P.K. Subban Donates $10 Million To Montreal Children’s Hospital, Atrium Named For Habs Defenceman
On Wednesday, September 16, Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban donated $10 million to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. The $10 million comes from Subban’s foundation, and will be paid out over seven years, in part, for a fund called P.K.’s Helping Hands, which Subban has set up to help families facing financial stress while dealing with a child’s illness.
Subban, a Toronto, Ontario, native, considers Montreal, Quebec — where he plays for the Montreal Canadiens — his second home, and he cites his love for the city as one of his main reasons for wanting to donate such a significant amount of money to the Children’s Hospital, reports ESPN.
“Montreal has become my second home. Montrealers have taken me into their hearts. And I hope to remain here for a very long time. My love for Montreal is why I wanted to make a significant contribution to this city and to this province.”
According to Global News, Subban’s generous donation of $10 millions is the largest charitable donation by a sports figure or professional athlete in Canadian history.
An official announcement of Subban’s donation, as well as the unveiling of the hospital atrium renamed in his honor, was made on Wednesday at the hospital. Though Subban was stuck in traffic and thus late for the beginning of the announcement, reports CBC, he made it in time to walk into a standing ovation and chants of “P.K.! P.K.!” coming from the crowd gathered to watch the unveiling. Subban says he was speechless.
Seeing my name in the atrium gave me goosebumps! It's an honor to be able to partner with #MontrealChildrensHospital. pic.twitter.com/MlG0hS10ny
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) September 16, 2015
“As I was walking out of the backroom, I noticed the P.K. Subban lettering up there and I got goosebumps. It’s not too many times I get goosebumps in what I do playing hockey for a very long time in front a lot of people. That’s probably the only time I got goosebumps in a long time. The P.K. Subban Atrium is not only my footprint to the city but, more importantly, it is my sole promise to give back to those who have given me so much”
In attendance at the hospital announcement were Subban’s parents and sisters; Michel Lacroix, head announcer of the Canadiens; and Élise Béliveau, the wife of late Canadiens legend Jean Béliveau, who Subban mentioned in his speech.
“I am proud to walk in the footsteps of my idol, Jean Béliveau.”
The new P.K. Subban Atrium, opened as a result of Subban’s $10 million donation, will be a large public space within the Montreal Children’s Hospital, and his substantial donation will surely help hundreds, if not thousands, of families in need in the coming years.
[Image Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images]
