PHILADELPHIA, PA— In a poignant tribute to John and Matt Gaudreau, the inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K Walk/Run and Family Day brought together thousands to raise over $500,000 for an accessible playground at Archbishop Damiano School, where their mother Jane Gaudreau and sister Kristen work.
The event, held in May at Washington Lake Park in southern New Jersey, was deeply meaningful to the local community, as it was situated in a place where the brothers spent countless hours growing up, just a short distance from Hollydell Ice Arena, their first hockey rink.
More than 1,100 participants joined the walk, with an additional 1,100 participating virtually from across the U.S., Canada, and around the world, reflecting the brothers’ impact on the hockey community and beyond.
The funds raised from this event, along with contributions made in John and Matt’s honor, successfully met the financial requirements for the playground initiative, a cause dear to their hearts and inspired by their late grandmother, Marie Gaudreau, who dedicated 44 years to the school before her passing in 2023.
Groundbreaking for the playground is slated for late August or early September, with plans for a community build set to commence on October 4.
Despite initial concerns about a tornado watch the evening prior to the event, everything went smoothly, surprising many in attendance after a rainy forecast.
Gaudreau expressed gratitude for the overwhelming turnout, stating, “So many people asked us if we’re going to do it again next year. It was such an outpouring of love and care, so much for the boys in our family.”
In response to the community’s interest, the next Gaudreau Family 5K Walk is tentatively scheduled for May 16, 2026.
Tragically, the brothers’ lives were cut short last August, just before their sister’s wedding, when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in New Jersey.
The playground project has been a labor of love initiated by principal Michele McCloskey back in October 2020, enduring through years of fundraising efforts.
The outpouring of support from friends, fellow hockey players, and the community has been instrumental in propelling the project forward, as stories highlighting the brothers’ contributions to the community have inspired many to contribute to the cause.
“We heard so much from everyone about how much they appreciated everything (the brothers) did for the community, and they turned around and helped us out,” Gaudreau noted with warmth.
The initiative not only aims to enhance the quality of life for students at Archbishop Damiano School but also to honor the legacy of the Gaudreau brothers who volunteered their time at the school during hockey off-seasons.
The new playground area has been mapped out, and necessary equipment is already on order. However, the Gaudreaus are still in need of various construction materials, including 175 tons of crushed concrete and beach sand, to make the dream a reality.
“It’s just planning out our community build, which we’ll need assistance on,” Gaudreau explained, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the project.
Archbishop Damiano School, founded in 1968, serves children with special needs, specifically focusing on those with Down syndrome. The school currently accommodates 125 students aged 3 to 21.
Jane Gaudreau’s brother was an alumnus of the school, and the family’s connection runs deep, with Jane herself being a finance associate since 1984 and Kristen teaching there for nearly two decades. Meanwhile, Katie, who recently married, previously volunteered to assist the students, with John and Matt also contributing their time when hockey commitments allowed them.
This event and the playground project embody the unwavering spirit of the Gaudreau family, illustrating how they continue to impact their community even in the face of tragedy.
As preparations for the playground progress, the Gaudreaus remain focused on ensuring that John and Matt’s legacy will resonate through the joy and accessibility the playground will provide for future generations.
image source from：patch
