(Caps Outsider)
Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation hosted its annual Pick-A-Stick on Tuesday when the Caps hosted the Detroit Red Wings. Player autographed sticks were sold at the MSE Foundation table behind section 104, starting when doors opened at 6:30 p.m. Each stick was autographed by a Caps player; that is, almost every stick. Some very lucky fans purchased a stick that was not autographed and they had the pleasure of meeting Caps right wing T.J. Oshie. He signed their sticks personally after the game.
Always a very popular and profitable fundraiser, fans flocked to the MSE Foundation table to purchase sticks. Each fan was limited to two sticks, which sold for $75 apiece.
Daryl Martin of Pittsburgh was in town for the game. He recently retired from his job at the Washington Post and moved to Pennsylvania. A Caps season holder in the past, he had never participated in Pick-A-Stick but he picked one of the unsigned sticks. “I did it for charity,” said Martin. “I’m really excited to meet T.J. Oshie.”
“I am a huge Caps and sports fan. I collect all kinds of sports memorabilia,” said Tiffany Warren of Gambrills, Md. ‘Plus, it’s great to do it for charity. It’s a win-win.”
The Pick-a-Stick program benefits The Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation supports the charitable efforts of the Capitals (Caps Care), Mystics and Wizards throughout the Washington metropolitan area. This annual campaign is one of the many Caps Care programs. Last year, Pick-a-Stick raised over $18,000. A similar MSE Foundation campaign, Fall Puck Surprise, recently raised $18,000 to support the foundation. This year’s Pick-A-Stick proved to be equally successful raising over $18,000 once again.
Oshie was all smiles as he greeted the Pick-A-Stick winners. He has just netted a shootout goal to help the Caps beat the Red Wings 3-2.
“It’s important to keep in touch with the fans,” said Oshie as he signed the winners’ sticks. “It’s good to get involved with the fans on a more personal level, even if it’s briefly like this.”
The Washington Capitals organization is dedicated to supporting local charities and nonprofit organizations through the donation of Caps memorabilia. Ted Leonsis is the founder, chairman, majority owner and CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment.
