Pittsburgh Penguins Team Up with PPG and Kamin Science Center for Sports360 Exhibition Opening in December 2025, the Kamin Science Center’s all-new Sports360 exhibition promises to redefine how visitors experience the connection between sports and science — and the Pittsburgh Penguins are playing a key role in bringing it to life. Spanning nearly 10,000 square feet, Sports360 will be the largest exhibition ever hosted at the Center. Designed to blend athleticism with innovation, the exhibit features 25 interactive stations that explore the physics, anatomy, and technology behind sports performance. Visitors will test their reaction time, balance, strength, and strategy — all while uncovering the scientific principles that power athletic achievement. The Penguins Foundation’s $100,000 grant, along with $25,000 from the Werner Family Foundation, helps highlight the science behind hockey, from the speed and accuracy of a slap shot to the engineering of protective gear and the physics of skating. Fans will be able to explore exhibits testing slap shot velocity, trying out arcade-style goalie simulators, and analyzing the motion and mechanics of the game. Through these hands-on experiences, guests of all ages will discover how
Hayes’ Heroes: Honoring First Responders To honor and recognize the sacrifices that first responders make for their communities, Penguins forward Kevin Hayes launched the Hayes’ Heroes program at the start of the 2024.25 season. At every Penguins home game, selected first responders receive two tickets, a special gift, and the opportunity to enjoy a post-game meet-and-greet with Hayes—a heartfelt gesture of appreciation for their service. The inspiration for Hayes’ Heroes dates back to his early NHL career in New York, when a team visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum motivated him to find a personal way to honor the families and first responders affected by tragedy. Over the years, the initiative has grown, traveling with Hayes from the Rangers to the Flyers and now to Pittsburgh, where it’s quickly become a game-night tradition. Hayes personally purchases the tickets and takes time to meet with each honoree after the game, win or lose, for conversation and photos. Many guests bring along “victory coins” or department patches to share—a symbol of mutual respect and gratitude. This season, Hayes and the Penguins also extended their support beyond Pittsburgh. During a January road game against the Kings, the team honored the Los Angeles Fire Department amid devastating wildfires, wearing LAFD hats and stickers to show solidarity. Through Hayes’ Heroes, the Penguins family celebrates the bravery, dedication, and everyday heroism of first responders—offering a memorable night of hockey as a small but meaningful way to say thank you. Website Refresh & Online Shop Launch This year, we unveiled a refreshed Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation website designed to make it easier than ever to connect with our work. The new site — pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org — features streamlined content, intuitive navigation, and a powerful search tool to help visitors quickly find programs and initiatives that match their interests. We also launched our first online store at shop.pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org, offering exclusive gear and merchandise. Every purchase supports the Foundation’s mission, making it simple for fans to give back while showing their Penguins pride.
Penguins Foundation and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Partner to Support Children in Foster Care The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to Pittsburgh- based Day Owl, matching Highmark Health’s $25,000 grant to provide 800 backpacks filled with necessities for children entering the foster care system in Western Pennsylvania. The initiative, part of Highmark Bright Blue Futures Community Day on February 22, reflects a collaborative effort to bring moments of comfort and stability to young people facing abrupt transitions. The backpacks were filled with personal care essentials, pajamas, books, blankets, and thoughtful gifts. The contents were donated in part by the Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit Comfort Cases and packed with the help of World Vision in Sewickley, PA. “Oftentimes, children in the foster care system may have to move homes quickly and may not have the opportunity to collect their personal effects and essentials,” said Yvonne Maher, Executive Director for the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. “These backpacks will provide necessities during a disruptive transitional period in their lives.” Backpacks were distributed to a network of local social service organizations supporting youth in foster care, including Every Child, Inc., Three Rivers Youth, Homeless Children’s Education Fund, A Child’s Place PA, Familylinks, A Second Chance, Inc., Greene County CYF, TRAC Services for Families, and Light of Life. By joining forces with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Day Owl, the Penguins Foundation continues its mission to create meaningful impact across the region— proving that small gestures, like a backpack filled with essentials, can carry a big message of care and support.
STEM and sports intersect both on and off the ice. The exhibition is structured around four key zones:
• Prepare – Warm up and uncover the science behind human movement. • Practice – Build skills and test basic abilities through interactive play. • Participate – Compete in simulated athletic challenges that bring science to life. • Go Pro! – Push your limits in advanced, high-energy experiences inspired by elite athletes. Whether you’re a lifelong Penguins fan or simply curious about what makes great athletes tick, Sports360 offers a unique chance to learn, move, and be inspired. Through the Penguins’ collaboration, the exhibit not only celebrates Pittsburgh’s rich sports legacy but also encourages a new generation to see science in action — one game at a time.
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Penguins Foundation Proud to Support Inaugural JCC Maccabi Campus Games in Pittsburgh This summer, Pittsburgh proudly hosted the inaugural JCC Maccabi Campus Games, the largest Jewish youth sporting event in the world. Nearly 2,000 Jewish teens and thousands of families gathered from August 3–8, 2025, for a weeklong celebration of sports, culture, and community pride.
Founded in 1982, the JCC Maccabi Games provide teens with more than just athletic competition. The program emphasizes sportsmanship, teamwork, Jewish values, and community service, all while promoting health, fitness, and cultural pride. As part of the celebration, the Penguins Foundation underscored its commitment to creating a welcoming environment both on and off the ice. “Hockey is for everyone,” the Foundation emphasized, aligning with the Games’ spirit of respect, unity, and inclusion. The JCC Maccabi Campus Games showcased not only the talent of young athletes but also the vibrancy of Pittsburgh’s culture and its tradition of community support— making the city a fitting stage for this historic event.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation was honored to represent our city as the Official Ice Hockey Sponsor, contributing a $25,000 grant to help bring the event to life,” said Executive Director Yvonne Maher. “Ice hockey is the fastest growing sport in the Maccabi Games, and we were proud to play our part.”
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