GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Griffins are hosting their first-ever "Love Your Melon" game this coming Friday night at Van Andel Arena.
The team has a new partnership with "Love Your Melon," which is a company that makes beanies and donates half of the profits to pediatric cancer research.
On Tuesday, two Griffins players, forward Colin Campbell and team captain Matthew Ford, passed out beanies to patients at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.
The players signed autographs and had pictures taken with the kids. They also played video and board games and bubble hockey.
"I don't really think I come in [this hospital] as a hockey player," said Matthew Ford, Griffins captain. "I just come in here as myself and try to enjoy a little bit of time with these kids and maybe try to get their minds off of why they're here."
Other area locations welcomed Griffins players Tuesday, too. Dylan McIlrath and Wade Megan visited patients at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center, while Brian Lashoff and Trevor Hamilton played with kids at the Boys & Girls Club - Paul I. Phillips location.
Fans who visit the Griffins website can contribute to the cause because a portion of the proceeds from each ticket purchased through the link will be donated to pediatric cancer research.
Additionally, for each ticket purchased, a beanie will be donated to a child undergoing treatment.
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