Evgeni Malkin, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ player, continues his philanthropic efforts with the ‘I’m Score for Kids’ initiative that benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in Pittsburgh and Morgantown. Malkin, who considers Pittsburgh his second home, initiated this effort after re-signing with the Penguins in the summer of 2022.
“It’s very important for me. I play here 19 years,” Malkin said. The hockey player contributes $710 for each regular-season point, equating to $35,500 for the season after scoring 50 points in 68 games. Local McDonald’s restaurants match his donations, bringing the total contribution to $71,000.
Malkin took inspiration from teammate Sidney Crosby and made it a point to present the donation in person at RMHC, adjacent to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, despite his summer plans. “Players from the NHL try to do their best for charity, (as) team, individual… I see what Sid has done, I try learning, and now I know how important it is to be here today,” Malkin explained.
The initiative’s name, “I’m Score for Kids”, is a nod to a memorable moment when Malkin, upon scoring a hat trick in 2009, charmingly said “I’m score” in his post-game interview. This phrase symbolizes his journey from overcoming language barriers to growing into a prominent figure in Pittsburgh.
While reflecting on the initiative, Malkin expressed his desire to contribute more in the future. “I hope next year, I score a little bit more points and get more money, because the more I score, the more money and help to more families,” he stated.
Eleanor Reigel, CEO of RMHC of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, praised Malkin’s involvement. “It’s really important to think about not just the monetary donation – which is very important, obviously, to help with operations – but to bring awareness to what we do each and every day for the families that we support during the time they are seeking medical care for their children,” she said.
Over three years, the collaboration between Malkin and local McDonald’s restaurants has resulted in $284,000 of donations to RMHC, strengthening the community ties and offering crucial support to families during challenging times.
