Garden of Dreams Foundation to Host Second Annual 'Garden of Dreams Week'

The Garden of Dreams Foundation is coming together with The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) and MSG Networks to host the second annual Garden of Dreams Week. From December 1 - 8, children from across the tri-state area will enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences - including becoming honorary members of the Knicks and Rangers and participating in game-night activities, and learning choreography from the world-renowned Rockettes. The week will also feature the unveiling of a newly refurbished gymnasium at the SCO Family Services Ottilie Residential Treatment Facility, and a Day of Service for employees of MSG and MSG Networks.

Garden of Dreams works with MSG and MSG Networks to help children facing obstacles such as homelessness, extreme poverty, illness and foster care. Since it began in 2006, the Foundation has used the magic of these two companies - which include the Rangers, Knicks, Liberty, Rockettes, famed showplaces and two sports and entertainment television networks - to brighten the lives of these deserving children.

On Tuesday, December 1, Garden of Dreams will host a ribbon cutting event to unveil its largest community project to date -- a completely refurbished gymnasium at the SCO Family of Services Ottilie Residential Treatment Facility in Briarwood, Queens. The completed project, provided through a grant of nearly $230,000, includes a new gymnasium floor and scoreboard; fresh paint throughout the entire facility; new vinyl tile flooring; additional lighting; new windows that provide natural light and upgraded heating and air conditioning systems, is the latest example of the Foundation's commitment to support tangible, targeted community projects.

Fans coming to The Garden to watch the Knicks on December 2 and the Rangers on December 3 will witness for themselves the talent and bravery of the Garden of Dreams children, who will sing the national anthem, act as guest PA announcers and perform musical numbers. Before each game, there will be a ceremony honoring one of the Foundation's children as they become honorary Knicks and Rangers for the evening.

Among other activities during Garden of Dreams Week, on December 4, the Knicks will present the Perez family of Brooklyn, whose son Nicholas was a Garden of Dreams child who passed away last year, with the Sweetwater Clifton "City Spirit" award for all of their outstanding work in the community and on December 7, a group of children affiliated with the Foundation will participate in a private Rockettes dance class at Radio City Music Hall.

Throughout the week, employees of MSG and MSG Networks will help support these many events and, on December 8, will take part in an employee Day of Service. On this day, volunteers will work alongside Knicks, Rangers and Liberty legends and the Rockettes to make blankets for children's hospitals; wrap baby bundles (diapers, bottles, pacifiers) for young women who are mothers and living in local foster care; and create holiday cookie baking jars for families from the Foundation's community-based organizations.

Outlined below is a complete itinerary of events for the week:

Tuesday, December 1

SCO Family of Services Ottilie Residential Treatment Facility Gymnasium Refurbishment Unveil

· Garden of Dreams will unveil a completely refurbished gymnasium at the SCO Family of Services Ottilie Residential Treatment Facility in Briarwood, Queens, featuring new floors, scoreboard, windows, lighting and paint.

Wednesday, December 2

New York Knicks Garden of Dreams Awareness Night

· One special child from Garden of Dreams will be recognized as an honorary Knicks player for the game.

· Children will be given the opportunity to participate in every aspect of the in-game experience - from singing the national anthem to performing musical numbers to serving as a guest announcer.

Thursday, December 3
New York Rangers Garden of Dreams Awareness Night

· One special child from Garden of Dreams will be recognized as an honorary Rangers player for the game.

· Children will be given the opportunity to participate in every aspect of the in-game experience - from singing the national anthem to performing musical numbers to serving as a guest announcer.

Friday, December 4

Garden of Dreams Family will be awarded the Knicks Sweetwater Clifton "City Spirit" Award at the Knicks game.

· The Perez Family of Brooklyn, whose son Nicholas was a Garden of Dreams child who passed away last year, will be presented with this honor for all of their incredible work in the community, including the start of a scholarship and their participation in many volunteer activities.

Monday, December 7

Children from Garden of Dreams will participate in a private Rockettes dance class at Radio City Music Hall

· Children will get to the opportunity to learn some choreography from the famed dancers themselves.

Monday, December 8

The Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks "Day of Service"

· Employees will work alongside the Rockettes, and Knicks, Rangers and Liberty alumni to help make it a warmer and more joyful winter for Garden of Dreams children.