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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Detroit Red Wings Announce #MIKidsCan Goalie Helmet Design Contest Winner

Erica Stamatoulakis

| 3 min read

Helmet and ice skates
DETROIT, April 23, 2021 — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Red Wings today announced the #MIKidsCan Detroit Red Wings helmet design contest winner: five-year-old Drew McCarty from Kalkaska, Mich. Detroit Red Wings goalie Jonathan Bernier selected the winning helmet design and will wear it at tomorrow’s home game on April 24. Bernier selected McCarty’s design from 113 statewide entries. Kids 5-15 were encouraged to design a helmet that is Red Wings-themed using creativity and originality. Four finalists were also selected and will receive a Bernier-autographed item. Bernier’s helmet made its rounds globally as it was painted in Sweden by artist David Gunnarsson and padded in Canada. As part of McCarty’s winning prizes, he will get to keep Bernier’s designed and autographed helmet and attend a Detroit Red Wings game. The helmet design contest was sponsored in part by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s #MIKidsCan program, an initiative focused on encouraging kids to adopt healthy habits early in life that are more likely to be carried into adulthood, such as participating in 60 minutes of physical activity per day and making healthier food choices. “Congratulations to Drew McCarty on his winning helmet design,” said Andrew Hetzel, vice president of Corporate Communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “We see Drew’s enthusiasm for hockey shown in his artwork and while it has been an unconventional time for all of us throughout the pandemic, we can still come together to celebrate pastimes like sports. Our #MIKidsCan program is only made possible and successful with partners like the Detroit Red Wings, who help keep children engaged in sports and fitness, and reminded of proper nutrition.” “We want to congratulate Drew McCarty, and thank all of the kids that entered this amazing contest,” said Molly Wurdack-Folt, vice president of Corporate Partnerships Activation for the Detroit Red Wings. “We can’t wait to see Jonathan Bernier sporting his newest helmet design, and hopefully leading the Red Wings to a big win!” For more information on Blue Cross’ ongoing efforts to help improve childhood health, visit AHealthierMichigan.org/MIKidsCan or follow #MIKidsCan on Twitter. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals and seniors for 80 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBluesPerspectives.com.
MI Blues Perspectives is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association