Bringing Lacrosse to the Waterside School.

Lacrosse has been an important part of my life since I was young. I was so fortunate to have all of the equipment I needed and was able to learn from incredible coaches along the way. My journey has taught me so much about the value of hard work, the joy of a team, the rewards and disappointment of wins and defeat, and I want others to benefit from a similar experience.

When I learned the Waterside School in Stamford, Connecticut was excited about starting a lacrosse program, I jumped at the opportunity to help. Waterside is a pre-K through fifth-grade school that provides outstanding academic opportunities to students, regardless of income or circumstance, and I loved creating a new platform to teach its youngest students lacrosse. By having Pat Jackson coach clinics all spring, and with new and donated equipment given to the School, 2nd and 3rd graders at Waterside were exposed to my favorite sport. In addition, Pat offered tuition assistance to those who wanted to continue playing in the summer which was awesome. Several students continued the sport in the Summer of 2022, and I truly hope the program can continue at Waterside in the spring of 2023.

I sincerely hope some of these fantastic kids will stick with this sport or be inspired to try others, learning important lessons taught on the field. The Waterside School is now in a position to continue offering classes and coaching to its athletes!

It was an honor to be selected as a Henrik Lundqvist Foundation Young Ambassador and exciting to launch this Independent Service Project. I appreciate your generosity and support.

- Max Warden

Currently in its eighth year, the HLFYA program empowers young men & women who want to be changemakers in their communities and beyond.

The Henrik Lundqvist Foundation was founded in 2014 by New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and his wife Therese to make a difference in the lives of children and their families throughout the world, in the areas of health and education. The Young Ambassadors program was developed because HLF believes in the incredible power of young people to make a difference in the world and we want to give you a platform to do just that!

The HLF Young Ambassadors program is open to young men and women ages 12-18 who reside in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. HLFYAs are expected to fulfill the following program requirements:

1. Complete a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of community service (signed off on by a supervisor, teacher, coach, parent or guardian);
2. Complete one (1) independent service project in support of HLF’s mission;
3. Attend at least one (1) HLF-hosted event and/or service project (these projects will be hosted in New York City, at various locations and times throughout the year);
4. Make a short presentation to his/her class, team or other community group about HLF’s mission and his/her work as an HLFYA. All HLFYAs also commit to conducting themselves with integrity and make a promise to embody HLF’s ideals of hard work, determination, service and kindness to others.