Prudential Center Goes Gold for Bruins Foundation

BOSTON - Those in viewing range of the Prudential Center Tuesday night may have noticed a stylistic change at the top the 750-foot tall building.
Boston Bruins Foundation Director Bob Sweeney, Director of Health, Wellness, and Fitness John Whitesides, and forward Frank Vatrano joined first responders from area police and fire departments to flip the switch and light the top of the tower gold as part of "31 Nights of Light 2016." It was all done in support of the Boston Bruins Foundation's new Boston Bruins BFit initiative and its kickoff event the First Responder Challenge.

Boston Bruins BFit, described by Whitesides as an idea that came to his head a few years back when written on a napkin at dinner with Sweeney and Bruins Director of Community Relations Kerry Collins, was announced on Nov. 29 and aims to provide "approachable fitness and dietary education to promote healthier living" throughout New England.
The First Responder Challenge will be held on Jan. 22, 2017, at TD Garden. Firefighters, police officers, and EMTs from around New England will partake in an in-arena course where they will climb stairs and run concourse laps that will span the TD Garden's bowl, premium level, and balcony.
"It's a great way to come together as a firehouse or police station and come together as a team to raise money for 'The Hundred Club', which helps families who have lost a first responder in the line of duty," said Sweeney.
Vatrano, whose brother serves as a police officer in Springfield, Mass., knows all too well the dangers first responders face, and was more than happy to represent the Bruins and flip the Prudential Center light switch alongside some of Boston's heroes.
"My brother is a police officer, so I'm familiar with what they do every day and I really do appreciate everything they do for us to keep the community safe," Vatrano said.
Following the lighting of the Pru, a post-ceremony reception was held at the Top of the Hub restaurant, where Whitesides laid out Boston Bruins BFit and the upcoming First Responder Challenge.

Whitesides, who served as the Bruins strength and conditioning coach for 15 years before restructuring his role this past September, saw an easy partnership for BFit with the area police and fire departments, which require an intense fitness level to be effective in their roles.
"During the lockout in 2004-05], and the lockout again in 2013, up in Wilmington where our old training facility was, I worked with the Wilmington Fire Department," said Whitesides. "They took me in and I worked with them day in and day out for the whole season where we didn't have hockey."
In attendance for the reception was Wilmington Fire Captain Chuck Taylor, who fans may recognize from an episode of last season's "
[Behind the B"
.
Taylor became close friends with Whitesides during his stay with the fire department and has maintained close ties with the Bruins organization ever since.
"I can't say enough about what they've done for my town. It's been awesome," said Taylor, "I can't say enough about them. They're kind of like us. They're a team."

Taylor, whose energy and personality matches Whitesides step for step, heaped praise on his good friend and expressed his excitement at the launch of Boston Bruins BFit.
"I think it's an incredible program and I can't wait for it to take off," Taylor said of the new initiative.
"I'm just glad I was a part of the beginning of it and I hope John continues it."
All parties in attendance marveled at the exuberance with which Whitesides presented the new Boston Bruins BFit program.
Whitesides is embracing this career change and the chance to positively impact thousands of New England residents.
"I've been with the team for 15 years," Whitesides recalled. "I had a great time here. We won a Stanley Cup. We went to war with a lot of guys there. It was just a great time to do something on a bigger scale for all of these people in the community."
It's safe to say the community has taken notice.