ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Blues for Kids, the St. Louis Blues’ program for children, is introducing a new initiative to support literacy and reading in its local community.

Louie’s Little Free Library is the latest addition to Blues for Kids. The Blues and local youth hockey associations are teaming up to bring customized St. Louis Blues-themed book nooks to community ice rinks. 

Devon Furash, the senior coordinator of St. Louis Blues community development, told The Heartlander the purpose of the new book exchange program is to improve book accessibility and promote a love for reading within the community.

Front office staff members donated the books for the program. The books will cover a variety of genres, including educational ones.

Book nooks are being distributed to Maryville University Ice Rink, Centene Community Ice Center, East Alton Ice Arena and McKendree Metro Rec Plex. 

The Blues have an array of incredible programs that support children in the community. The organization each summer hosts In the Library with Louie, featuring the Blues’ mascot.

The Blues team up with St. Louis County Public Libraries to encourage reading and foster a healthy lifestyle in kids. Kids ages 2-11 learn how Louie and his friends stay healthy throughout the hockey season.

“Louie goes out and teaches kids to learn how to score goals in life, to keep happy, healthy and learn how to read,” Furash said. “It is an every-summer event, and hopefully more (dates) will be added next year.”

The Blues Bookworms program is a free reading program for grades K-6 in the greater St. Louis area. The program is active from Oct. 1 to March 31. Participating classrooms will be given bookmarks for every student, and a Blues Bookworms poster for the classroom. Prizes for classrooms and individuals are up for grabs for teachers and students who participate.

The Future Goals program is a free and fun online course which is part of a hockey scholar program that works with Science, technology, engineering and mathematics to keep students engaged at home or in the classroom. Children can enhance their STEM skills by participating in online interactive hockey math games and other sports activities through the program.

The Little Blues is a low-cost program that allows kids to have a real hockey experience, and is in partnership with the National Hockey League and NHLPA. The six-week introduction into hockey is intended for children who have not participated in organized youth hockey before. 

The Girls Development Program follows the same guidelines, and is available for female hockey players. 

The Street Blues program provides street hockey during both the school year and summer. The program aims to familiarize kids in grades 1-8 with the sport of hockey.

The St. Louis Blues and Ameren Missouri have once again teamed up for the Power Play Goals for Kids program, marking the seventh consecutive season. Ameren Missouri donated $500 to the Super Sam Foundation for each power-play goal the Blues scored in the 2022-23 regular season, totaling $32,500.

The Super Sam Foundation was established to provide funding for the critical research gap in pediatric cancer.

Save the date for the Blues for Kids Summer Soiree event on Friday, Sept. 13. Participants will kick off the weekend with food, cocktails, live entertainment and an exclusive preview of the 2024-25 Blues season.

The Blues for Kids Golf Classic will begin on Monday, Sept. 16. A Blues celebrity will be paired with every group of three golfers. Golfers will indulge in premium gifts, course competitions, breakfast, post-golf awards and cocktails.

“It invites a lot of our sponsors and bigger supporters to come out and play 18 holes with some of the players, coaches and broadcast staff. It gives you a more personal experience behind-the-scenes of hockey and getting to learn the personalities of the Blues and also just supporting our foundation, which in turn allows us to give back to the community every year with our grants,” Furash added.

Some of the Blues players have created their own special programs to give back to kids in the community by donating tickets and suites to children and families associated with charitable organizations in the St. Louis area. To learn more about the player programs, visit the website.