Zubrus is the only Lithuanian ice hockey player on the world's strongest ice hockey league NHL. In 2008, he established a charity foundation in Lithuania, which works with promotion of ice hockey among children and youth in Lithuania. The athlete also founded the National Children's Ice Hockey League and serves as its president.

"Taking care of the young generation of Lithuania, its employment and healthy lifestyle is a duty for everyone of us. Active public activities of famous people is an inspiration for young people, which promotes responsibility and concern, aspiration to work for the benefit of Lithuania," Grybauskaitė said in a press release.

Zubrus was awarded on the occasion of the Statehood Day, but the athlete could not be present at the President's Office on July 6.

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