4th Quarter 2018 Newsletter

Greetings!

We welcome two of Humboldt's best, pay tribute to a donor hero and introduce you to an old friend who is pursuing his passion.

Remembering Sean

I (Jeff Kingery, your editor) met Sean Gagnon at a Rockies game several years ago. He was battling ALS, but could talk and we had a terrific time laying out the pros and cons of a Rox playoff run.

Sean’s condition worsened over the next few years. His ability to think and his spirit never did. Sean died Monday, November 6. He was 35. I never thought of Sean as my friend with ALS. He was my friend.

Sean took an immediate interest in a movie I am directing. He was tireless in his quest to learn about filmmaking. Sean had several good ideas regarding the script, changes we’ve already made. He became an expert on Formula 1 auto racing after I turned him on to the sport. Our last day together was October 28 as we watched a race.

If we are successful in making the movie, I’d like to think that Sean will have the best seat in the house for the premiere.

Sean (with dad Larry) wrote a monthly blog for Dawg Nation and helped Cap on several major projects with his ideas. Sean used an “eye gaze" control system to write. His eye movement selected letters and words. Sean said it was a huge honor to contribute. "It's great to feel like I have a purpose again. You kind of lose that when you can't go anywhere. Very thankful for Martin to include me."

"I think back and cherish every second that I have had the privilege to spend with Gags over the last few years," said Richardson. "I will dearly miss our weekly meetings and there is definitely a empty space in my heart."

All of us who knew Sean feel the same way.

Sean (4th from left) was a hockey player before the insidious disease and one of his blogs was about his days as a player.

Click HERE to read it.

Dawgs and Pioneers

November 23rd is Dawg Nation night at the University of Denver. DU takes on Providence at 7:07. During the first intermission, Dawg Nation will host a sled hockey exhibition game that will include members of the Warrior Avs (disabled vets), Colorado Sled Hockey and the USA Paralympic team.

Dawg Nation will also welcome Humboldt Bronco survivors Ryan Straschnitzki (r) and Jacob Wassermann. Both were paralyzed in the April bus crash that killed 16 of their friends and teammates. Ryan and Jacob have taken up sled hockey and will be on the ice together for the first time since the accident.

The Dawg Father, Martin Richardson said, "Be prepared to witness an emotional and powerful moment that will leave you with a greater understanding of why we do what we do."

Join us and cheer on DU, Ryan and Jacob and all of our sled hockey stars.

A big thank you to United Airlines and Marriott who paid the airfare and lodging for Jacob and Ryan.

DU Tickets

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Jacob and Ryan will be guests of honor at the Avs game against Dallas on Saturday, November 24. The game marks the return of DN ambassador and former DU coach, Jim Montgomery (above with Cap) who now coaches the Stars. Ryan and Jacob have been asked by the Avs to drop the ceremonial first puck! The Avs have also made discounted tickets available.

Avalanche Discounted Tickets

Dawgs Loose on the Fairways

The 8th Annual Tee It Up event at the beautiful Lakewood Country Club raised over $80,000 that the Dawgs will use to help those in need in the Colorado hockey community.

The Dawgs honored Matt Martinez with a special check presentation. Matt is a single father of two boys, one of whom is disabled. Last year he donated a kidney to Dave Repsher. Matt has had some health issues in the wake of that surgery. Thanks to the golfers, sponsors and an anonymous donor, Dawg Nation was able to present Matt with a check for $24,000! Doing the honors (left to right) Cap, board member Todd Gerhke, Matt and Dave Repsher.

A special shout out to Greg Ahbe and TAG Insurance our tournament sponsor for all 8 years, and to all our other sponsors as well.

On the Bench with Beeks!

Cody Beekman suffered a life changing accident in 2011 that left him paralyzed. Today, Cody is following his passion and attending Metro State University pursuing a degree in journalism. He is a talented story teller and he’s now writing a blog for Dawg Nation.

"On the Bench with Beeks" will focus on collegiate and professional hockey. His first story for us is about his childhood hero Milan Hejduk. Hedgie (right, with Dave Repsher, Cody and Cap) is a Dawg Nation ambassador and board member.

Click HERE to enjoy the story.

A Helping Paw

Giving back is what Dawg Nation is all about. In seven years we've helped over 100 families in times of need with over $1,300,000 in recipient aid.

Mitch Pijanowski is the son of Mike, one of the founding fathers of Dawg Nation. He recently took a high stick that resulted in a nasty cut and several stitches. The timing was unfortunate as Mitch was right in between a short gap in his insurance coverage. Dawg Nation couldn’t stop the pain, but was able to help Mitch pay a few bills. Dawg Nation board member Dave Chamberlain (in red) made the presentation.

Jason Shepperly was honored with the “Bronze Star with Valor” for his actions in battle that saved his life and the lives of several other U.S. soldiers. Shep is now a member of the Warrior Avs sled hockey team. Sadly, he was about to hand in his equipment because of the high cost of the upcoming sled season. The Dawgs, along with former Av Scott Parker, surprised Shep with a check to cover his 2018-19 hockey dues.

Don Graham was a husband, father and hockey referee. In May Don suffered a fatal heart attack doing what he loved the most, riding his bike in the Rocky Mountains. After his referee buddies staged a memorial ride, Don’s family was surprised with a check for $6,600 from the Dawgs. Jana (with baby), Don’s wife of 37 years, wants to pay forward a portion of that.

Dawg Nation joined forces with several local fire departments to honor one of their fallen heroes. Mike Rosado died in May. He was devoted to his wife, Codi (in white), and their two beautiful daughters. He was a reliable teammate and a friend you could count on. Dawg Nation joined our firefighting friends in the presentation of a check for $11,700 to the family.

Paying it Forward

We thank the Colorado Avalanche who, for the third straight year, made Dawg Nation the charity recipient of close to $5,000 from their 5K run-walk-skate in September.

The Dawgs in turn, led by Marty and Milan Hejduk, surprised Chuck Zachrich with a check to help with medical bills following a bicycle accident that left him with a fractured skull.

We thank Andy Hackbarth and his band for generously choosing Dawg Nation as the recipient of his benefit show in October at the Hard Rock Cafe in Denver. Andy donated his time and album sales to our cause!

Follow Andy and the band HERE.

Thanks to all of you who voted. We finished 2nd and received $10,000! The Plante Moran Cares Charity Contest is designed to help Colorado-based not-for-profits increase their visibility. They must have a primary mission that involves helping people in one of the following categories: arts and culture, education, youth development, the environment, social services, or community development. “Special thanks to Plante Moran,” said the Dawgfather. “And to everyone that voted, promoted, shared, and did everything they could to help us prove once again the power of the hockey community!”