Our 2nd Quarter 2024 Newsletter is here!

Hello Martin,

We laugh and celebrate a record-breaking night, meet some inspiring recipients and get ready for our biggest event of the year.

Laughs and More

By Kelli Packard

What a night March 20 was! Stand Up for Dawg Nation raised a record $120,000 and exceeded all expectations as being our best Comedy Works event ever. The packed house held more NHL celebrities than a Stanley Cup Playoff.

We made a surprise $25,000 check presentation to Shawn Leonard, a recipient who defines the word fighter. Shawn is living with all the challenges inherent in working with a heart that’s functioning at a mere 15%. He’s awaiting a transplant.

Dawg Nation founder and CEO Martin Richardson is joined by (left to right) Mike McLean, Rob Holdaway, Shawn, Jim Holdaway and Nigel Richardson. Nigel is a heart transplant recipient.

The live auction featured the amazing items you’ve come to expect from Dawg Nation, including an impromptu donation by Debbie and Joe Sakic of their suite for an Avs game. The winning bid was $14,000!

Thanks to our amazing comics Josh Blue, John Novosad and Kevin Fitzgerald who brought the house down. Josh is with Apple Founder Steve Wozniak!

Our VIP list was off the charts. We were thrilled to host our dream team (left to right): Former NHL star Jan Hejda, current Avalanche defenceman Sam Girard, Avs coach Jared Bednar, NHL Hall of Famer Michel Goulet, Cappy, Josh Blue, Avs President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic, comics John Novosad and Kevin Fitzgerald, Steve and Janet Wozniak, and former Avs great Milan Hejduk.

We couldn’t do this without our remarkable sponsors and auction item donors, our talented and indefatigable volunteers, and YOU…the extraordinary individuals who make up the hockey community. Thank you, thank you and again, thank you.

Pay It Forward

In April, Green Sheen Paint hosted a recycling event where folks could drop off unused paint. Thanks to (left to right) Andrew, Rick, Luke, Patrick and the entire Green Sheen Paint team as they raised $1,500 and donated it to Dawg Nation! We look forward to teaming up with Green Sheen again soon!

Learn More About Green Sheen

In last quarter’s newsletter we told you about Tom and Angie Petersen. Tom has battled a rare form of blood cancer for 10 years and only recently returned home after a hospital stay. While watching over Tom, Angie has found time to enroll in a nursing program at Metro State University in Denver.

The 16-month nursing course matches the 16 lives lost in the Humboldt hockey team bus crash in Saskatchewan, Canada. Each month Angie and Tom receive a letter and framed tribute from parents who lost a son on April 6, 2018. And provided by Dawg Nation, there is also a $1,000 check to help the Petersen family during Angie’s studies. In April, during a visit with the Petersens we honored Parker Tobin (left) and Logan Hunter who died in the crash.

A Helping Paw

In April, the Dawgs welcomed Adam and Mike Dowling to Colorado. Adam is recovering from surgery for a brain tumor. Adam was a terrific hockey player in the St. Louis area. Dad Mike played a major role in bringing sled hockey to St. Louis.

We presented Adam with a check for $20,000 from our Dawg Nation St. Louis Branch to help with skyrocketing medical bills. Congratulations to all who made the Winter Classic in Missouri a success leading to our check for Adam. Our St. Louis chapter is growing and continues to be a lifeline to hockey families in the Midwest!

In March, the Dawgs travelled to Edmonton to meet Mike and Leah Stelter. Their son Benny died from brain cancer in 2022 and now Mike is fighting cancer. The Dawgs surprised the Stelters with a check for $10,000. “Thank you to all that continue to make the world a better place,” a choked-up Martin Richardson told the group. “We simply can’t do it without all of you!”

Mark Borgen has played hockey for over 20 years. The Minnesota native is a big Boston Bruins fan who suffered a severe shoulder injury during a game. Mark couldn’t work and medical bills kept coming. In February, the Dawgs and Mark’s teammates surprised him with a check for $11,000 that will provide for physical therapy and more. Borgs continues to recover and hopes to be back on skates soon.

Mila Ekstrom is five and was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Her brother, Sebastian, and his “Scrappy Dawgs” hockey teammates were quick to come to her aid. Scrappy Dawgs played in the 9280 Pond Hockey event at Keystone Ski Area in January.

The Scrappy Dawgs raised $1000. Folks like you donated another $1,000 and Dawg Nation added $6,000 for a very special check to help Mila’s family. Mila is currently receiving chemotherapy. She's with dad Gavin, brother Sebastian and mom Amber.

Onward!

Congratulations to the Denver University hockey team. In April, the Pioneers won the NCAA Championship for a record 10^th time. Three players from the team, Sean Behrens, Massimo Rizzo and Shai Buium, have already signed professional contracts.

"I can’t wait to see their next chapters," enthused Cap. "We have all seen their incredible work on the ice, but I’ve also witnessed their incredible work off the ice. This trio consistently steps up for others with videos, pictures, visits and encouraging words. I could not be more proud to call them my Dawgs! Cheers boys, best of luck!"

The Dawg Father is with DU stars (left to right): Sean Behrens, former DU Player Lane Krenzen, Aiden Thompson and Massimo Rizzo. All are longtime friends of the Dawgs, having played in previous Dawg Bowls. Perhaps they’ll return this year to once again play on the Top Dawgs, the premiere Dawg Nation team!

Coming Up

The 14^th annual Dawg Bowl takes center stage at Edge Ice Arena June 19-23. A near record 56 teams and over 1,000 players will compete for titles in 8 divisions. Sled, blind hockey teams and special needs players will skate in exhibition games.

The theme of this year’s Dawg Bowl will be our support of first responders and their families.

Not to be missed is the Survivor Game. It features players who have overcome injury or illness to return to the game they love. In many cases, participants say it is the chance to be in this game that fueled their recovery.

No auction tops a Dawg Bowl auction for off the charts one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and you can bid online! Enjoy the food trucks, contests and live music throughout the weekend.

Led by Mike and Suzanne Shaw, Shaw Hockey Productions is back streaming even more games including one from every team as well as all platinum games, championship games, exhibition games, and the Survivor Game. Check our website for games and times.

Last Shot!

The Sons of the American Revolution is an organization that honors Revolutionary War patriots. The Sons serve the community, educate and inspire future generations.

In March, members presented Cap with the Silver Good Citizenship Medal, which recognizes outstanding service to the community. Marty, with Curt Ledall, said it was an award to be shared with everyone who has helped make Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation the amazing organization it is today.

Congratulations Marty!