Greetings!
Dawg Bowl X celebrates heroes and champions and we meet amazing recipients and supporters.
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Dawg Bowl - Hockey and More! |
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Dawg Bowl X was easily the biggest fund-raising event in our history. We raised over $250,000 to help those in the hockey community.
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Vice Chairman
Greg Clinard
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Executive Director
Mike Freeman and Cap
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Jennifer Simpson and board member Dave Chamberlin |
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Laurie Sauve and board member Bill Miller |
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“It was the most rewarding event we’ve ever had,” said Dawg Nation CEO Martin Richardson. “It was our most challenging, but also the one we are most proud of.
While frustrating at times as we dealt with COVID-19 concerns…we all had fun!"
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48 teams skated for 7 division titles, there was TV coverage for the first time. Sled hockey was front and center and the auction presented all bidders with hundreds of collectibles. |
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Luke Jones survived a life threatening accident when he was 18 months old.
Doctors feared for his life and if he recovered, Luke was not expected to be able to talk…let alone sing.
Luke is now 42 and his powerful rendition of the National Anthem set the stage for an emotional weekend.
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The Dawgs’ mission is to help those in the hockey community. At Dawg Bowl, the Dawgs handed out checks totaling $131,000! Dave Carr received $50,000 to cover ongoing medical bills stemming from a June 5th auto crash that left him with multiple injuries.
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Two days later, on June 7th, Tony Cozza was involved in a motorcycle accident resulting in a badly injured leg and other serious injuries. The Dawgs were able to present Tony with a check for $70,000 to cover many expenses.
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At the presentation, a grateful Tony said to Dave, “Our stories are so similar. I could tell yours and you could tell mine.” Both hope to return to playing hockey soon.
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Shannon Valerio is the long-time hockey photographer for the Denver University Pioneers. Her husband recently passed away after a long battle with cancer. We presented Shannon a check for $6,000 to help with hospice expenses.. |
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Kim Hermberg is a rec league hockey player who has battled the silent disease...severe depression. Kim has talked openly about her fight in the hopes that it will help others who are facing similar issues. Like any medical expense, mental health treatment is not cheap. The Dawgs helped Kim with a check for $5,000. |
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For the first time in Dawg Bowl history, friends, family and fans could see the games on the internet through Dawg Nation TV on our web page. Mike and Suzanne Shaw and Shaw Hockey productions provided HD quality, multiple camera coverage with pre and postgame interviews.
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The Dawg Father joined play-by-play announcer Manny Furtado, to call the action.
Since attendance at Dawg Bowl was limited to participants and staff because of COVID-19, the coverage came at the perfect time.
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Viewers around the world watched Dawg Bowl. Dawg Nation board member and former Avs star Jan Hejda (center) played in Dawg Bowl. Jan’s family watched him in action from their home in the Czech Republic. |
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The Survivor Game is the highlight of any Dawg Bowl weekend. Out of concern for the players' health during the pandemic, the game was postponed. The Survivor Game is exactly what the name implies. Those who have overcome catastrophic injury or illness return to play the game they love. Most of the participants will tell you the thought of returning to the ice was a major factor driving them in their recovery. The Dawgs hope to play the Survivor Game this fall. |
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Giving back is what Dawg Nation is all about. In nine years we've helped over 160 families with more than $1,900,000 in recipient aid. |
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At 16, Zach Vaughn has suffered multiple concussions that put his hockey career with the Littleton Hawks and his life on hold. In May, the Dawgs presented Zach and his family with a check for $4,000 for expenses. And thanks to renowned Dr. Jeff McWhorter, Zach now has a detailed recovery plan. Since beginning treatments Zach is now back on the ice as a coach for the Hawks.
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In June we surprised a very deserving Tony Salazar with a check for $3,000 to help offset his mounting medical costs. Tony was looking at a promising career on the ice when blood clots led to a series of heart attacks. His fight is not over as Tony was recently back in the hospital with blood clots in his lungs.
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In July, we presented Mike Ellis with a check for $4,600. Mike has struggled with concussions sustained during his playing days. With a huge assist again from Dr. Jeff McWhorter (picture on left in blue with Mike Freeman) Mike Ellis has a plan in place that we hope will get him back on the ice.
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Over the course of our nine and a half year history we have seen countless generous souls reach out to help us help others. |
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Justin Chalfant is a rec league hockey player and a long time admirer of the work done by Dawg Nation. Recently, he presented Martin Richardson with a generous check. When Cap learned Justin had never played in a Dawg Bowl he extended an invitation. And what an invite! Martin placed Justin on the powerhouse Mainline West Top Dawgs led by former NHL stars Milan Hejduk, Jan Hejda and Brett Clark.
Shaking off some warmup nerves, Justin came through big time setting up Hejduk for a goal and scoring one off a pass from the NHL Hall of Famer. Justin was named the "Star of the Game" and the team signed his #7 sweater. If that wasn't enough, Justin's family saw the game on Dawg Nation TV. Justin has since made another wonderful donation that lets us continue to help others.
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Anthony Cuevas resides in California and has never attended a Dawg Nation event. As a young father he was deeply touched by the Shelby Otto story and how Dawg Nation came to her aid as she battled for her life in January. Seeing a gap in the hockey market for a quality youth stick, Anthony started “Infamous Hockey” as a way to fill that need. He donated two of the very first sticks off the assembly line to us. The Dawg Father closed the deal by personally delivering the sticks to Shelby (r) and Porter Johnson another hockey hero who is battling cancer.
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Watching Dawg Bowl, we saw 3 sled hockey games including a kids level exhibition. These athletes do not consider themselves disabled. Rather, the facilities that they play at aren’t equipped to handle their needs. Imagine getting off the ice only to find the dasher. Or locker facilities and more designed only for able bodied players. That’s where the Dawg Nation Arena comes in. It’s designed for ALL skaters! |
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If you follow Dawg Nation, you follow Dave and Amanda Repsher. Their story of strength, courage, love, friendship and survival was told in “DREP - The Movie.” Dawg Nation hosted a sneak preview of this powerful documentary in January. Now, "DREP – The Movie" will have its world premiere at the prestigious Breckenridge Film Festival, September 17-20. Congratulations to the Repshers and Director Mike Mazzanti! Due to COVID-19, tickets will be limited for this year’s festival so act fast to be part of this powerful film.
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Roy, David and Romeo only wish they could be here! Fun awaits as Dawg Nation returns to the sensational Highlands Ranch Golf Course on September 14.
Tee It Up For Dawg Nation raised over $100,000 in 2019. Every penny after expenses goes to assist those in the hockey community.
A big thank you to The Ahbe Group for once again being our title sponsor.
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The 10th annual Stand UP for Dawg Nation Comedy Night has been rescheduled for October 21st at Comedy Works DTC.
Josh Blue (l) and Derrick Stroup headline what is always a special night.
Out of an abundance of caution only 175 ticket holders will be seated. If you have a ticket, Dawg Nation will be contacting you to schedule. We are also working on a virtual version so one way or another, everyone will be able to enjoy this entertaining and emotional night.
Thanks to Mike Raftery, the Comedy Works South staff and our fabulous comedians for their flexibility in making yet another new date a reality. Comedy Works South donates the venue to us and 100% of the ticket sales go to Dawg Nation.
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To Our Suporters, Donors, Partners, and Sponsors ...Thank You! |
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This newsletter was written and edited by Jeff Kingery. Photos by Kelli Packard.
Tin Cup courtesy Warner Brothers.
Thanks to Martin Richardson, Rob Packard and Mike Freeman for their assistance.
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Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation
720 432 9471
PO Box 182
Indian Hills, CO 80454
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