Our 1st Quarter 2024 Newsletter is here!

Hello Martin,

Check out the Dawgs' Hockey Heals Program, look in on a special trip to Philly and join us as we welcome Humboldt families to Colorado.

You Made it Happen!

Our Colorado Gives Day was our most successful one yet. Thanks to amazing supporters like you, we raised over $100,000 to continue doing what we do best... helping hockey families in need.

THANK YOU to everyone that supported by donating, sharing, spreading the word and tuning in on 2023 Colorado Gives Day!

It was a super special day for the Dawg Father as he was joined by inspirational cancer survivors, Cappy's kids, hockey legends and many more. In case you missed it, all the videos can still be found on the Facebook page of Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation.

A Good Fight

In one word, it was inspirational. Our Hockey Fights Cancer night recipients gathered once again for a good cause... Hanna, Don, Hillary, and Alyse.

Declan Farmer, the greatest sled hockey player of all time, popped by to chat with us!

Biggest Hockey Heals Yet!

Our weekly Hockey Heals program started with a dream to get Van Stone back on skates. In December, we celebrated with our largest group ever, an astounding 33 souls bonding together to show everyone that hockey truly does heal!

Van (right) with former Dawg Nation Executive Director Mike Freeman, has made it back! A traumatic brain injury in 2018 vastly changed Van’s life and lives around him. It also created the seed to grow an amazing program that allows us to change lives weekly.

Christmas Miracles

On December 26th, Dawg Nation hosted the perfect culmination to our “Skate for a Cause” evening as we honored two families in their time of need.

Kyle Barrowcliff is in the fight for his life against a rare cancer that started in his tongue. Sebastian Hitzig received a new lease on life with a heart transplant in 2019, but recent health challenges have created a need for a little boost. Both families received checks for $12,700.

Highlighting the evening was the legendary Milan Hejduk (center, with the Barrowcliff family) who did an incredible job helping us maximize the funds for both deserving families!

Milan even got a skate in with Dawg Nation super supporter Larry Martinson. It's not just the checks...we're certain that the joy on these faces will last a while!

Road Trip

Looking to shave off a few of those holiday calories, the Hockey Heals crew made the trek to Conifer, Colorado. The ice was perfect, the weather couldn’t have been better, the setting was magical and the hockey was secondary!

Special thanks to John Dolan for hosting us for a morning in hockey paradise!

Loons For Tony

The Loons are a terrific group of guys with deep roots. One of the original Loons is Tony Huss, a quiet man with a huge heart. Tony is in a difficult battle with cancer. In December, his hockey family did their best to lift up their friend. Organized by leader Jeff Davis, the Loons hosted a benefit skate for their beloved teammate.

The love for Tony (center, in brown) was on full display as the generous group joined us to help relieve some of the financial stress so Tony can focus on his recovery. Tony, we cannot wait to get you back on the ice where you belong!

Welcome

In January, we hosted Humboldt Broncos' families that lost loved ones in the 2018 bus accident. Special thanks to Denver University, the Colorado Avalanche, Coors Brewery, Blue Bear Waste, Converge and the amazing Carl Poole to make this one happen! The day began with a morning skate and tour at DU followed by a 5-2 victory by DU! Along the way we ran into old friends, including Tony Boulet (right) whose son Logan died in the crash.

The Broncos' families also watched the Avs-Panthers game. In typical Dawg Nation style, Hall of Famers Joe Sakic and Michel Goulet stopped by to sign autographs, take pictures, and hear the stories these families all share.

Coach Jared Bednar got to know the families.

Joe Sakic surprised our Humboldt friends.

The crew met the one and only... Nathan MacKinnon!

Postgame at the Blackbird Public House, we were treated to a festive night of food and drinks and much laughter. Big thanks to owner Garrett Ladd and his team for a wonderful dinner, and to Shaun and Braileigh Hollis of Blue Bear Waste Management, who hosted the event. Entertainment was provided by the talented Jack Keith. We also had a surprise check for Angie Petersen, whose husband Tom has been battling cancer for the last ten years.

Provided by Dawg Nation, the monthly checks to Angie and Tom will be in memory of each of sixteen lives lost in the Humbolt accident of 2018 and will be accompanied by a letter from each of their families.

David and the Dawgfather

Marty always appreciates his time with Sandy Clough on the “David Carle Show.” This time around was special, with Cap sharing memorable moments from the Humboldt family trip. An incredible night spent with the coach that brought home the gold!

It's always a great time with Dave and Amanda Repsher!

Long time Denver sports radio host Sandy Clough on air with the Dawg Father.

Angie's Going to MSU!

In life you meet people that stand above the rest. Angie Petersen is one of the kindest and most generous souls. She is also someone that has been faced with endless obstacles in which she always seems to find a silver lining.

2023 was a difficult year for the Petersens, as husband Tom faced cancer and Angie struggled to make ends meet. A light at the end of tunnel recently appeared through a 16-month accelerated nursing program at Metro State University (Cappy's alma mater).

Thanks to the generosity of hundreds, Marty had the immense pleasure to hand Angie a check to cover her first semester of nursing school and begin formulating a plan to cover the others.

It was an excited Angie who was ready for her first day!

Life isn’t always fair, and it certainly hasn’t been fair to the Petersens, but life also gives us countless opportunities to lift up others. To us, there is no greater gift.

Sleds Only!

January included a memorable night at the Sports Stable. Our Hockey Heals crew gathered for a sled hockey game against a team of firefighters. With most participants having never been in a sled before, we definitely stepped out of our comfort zone. Every minute was special, especially sharing the ice with Ashton Stephenson. Ashton has had a really rough patch over the last month. It was important to get him back on the ice!

Along the way, Jesse Shelton introduced us to his little warrior, Lucy Harris, that is just now finding her way after a car accident left her paralyzed.

The Dawgs capped off the night presenting the inspirational sled program with a check for $2,500.

Hearts Beat as One

Recipient, Nigel Richardson, headed to Philly with his family for a special weekend.

Sean Hartley led a life of adventure and excitement. Sean also had a heart full of compassion and love for others. That was never more evident than by the heart on Sean’s driver's license. When Sean died way too early, Marty's brother Nigel received a gift that we can never fully repay, the gift of life through a heart transplant.

The two families gathered in Pennsylvania to celebrate two extraordinary lives that will be eternally connected. Stories were told, memories were shared, and tears were shed. The most powerful moments came when Nigel's mother Ortrud (left) and Sean's mother Karen bonded in a way that most of us will never know.

A huge thank you to Keith Jones, Joe Marsh and the Flyers organization for going waaaay above and beyond in making this weekend so special. A catered suite, a personal visit from Jonesy and a video tribute made us feel like royalty.

So many highlights as we did our very best to honor a hero to our family named Sean Hartley.

Frisco Fun

Tyler Kellogg with Marty (below) and his team put on an epic pond tourney in Frisco, Colorado. Each year, Tyler and his crew gather in Summit County for a day of hockey, laughter, friendship and GIVING BACK! All proceeds from this annual event are donated to Dawg Nation so we can pass on that generosity to those who need it most!

You Meet the Best People!

Dawg Nation’s Zac Neumayr was in Simsbury, Connecticut, watching his son play hockey when he ran into not one, but two Dawg Nation recipients!

We are happy to report that both Shannon Valerio and Hilary Tayloe are absolutely thriving and living life to its fullest!

He Looks Marvelous!

"Thank you" doesn't seem like quite enough as I felt more love than one guy ever deserves! My 2024 birthday will be one I will never forget as so many of you reached out with heartfelt notes, cards, and donations for DAWG Nation. A huge thank you to all of you for making this old fella feel so very special!

-Martin Richardson-

Your Turn

We have officially rolled out our Membership program! With eight different levels to choose from and incredible gifts for every member... this is not something you want to miss out on! Share with your friends, family, coworkers, etc. and help us to get as many Dawg Nation members as we can! More members equal more lives impacted.

JOIN NOW