Sorry Folks...but this charity is amazing. I hope my blog helps their cause.
The following is taken directly from their website: http://www.dawgnationhockey.org/
In 2003, a group of guys from all walks of life got together and wanted to try their hand at beer league hockey. They formed a team called the Junkyard Dawgs, and set themselves up at the Edge Ice Arena in Littleton, Colorado. This was not a particularly good team, by the way. But win or lose, they'd enthusiastically show up every week, play some hockey, drink some beer in the parking lot, and as time went on, became a small family.
In a short time, it became pretty well known that the Dawgs were a great team to be on, and the line started forming to become part of the "family". In fact, there was so much interest; the team was able to split into two complete squads. There was Dawgs I, who would feature a lot of the younger players and play in a higher division, and Dawgs II, which would play in the next level down.
In a short time, it became pretty well known that the Dawgs were a great team to be on, and the line started forming to become part of the "family". In fact, there was so much interest; the team was able to split into two complete squads. There was Dawgs I, who would feature a lot of the younger players and play in a higher division, and Dawgs II, which would play in the next level down.
In the past four seasons our "small family" has blossomed into one of the largest adult hockey organizations in the region. We have become Dawg Nation. We're now up to six teams, and over 80 players, ranging in age from teens to veterans in their sixties. And we've finally achieved some success, winning eight league championships and several tournaments in that time frame. Through it all, we have stayed a very tight knit group, supporting each other during our wins and losses.
There has also been great support from our group during activities outside of hockey. For example, the brother of one of our players began a career in mixed martial arts, and there would always be a large group of Dawgs, all wearing their jerseys, attending his fights. That is just one of many stories that show how close we are, and how much we care about our members.
There have been many happy events, such as parties, weddings and births, which have brought The Nation together. Unfortunately, there have been far too many tragedies that have tested the character of our organization, and subsequently brought us even closer together. During the past several years, we have had several bouts with cancer, a hockey accident that threatens to permanently cripple one of our players, and we even lost one of our families to a devastating disease in 2010.
Whenever something bad happens, that player and his family can always count on Dawg Nation to rally behind them. Whether it be in the form of an email, or maybe a gift card, or even some needed financial help, all that a Dawg needs to do is look over his shoulder, and he'll see his other family standing right there with him.
And now we have formed the Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation, that will not only help our own, but will also reach out to assist other hockey players who have been injured, or are battling serious medical problems. Through various fundraisers, we will do everything we can to help, because we all know that sometimes a small group of people can make a huge difference.
How many other beer league teams are like this? We would sure like to think we're a pretty unique bunch of men and women, and we could not be more proud. We have evolved into so much more than just a hockey team. We're about community and family.
We are Dawg Nation.
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