Recipients

Dan, or “Hoagie”, as he’s known throughout the hockey community, was our first referee to receive a grant from DAWG Nation. Hoagie was a Postal Carrier away from the ice during his accident when he was hit by a driver while on the job 9 years ago. Your previous generosity helped Hoagie overcome some of those initial medical bills and get back on the ice. However, a recent blood clot in his l…

The season of giving continues! Dennis Borland has been an integral part of the Fort Collins hockey scene for many years. Earlier this year he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that resulted in the loss of his left leg. Dennis has a great outlook on life and is now looking towards sled hockey to continue his hockey career. Well today with the help the Colorado Eagles and the F…

He’s the Cap. It was quite a day as the spirit of giving was in abundance! First stop was at the Tuscany Restaurant in Evergreen where owner Rick Egloff welcomed us into his beautiful restaurant so we could surprise a grateful and emotional Tony Huss. Tony is a pillar in the hockey community and friend to many. He’s graced the ice of Evergreen Lake for many years, volunteering time to introd…

Another good day… It was another good day as the local referees gathered to help us help one of their own. Mike Wiegert is long time local ref that has run into a string of bad luck lately that has kept him off the ice and struggling a bit as his impending marriage to fiancé Christine is just around the corner. That’s when the referee community, Lance Jaeger and DAWG Nation all com…

Another good day… Neighborhood DAWGs honored a teammate tonight and stand side by side with Ted Atkinson as he is embarking on a 9/11 Memorial ride called Tour de Force honoring his late wife Sandra! After losing his wife, hockey and the comradery of teammates has been a great addition to both Ted and his teammates. Special thanks go to everyone involved in making this one happen!!

Fighting hard… Todd Smith was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma in December 2018. He’s in the advanced stages of cancer but is fighting hard. Todd is the sole custodial father of two beautiful, ambitious and strong daughters Tatianna (age 20) and Hailey (age 16), and it is his desire that they are financially sound if something is to happen to him. Tee It Up 2019 An incredible da…

Injured on the ice… Derek is an avid hockey player, playing for the Frisky Squirrels at the Edge as well as other area teams. The hockey community means the world to Derek. He learned how to skate and how to walk at the same time. Hockey has been embedded in his family since his New Hampshire childhood. Derek was injured in a tournament Saturday July 20th. After a severe spleen r…

Quite a night… Quite a night at the Ice Ranch as we enjoyed being part of the annual NAIOP Winter Classic charity event. DAWG Nation’s Cappy, Todd Gehrke and Jan Hejda all laced em’ up, but the highlight was bringing a very surprised Rob Holdaway to tears as we presented him with a check for $10,000 to cover his daunting medical bills from a recent heart surgery. The night culminated wi…

A special day… A pretty special day here for all of us at DAWG Nation as we got to present the final check to Jason “Shep” Shepperly and his lovely wife Ashley, surprising them yet again with a larger than expected final total, in excess of $74K! Jason’s story is so compelling and his character so stellar (on and off the ice) that donations continued to roll in even after the last puck had…

David Jacober is no average hockey fan. Growing up in St Louis, David is the son of legendary St Louis sports broadcaster Ron Jacober, and has literally been a St Louis Blues fan his entire life. After serving his country, David settled In Pueblo, Colorado and began a long career in law enforcement. Things were pretty normal until life threw the Jacober’s a major curve ball in January of this y…

Last month Westminster firefighter Lee Giroux played in the annual Craig Moilanen Cup at the Edge, a tourney that aids the family of fallen firefighter, Craig Moilanen. During the tourney Lee took a slap shot to the face did some serious damage, including multiple facial fractures. Being a true hockey player, Lee left the ice and drove himself to the hospital so he wouldn’t interrupt the game!!…

  Jack was diagnosed with… Jeff and Krystalyn Rodell have 3 awesome young children. Nine months ago their daughter Emerson joined her older brothers Reid, who is 2, and Jack, who is 4 – correction, “4 and a half” – just ask him and he’ll tell you. Jack was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December of 2018. Like his dad, young Jack loves hockey. He’s had a stick in his…