Hockey fans have embraced the two-time Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche with such enthusiasm that when it came time to celebrate the team’s 10th season in Denver, those who control the purse strings decided a charitable contribution of staggering proportion was in order.
Thus was born the Legacy Project. In a recent pregame ceremony, Pierre Lacroix, the team’s president and general manager, joined captain Joe Sakic in presenting checks for $100,000 each to 10 Denver-area organizations. The million-dollar gesture brings to $11 million the cumulative amount given to local charities by the hockey team’s grant-making arm, the Colorado Avalanche Community Fund.
Owner Stan Kroenke says the Legacy Project was begun to “create a lasting imprint in our community. The initiatives it funds will produce tangible and meaningful results, ones which we can take great pride in watching grow throughout the years.”
Lacroix adds: “We’ve enjoyed support unmatched in our industry, so in this, our 10th season, we wanted to find a way to give something back to the community that has given us so much. We were convinced that this gift needed to be substantial – something that could match the overwhelming support this organization has received.”
The McCormick Tribune Foundation is a partner in the Legacy Project.
The recipients, Lacroix explains, were chosen for their ability to provide the basic necessities of life – food, shelter, health care and education – for the greatest number of children and families in need. In addition to the checks, representatives from each organization received framed Avalanche jerseys, complete with a commemorative Legacy Project patch and engraved plaque.
Recipients were:
Advocates for Children, which was founded in 1985 to help abused and neglected children in Douglas, Lincoln, Elbert and Arapahoe counties by recruiting, training and supporting Court Appointed Special Advocates. Advocates for Children will use the money to increase the number of CASA volunteers that serve close to 700 children per year in these counties.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. The clubs, which served 24,750 young people in 2005, use professionals and trained volunteers to give members guidance and instruction in ways to become productive, responsible and caring citizens. The grant money will enable the organization to expand its technology program by offering more focused programs that increase the depth of technical knowledge and skills. Additionally, the money will be used to acquire computer software and upgraded equipment to maximize learning opportunities for the participants.
The Children’s Hospital Foundation, to help pay for an infusion center at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders that is part of the hospital’s new location at Fitzsimons. The infusion center will serve more than 500 oncology and nononcology patients per month.
Craig Hospital, serving patients with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. Plans are to use the money to buy enough equipment so that 100 percent of Craig’s inpatients have the tools for recovery that they need during their hospitalization or immediately following discharge.
Food Bank of the Rockies, which distributes some 18 million pounds of food to 749 Colorado hunger-relief programs, or enough to prepare 14 million meals. The $100,000 will enable Food Bank of the Rockies to distribute 600,000 pounds of food to its member agencies in Colorado. In addition to this grant, Food Bank of the Rockies also receives proceeds from a yearly golf tournament put on by Joe Sakic.
National Jewish Medical and Research Center, the nation’s only nonsectarian, nonprofit clinical and research center to focus solely on allergic, respiratory and immune disorders. The grant money will be for pediatric programs; last year, NJH served 3,218 kids.
Ronald McDonald House, which provides temporary lodging and support services to 1,200 families a year who have a seriously ill or injured child being treated at a Denver-area hospital. A second house is to be built in the metro area.
Special Olympics Colorado, which will use the money to expand programs beyond the 8,000 disabled athletes served statewide.
Volunteers of America, which will use the money to support its Brandon Center shelter for battered and homeless women and their children.
Young Americans Center for Financial Education, which will use the money to help fifth-, sixth- and seventh-graders from low-income homes learn financial and economic skills.
Straight from the heart
Colorado first lady Frances Owens, along with Children’s Hospital president Dori Biester and the chief of cardiothoracic surgery, Dr. Francois Lacour-Gayet, were among the dignitaries at the 2006 Little Hearts Luncheon, but the real VIPs were the youngsters whose lives were saved, thanks to the skill and compassion of everyone involved with The Children’s Hospital Heart Institute.
CBS 4 weatherman Ed Greene emceed this event sponsored by Great Clips and held at Ridgeline Restaurant in the Pepsi Center. Once again it was a sell-out with a waiting list.
Chairwoman Lyn Schaffer, whose husband, Michael, is a pediatric cardiologist at Children’s, said proceeds, augmented by a $10,000 donation from the Great Clips Foundation, will go to institute programs that include a parent support group plus lodging and transportation assistance.
Fashions from Talbots were modeled by young heart patients, parents, caregivers and physicians. Escorts included representatives from South Metro Fire Rescue.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com
