On August 29Th, Tyler Seguin and Dallas
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2015-2016 MESSAGE FROM THE board chairman Throughout the 2015-16 season, the Dallas Stars Foundation continued its efforts to positively affect the lives of children, through teamwork, interaction and education. Our community report highlights ways that our players, coaches and staff are making a significant impact in the Dallas/Fort Worth community and it reflects some of our best moments off the ice. Our players have enabled us to support great organizations such as ManeGait, Hope’s Door, along with many more, and we are very grateful to all of them for their time and commitment towards these programs. Of course our positive impact in the community would not be possible without our fans and corporate partners. Your generosity has allowed the Dallas Stars Foundation to award over $4 million to numerous very deserving organizations since 1998. On behalf of the Dallas Stars Foundation, I would like to thank you all for your support. We remain committed to our mission and are looking forward to another successful season in 2016-17! Sincerely, Jason Farris 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jason Farris Board Chair and President Karen Cooperstein Chrissy Fiddler Toni May Grady Raskin Justine Sweeney Jessica Dunn Executive Director STAFF Jessica Dunn Executive Director Christa Melia Foundation Coordinator Katherine Markland Community Relations Coordinator Brent Gray Fitness Stars Coordinator WWW.DALLASSTARS.COM/FOUNDATION The Dallas Stars Foundation was established to serve as a positive force throughout the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex. The Foundation focuses its efforts on providing support to children of the community so they may lead quality lives and develop into contributing members of society. Through teamwork, interaction, and education, the Dallas Stars Foundation works to bring together all members of the Metroplex and build a bright future for today’s youth. 3 THE DALLAS STARS FOUNDATION’S OFFICIAL DATE OF QUALIFICATION WAS AUGUST 20, 1998. SINCE THEN THE FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $4 MILLION TO LOCAL CHARITIES THROUGH THEIR CHARITABLE GRANTS PROGRAM. OVER THE YEARS THE FOUNDATION HAS PARTNERED WITH NUMEROUS NON-PROFIT AGENCIES THAT FOCUS ON A MYRIAD OF WORTHWHILE CAUSES INCLUDING YOUTH HOCKEY, MEDICAL AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS FOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTH, EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES, FAMILY SUPPORT, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION. The Dallas Stars Foundation has three pillars of focus for their giving, programs and partnerships: youth hockey, youth engagement and health and education. 4 PILLAR ONE YOUTH HOCKEY The Foundation is committed to growing the sport of hockey in the state of Texas, and they do this in a variety of ways. Each year, the Foundation provides the Junior Stars and Bob Gainey scholarships to young hockey players and figure skaters who exhibit not only leadership and sportsmanship on the ice, but also academic achievement and community- mindedness off the ice. In order to help build youth hockey the Dallas Stars Foundation funds Fitness Stars, a 5-10 week free ball hockey course. JAMIE BENN PILLAR TWO YOUTH ENGAGEMENT Through the yearlong fundraising programs of the Foundation, they in turn are able to provide support to area non-profit organizations who embrace children of all backgrounds regardless of race, disability or situation. By forming strategic and beneficial partnerships with our non-profit partners we are able to encourage and empower children in order to maximize their potential so they may lead quality lives. JYRKI JOKIPAKKA THREE PILLARS // DS FOUNDATION PILLAR THREE HEALTH & EDUCATION The Foundation helps promote personal growth and quality of life to people in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex; whether that be through our Stick with Reading program that encourages children to read, nutritional education or support to the local children hospitals and cancer organizations through our Hockey Fights Cancer night. JAMIE BENN $190,220.97 COMMUNITY total Funds given during the 2015-16 season IN-KIND DONATIONS: TICKET DONATIONS: over 2,000 from players and season ticket holders $ (includes tickets $121,744 25,500 and merchandise) youth hockey $ TICKET DONATIONS: JASON SPEZZA from the Dallas Stars SCHOLARSHIP FUND : 67,500 2,647 $25,000 youth engagement $ 97 GROSSED OVER FISCAL YEAR: VOLUNTEER HOURS: 97,220. $500,000 over 500 health and education 7 2016-17 CHARITABLE The Dallas Stars Foundation’s most rewarding activity is being able to make a positive difference in children’s lives and provide them life-impacting opportunities they would otherwise not have. One of the most effective ways of accomplishing this is through its annual contribution of monetary grants to various local children’s charities. The Foundation has awarded over $4.2 million to local children’s charities since 1998 through the granting process. 8 2016-17 CHARITABLE GRANTS // DS FOUNDATION THIS SEASON THE FOUNDATION AWARDED OVER $153,000 TO 18 VERY DESERVING METROPLEX ORGANIZATIONS. A FULL LIST OF GRANTS AWARDED IS LISTED BELOW: AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS COOK CHILDREN’S NORTH TEXAS HEALTH FOUNDATION Funding will support the initiative Funds will be used to supply for general programming costs to Cook Children’s facilities with implement the four programs at necessary equipment and program three school sites. enhancement to help pediatric therapists serve the families better ALLIANCE OF ELITE also used for Walk Aide program. YOUTH LEADERSHIP Funds will be used to organize and DALLAS ARBORETUM register less fortunate youth in Funding will support annual Garden seasonal sports. Family adventures for academically at-risk children to enjoy time with C5 YOUTH FOUNDATION their family. OF TEXAS Funding will support one year of the DALLAS STARS ELITE C5 Texas Leadership Program for HOCKEY CLUB 140 at-risk youth in the DFW Funds will contribute towards metro area. reduced playing costs for kids playing hockey. CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION FLASHES OF HOPE Funds will aid in the development of Funding will support the direct a pilot concussion program, focused expense associated with the on athletes by increasing player portfolio packages delivered to the safety and public understanding. families served by the DFW chapter. CLAYTON DABNEY FOR KIDS GENESIS WOMEN’S WITH CANCER SHELTER & SUPPORT Funding wil be used for the Funding will be used to support “Medicine of the Heart” program; their three school centers and other gifts, last wishes, and lasting program specific costs. memories for dying children. 9 GIRLS ON THE RUN OF THE NEXUS RECOVERY DFW METROPLEX CENTER INC. Funding will be utilized in the coming The funds will provide supplies for fiscal year for an arrray of costs. the Child Care Center. HEART HOUSE SOUTHWEST WHEELCHAIR Funding will support the Heart SWAA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION Southwest Wheelchair House Celebration initiative in order Athletic Association Funding will continue to provide ice to motivate student achievement time for the sled hockey program and participation. and expenses to attend the Disabled Hockey Festival. HOPEKIDS NORTH TEXAS Funds will be used for additional R events that foster a family’s relationship and their weekly program of ongoing events. HOPE’S DOOR, INC. Funding will be used to provide educational curriculum and supplies for the children’s program. LEUKEMIA TEXAS Funding will support the Patient Aid Program which provides financial assistance towards families dealing with the expense of Leukemia. MANEGAIT THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP Funding will be used to support the purchase of an equestrian riding simulator. 10 STARS IN THE COMMUNITY // DS FOUNDATION Saturday, Oct. 24 against the Florida Panthers, the Dallas Stars held their annual Hockey Fights Cancer night presented by UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center. The 2015-16 season marked the 17th anniversary of Hockey Fights Cancer, the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association joint charitable initiative dedicated to raising awareness for HOCKEY national and local organizations involved in cancer care and research. As part of the league wide initiative, all members of the Dallas Stars coaching staff wore Hockey Fights Cancer ties on the bench during the game. The Dallas Stars players wore lavender Hockey Fights Cancer warm up jerseys that were later auctioned off and the proceeds split between various FIGHTS cancer organizations. The four non-profits that benefited were The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center, National Breast Cancer Foundation and ZERO. This year the Dallas Stars honored Bekki Nill, wife of GM Jim Nill during the ceremonial puck drop. CANCER Bekki has been battling cancer for several years. The theme for this season’s Hockey Fights Cancer night was “I’m Inspired by.” Fans were able to honor those who are dealing with cancer, that they have been inspired for by their fight. As a tribute to those battling cancer, every seat at American Airlines Center had a blank card with the slogan. The Stars encouraged fans to write-in the person on the card who is significant to them and was used during an in-game tribute. Since its inception in 1998, the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative has donated approximately $14 million to cancer organizations in 30 NHL markets. CHARLIE WILSON, A 10 YEAR- OLD DEFENSEMAN FOR THE DALLAS STARS ELITE MET LIBBY SERBER, FOUR YEARS AGO IN THE FIRST GRADE. hortly after school started Charlie noticed Libby was regularly missing class. Libby suffered from a Wilms STumor, a rare cancer of the kidney. She underwent 28 weeks of chemo, which caused several side effects, one of which is hair loss. When Libby returned to school without her beautiful red hair, Charlie decided to grow out his hair in her honor and donate it to Locks of Love. Once his hair got passed his shoulders Charlie began to experience criticism from other kids his age. Undeterred, Charlie continued to grow out his hair. The Dallas Stars caught wind of what Charlie was doing and decided to make Charlie their honored guest at a practice. Dallas Stars Captain, Jamie Benn and forward, Tyler Seguin surprised Charlie at one of their practices he came to watch.