DefendingTheBlueLine

Our non profit, Defending The Blue Line, is competing for an  award from the White House right now.  We were selected as one of twenty national finalists for the work we are doing for military families.   The White House has left it up to America to vote for the winner over  the next few weeks.

Winning this award would do a tremendous amount of good for our organization.  We have been just absolutely overwhelmed this past year  with our growth and demand for our services and the benefits we provide to deserving military families.

Please, take a moment and click on the link below and vote for our cause, then share that message with your networks. Come back every day for the next 23 days and place your vote.

Link to vote: http://bit.ly/DTBLVote

Thanks for your time,

Shane Hudella
President, Founder
Defending The Blue Line

From December 19, 2011 – January 2, 2012 a successful equipment collection in San Jose, Fremont, and Oakland, California was done to support Brent Burns “Burnzie’s Battalion” by Sharks Ice and Cathy’s Power Hour. A group of nearly 40 volunteers (including the Jr. Sharks PeeWee A team) went through all the equipment and performed quality control and inventory.  $300 in monetary donations and a corporate donation from Sony PlayStation for $1000 was collected. Also, Cathy Andrade of Cathy’s Power Skating was successful in connecting Graf Canada and DTBL together and there will be a significant donation of new equipment from Graf and a possible future business relationship.

The total number of equipment pieces was well over 800 plus over 250 socks/jerseys. Congratulations California and everyone involved in this fantastic equipment drive!

Photos and equipment numbers of this event can be seen here.

Saint Thomas Academy is hosting a military appreciation night on February 4th. As part of the event, they want 30 military kids to come skate with the team after the game. Contact kcerredge@defendingtheblueline.com ……ASAP!

Here’s a quick reminder that you can vote daily and help Defending the Blue Line win a White House Award.

Help us keep hockey alive for the children of our nation’s heroes.

Click here to vote:

http://joiningforces.challenge.gov/submissions/4651-defending-the-blue-line

From the Phoenix Coyotes:

To show our support to our military, the Coyotes are offering veterans, active military personnel, their families and friends an exclusive opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to the Coyotes game on Saturday, February 18th vs. the Dallas Stars. This exclusive offer allows you to save money and receive priority access to great seats! The Coyotes will also be giving away FREE Alice Cooper Bobbleheads to the first 10,000 fans in attendance!

Tickets start off at just $20!

To buy tickets go online:

www.phoenixcoyotes.com/armedforces

Special Offer Code: armedforces

Yes, Philadelphia area……you can Run, Walk, or Zumba with the Philadelphia Honor Women’s Ice Hockey Team to raise money for Defending The Blue Line.

Check out the Details here!

They are giving free admission to all current military members, veterans  and their immediate families to their game against South St. Paul on Sat., Feb. 4th, 3:00 p.m. at Saint Thomas Ice Arena.  See the flyer…

It is time to vote for DTBL White House Challenge with Joining Forces Community Challenge:

http://joiningforces.challenge.gov/submissions/4651-defending-the-blue-line

Cory Twibell of the Anton Community Newspapers reached out to DTBL recently about an email we received from Melissa T.  Her story about Matt Martin’s kindness was shared in Cory’s news article:

“Mr. Martin was so nice and pleasant to talk to. He signed a ton of autographs for us. As we were walking out to the parking lot, Mr. Martin ran up the stairs and gave my son his game hockey stick. My son and I cried. Aidan has not put the stick down all night. In fact, he held it in his arms all the way home.  If at all possible can you tell Mr. Martin that it was an honor meeting him and that he brightened the life of a little boy who misses his father dearly” – Melissa  T.

Read the entire article here…

The College of New Jersey along with the Great Northeast Collegiate Hockey Conference is having an equipment drive for DTBL during their playoffs February 17-19, 2012. Drop off new or gently worn hockey gear in the collection box at: Protec Ponds Ice Rink, 15 Worlds Fair Drive, Somerset, NJ.

See PDF flyer…

For questions contact: Chris Mikolajczyk, Director of Hockey Operations, 908-507-3999 or email: or email: coachmiko@embarqmail.com