The Colorado Avalanche Avs Better Halves hosted a charity brunch to benefit the Kroenke Sports Charities. This year’s was a typical success.
Every year the Colorado Avalanche hosts a Charity Brunch put on by the Avs Better Halves. This year’s brunch took place at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.
The purpose of the brunch is to feature children who have overcome medical challenges in their lives. The organization buys them an outfit of their choice, which they then get to display on the catwalk while walking with players and coaches. The fashion show is preceded by the actual brunch, which the players serve to attendees.
The day starts out with players meeting the children and their families.
Time for the players to meet the kids!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/gQ4mGyIlJJ
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
😊😊😊#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/RHSejGTlAZ
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
Once the players locate the child with whom they’ve been matched, they take some time out to play games with them.
So many games.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/fRHfUxAfaI
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
Mikko’s over here playing Connect Three, apparently...
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
🤣🤣 #GoAvsGo https://t.co/A1VXvDLct3
Life size Operation takes teamwork!#GoAvsGo https://t.co/hsOt3B5lWG
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
JENGA!#GoAvsGo https://t.co/5qjjTqT5fr
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
Later, the attendees start arriving. They have purchased tickets to the event with all the proceeds going to Kroenke Sports Charities. The attendees have time to mingle and bid on baskets made by the Avs Better Halves for each individual player.
Bidding on the beautiful baskets the Better Halves put together for each player!
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
All proceeds benefit Kroenke Sports Charities. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/4o9vK9Qzy9
Meanwhile, some of the “Better Halves” are mingling around selling signed pucks. Again, all the proceeds go to the Kroenke Sports Charity.
To get the food portion of the day started, the players don special embroidered aprons and walk the catwalk.
Meet your brunch servers!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/3HizXkuEJm
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
They then make their way to the food stations. The players serve the food to the children and their families as well as the attendees.
Happy to serve you brunch today!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/hW1Z67XRIH
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
Apparently they also nibble on the food themselves.
Barbs bringin’ the bacon.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/yjkCPuAYtA
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
And Tyson Barrie strikes a pose for the camera — only to discover it’s video.
We were trying to sneak a video of Gabe eating all the brunch food...
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
But it got better. #GoAvsGo https://t.co/mEig5a5s1Y
Before the fashion show, the players go behind the scenes to get fully suited up, including ties. Fun fact, 21-year-old Mikko Rantanen is still not adept at tying his own tie.
So they had to put on ties...
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
Don’t worry, Gabe was happy to help!
Oh, wait. #GoAvsGo https://t.co/41wV3DiKtz
A little too tight there, Gabe...
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
🤣🤣 #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/ovw39fBGT4
No, really, Rantanen had his mom pre-tie his ties:
Fun fact: Mikko’s mom pre-tied his ties before the season started so he can just keep them tied. #GoAvsGo https://t.co/mP05STVpmw
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 9, 2018
Hopefully he got some pointers from the captain on how to tie a tie since he has to do it 82+ times a year…
Anyway, before the actual fashion show, the players meet up with their assigned kids again, often to work out special moves for the catwalk.
Practicing their runway moves!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/j7wQELPRRc
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
The coolest guy in the room.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
And Gabe. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/eDq3eaLUgg
A pre-runway chat.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
Here we go! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/8vNXdCVaLx
Side note: Not a lot of the players this year are fathers, being so young themselves. However, I love seeing them interact with the kids. It gives you an indication of how great they’re going to be as fathers. As far as the players who are parents — you can tell. They can corral even the most hyped up of kids.
At that point, everyone’s favorite part of the day begins — the fashion show. The announcers say the name of the child and which player is walking with them.
👏👏👏#GoAvsGo https://t.co/tYIsGUuf4n
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
What. A. Show.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/IhxoDhQbxR
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
TA-DA!
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
Way to go, Addie and Dom. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/ruHrWAbqQg
Brynn and Z blow a kiss!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/lC9Ze6nJHy
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
Absolutely shining.#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/NgMdVr0C8g
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
Anthony and Nail are full of personality!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/Z6M4iN40cQ
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
All the kids are the center of the show. However, I’ve got to say the little girl with the pearl cat ears has good fashion game.
These kids are OWNING the runway today!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/0Mtd0phAaG
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
I’m also a big fan of the Super Girl Avalanche capes.
Thank you to everyone for being a part of this special day.
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
We will never forget it. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/7EPoiBIXoZ
I don’t have verification, but I think this kid can tie a tie better than Rantanen — I’m guessing the captain showed him.
Here comes Porter to steal the show... #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/rTabs7B45R
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
Also, it’s not everyone who can rock red pants, but Porter nails it.
The players have often stated that the annual Charity Brunch, which is in its 21st year, is their favorite event of the season. However, it is so meaningful to the families of the children who participate.
Our Annual Avs Better Halves Charity Brunch is today!
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 11, 2018
It’s a special day with a huge impact. #GoAvsGo https://t.co/8FX1lu6BWT
It’s not just about raising money for charity. These families get the chance to connect with others who are enduring the same difficulties. They also get to connect with families who have gotten through those tough times.
Additionally, it’s a chance for the families to get away from their problems and do something fun for a day. And the players get into it.
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I’ve known people who have participated in the Charity Brunch. The children often make friends with the player, and that friendship transcends the event and even the player getting traded. Said players often even look for the child when they revisit their old arena.
For example, former Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene is renowned for making friends with Haven Anderson, a child fighting cancer. He has been close with her family, and though he’s now with the Ottawa Senators, he’s sending her care packages of Sens merchandise.
All teams participate in charity events often put on by the players’ wives and girlfriends. I think the Avs Better Halves Charity Brunch for the Colorado Avalanche is an especially meaningful one.