Nine years ago today, the city of Las Vegas was forever changed. October 1 marks a shift in this city, in the people, and what it would mean to be a part of this community. New as a franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights showed no hesitation, immediately helping in any meaningful way they could.
They have partnered with blood donation company Vitalant eight times since 2018 in an annual blood drive. Vitalant Communications Manager Nicole Schultz, who was born and raised in Las Vegas, has seen how much care goes into the event.
“I think that they really put a lot of love and heart into this blood drive, and it shows,” Schultz said.
A collaboration with the team has also generated visibility for the company, allowing them to emphasize the importance of blood donation. Every donation is essential, Schultz says. Each donation can help two or more patients in need, and these donations are not just for emergency situations. Countless people benefit. That’s what makes this particular blood drive so special.
“When the Golden Knights put their name and their weight behind something, the community is almost guaranteed to show up,” Schultz said.
And show up they did. A plethora of community members donated, and several community booths were stationed throughout the drive. One of those booths was the Honored 25 Foundation, started by 1 October survivor Kristin Munding. Munding was looking for a way to give back to the community after the tragedy and wanted to focus on the mental health repercussions in first responders following that day.
“I wanted to be able to do something more than just say thank you,” Munding said. “We see so many people that are still struggling. Even though they see hard events all the time, first responders are still struggling with 1 October in particular.”
Munding has worked hard to reverse the ‘suck it up’ mentality that she feels many first responders currently hold. She says it’s not a sustainable way for them to live their lives, especially after something like this. But the way the community came together has restored her faith in people.
“It really showed that there are bad people in the world, but there sure are a lot of better people,” Munding said.
The response from the Golden Knights also gave her much-needed support in a time of need.
“The Golden Knights have been so amazing, just as a survivor, they’ve been such a light to all of us, that they still continue to do so much for the Route 91 community and the Las Vegas community,” Munding said.
Head Coach Ryan Craig has been here since the team’s inaugural season and remembers the way people responded fondly, “There was a rally within the community to support each other in any way we could.”
Out of respect, the team held a closed practice today, inviting local First Responders and special guests to attend, then giving community members an opportunity to meet with players and coaches afterwards.
Patrol Detective Amy May was present at the Route 91 Festival the night of the shooting and has seen the Golden Knights' continued involvement with the people impacted and the greater city as a whole.
“For a team to support us, support the community, and just care is just something I’ve never seen at any sporting event I’ve ever been to. It just shows how much they appreciate the people who live here,” May said.
Katie Zafiris shares a similar sentiment to May. She’s been a fan since the team’s inception, and got to witness firsthand the public reaction prior to the events of 1 October and immediately following.
“I think everyone was really excited to get a hockey team, but I think once the community saw how everyone banded together right after that and just showed their respect, I think it just brought even more love to the team,” Zafiris said.
Schultz described Las Vegas as a ‘big small town’. The population might be high, but everyone shows up for each other in times of need. The Golden Knights barely had time to unpack before the city they called home was changed forever, and never once have they faltered in their support for the community.
“I think the bond that was forged between the team and the city has carried through here the past nine years,” Craig said.
In a period of immeasurable sadness for Las Vegas, the Golden Knights were there for the city, and for the past nine years they have continued that tradition.
“We would be fans anyway, but I think this makes us so much more devoted,” Zafiris said.
