Martin's foundation helping Stoneman Douglas High shooting survivors

CARLE PLACE, N.Y. -- When Matt Martin heard about the anxiety and panic attacks Kyle Laman was experiencing following the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the New York Islanders forward felt compelled to do whatever he could to help.

Laman was shot in the foot Feb. 14, the day 17 people were killed in Parkland, Florida. He escaped school grounds with the help of Sgt. Jeff Heinrich of the Coral Springs Police Department.
Almost seven months since the worst day of his life, Laman, now a sophomore, lives each day with a German Shepherd service dog, provided to him with the help of the Matt Martin Foundation.
"Obviously when we got news about what happened with Kyle, we wanted to do whatever we could to help," Martin said during the fourth annual Matt Martin Foundation Poker Tournament on Thursday. "We were able to find him a great dog in Bruce, a beautiful German Shepherd. It was a pretty cool experience. To see the impact he's had on Kyle, it obviously makes me happy. Hopefully we can continue to help many more people."

Bruce was a puppy when he was introduced to Laman on April 23. Since that time, their relationship has grown.
"We've gotten stronger, a lot stronger," Laman said. "We're amazing together. We're like brothers. He helps me so much with stress."
Heinrich said paperwork is being processed with the school district that will allow Bruce to accompany Laman to school every day.
"I put it out on social media that Kyle wanted a dog," said Heinrich, who ran into the school unarmed as the shooting transpired. "[Martin's foundation] went above and beyond."
With Laman, Heinrich and Bruce in attendance Thursday, the Matt Martin Foundation and Denny's Fashion, Style, For All presented a check for $20,000 to Parkland Cares, which was formed to help provide awareness for mental health counseling for survivors of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas.
Denny's Childrenswear has stores in New York and Florida, including Boca Raton, one town over from where the tragedy took place.
"Many of the students either are or were customers," said Jeff Klein, an Islanders fan and co-owner of the chain. "They've supported me for 12 years that I've been down there. The only right thing to do is go out and support them."
Martin, who spent his first seven NHL seasons with the Islanders before signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent after the 2015-16 season, was traded to the Islanders on July 3. He credited the fans who continue to support his foundation in all its endeavors and causes. Proceeds from the poker tournament benefited the NYPD Widows & Orphans Fund, the Boomer Esiason Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis Research, the Islanders Children's Foundation, ACDS School for children with autism and Down syndrome, and Defending The Blue Line.

"The community's unbelievable; I've been saying that since my first year being here," Martin said. "I think they've always embraced me as a player and continued to support me even when I was in Toronto.
"I started this foundation four years ago, and every year it seems to raise more and more money. That doesn't happen without the fan support."