October 2022 Recap: Healthy Living Month

On October 7, the Sharks kicked off the season in Prague as part of the Global Series games against the Nashville Predators, then headed back to SAP Center for an exciting home opener on October 14. To kick off the 22-23 season, fans were welcomed to a Street Rally prior to the game featuring a live performance by

Made possible by a $50,000
Community Assist Grant
provided to
Canine Companions
, the Sharks Foundation was thrilled to sponsor new Sharks Pup
Gill
and welcome him to Team Teal!

The donation will provide the funds needed for Gill to be trained into a working service dog and, upon graduation, be gifted to a person will disabilities to assist them in a more independent lifestyle.
Canine Companions
provides service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings. They believe that independence shouldn't be limited to those who look or live a certain way as disability reaches all races, classes, and backgrounds and the Sharks do too. This grant is the Foundation's largest unassisted grant for the 22-23 season and aligns with the organizational objective to make Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging foundational. Gill will attend select Sharks home games and events starting in February 2023 and his journey can be followed on social
@SharksPup
.
The Sharks Foundation was excited to announce a new opportunity for fans to purchase exclusive merchandise to support the local community. The
Player Card Series
fundraiser features five limited-edition cards, each featuring a Sharks player. On October 25, fans were able to purchase the first card of the series featuring #48 Tomas Hertl which sold out! A select number of cards were autographed by Hertl, while a few others contained a golden ticket for an autographed Sharks prize. All cards were sealed in envelopes, maintaining the secret of their contents. The next set will feature Sharks Goaltender Kaapo Kähkönen and be sold on November 19 at the Sharks Foundation Booth outside Section 118.

During the month of October, the Sharks Foundation partnered with local non-profits focused on supporting the mental and physical health of community members. On October 15, the
50/50 Raffle
presented by
Cache Creek Casino Resort
benefited
Boys & Girls Club of Silicon Valley
. Boys and Girls Club works to inspire and empower all young people, especially those who need it the most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring adults. The raffle raised a total of $6,360 for the organization's street hockey program. On October 25, the raffle benefited
The Tenacious Group
. The Tenacious Group's mission specializes in motivating and coaching teens to achieve their potential and purpose by recognizing strengths, setting short and long term goals, and empowering purpose thinking. The non-profit believes that when a student embraces purpose thinking, they begin to visualize opportunities and take advantage of the resources provided to them. The raffle raised a total of $3,125 for the organization. On October 29, the raffle benefited
Vison to Learn
which provides free vision screenings, eye exams, and new prescription glasses to students in underserved communities, so that they may succeed in school and in life. The program provides access to vision care directly at schools and community organizations using mobile vision clinics. The raffle provided a $4,475 donation for the organization.
From October 27-29, the Sharks foundation hosted an auction where fans could bid on a variety of Sharks alumni items to help raise funds to support
Pacific Clinics
. Their mission is to do whatever it takes to strengthen and advocate for children, families, adults, and communities to realize their hopes for behavioral health and well-being. Net proceeds from the auction provided
Pacific Clinics
with a $2,500 donation.
In total, the Sharks Foundation dedicated $66,460 and impacted more than 644 lives during its October Healthy Living Month campaign.