GE Kids Day at the Plaza
Devil Dawg joined Albany local children at the GE Kids Day at the Empire State Plaza. This annual event was a rousing success as Devil Dawg and all the kids enjoyed the festivities. From live music and dancing, to games and a zoo exhibit featuring a kangaroo and a lemur, Devil Dawg made sure to get in on all the fun. But don’t worry, he left plenty of time to sign autographs, pose for pictures and give out countless hugs and high-fives!
The GE Kids Day at the Plaza is part of Summer ‘12 At The Plaza, a series of family friendly festivals and concerts presented free to the public.
Community Spotlight: Habitat for Humanity
In a new segment for thealbanydevils.com, Josh Heller (the voice of the Albany Devils) volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. Not only did he put his hammering skills to use, he also interviewed key members of the Habitat for Humanity team.
Walk 4 Friendship
Devil Dawg traveled up to Central Park in Schenectady to take part in the Walk 4 Friendship put together by The Friendship Circle. Walk 4 Friendship is a 5k/Family Walk that raises crucial funds and community awareness for The Friendship Circle - a nonprofit organization for individuals with special needs.
Upon arrival, Devil Dawg made the rounds, posing for pictures and of course giving everyone a HIGH-FIVE!! As the walk was set to begin, Devil Dawg helped lead everyone in some very important stretching exercises…Gotta stay limber! As the walk began, Devil Dawg made sure to show everyone his support and cheered them on as they made their way down the path.
Devil Dawg was so excited he could be a part of this walk, and from the looks on their faces, everyone was excited to see Devil Dawg. All in all, it was another great time for another great organization.
Dog Day Afternoon
Devil Dawg teamed up with his four legged friends at the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society for Paws in the Park! There was music and vendors and a pet-parade. There was also a competition for the pet and owner who look most alike as well as the best dressed pet (Devil Dawg tried to enter, but he was denied entrance because they thought it wouldn’t be fair to the other dogs). Not even some rain could dampen the day as Devil Dawg played with his doggy-friends as well as their owners. It was truly a great day in the park!
ACS Relay for Life
On Friday, Devil Dawg traveled to Christian Brothers Academy to take part in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The event helps to raise money to fight cancer and has participants walking around a track non-stop all night long. To kick off the events they held a mascot race in which Devil Dawg was joined by Caddie from Cats Eye Pest Control, South Paw, Hooper of the Albany Legends, Damian from UAlbany, Barkley from the American Cancer Society and an appearance by Kung Foo Panda. The race got everyone excited for a great walk, and a great cause! You can watch the video for the race below.
Watch Devil Dawg compete in the Mascot Race at the American’s Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at Christian Brothers Academy.
Military Family Fun Day
On Saturday, Devil Dawg and members of the Albany Devils Street Team traveled to Ballston Lake for the Military Family Fun Day/Picnic put on by the 8 District Elks Lodges. The event was for all Military personnel and Military Family Members and took place at the Clifton Park Elks Lodge.
Devil Dawg made the rounds while handing out Albany Devil stickers, tattoos, pencils and wrist bands. He was also there to help out kids and show them his best technique for shooting and scoring! He was even able to compete in the Cake Walk and won a cake that he gave to a youngster at the event.
The event wasn’t complete until Devil Dawg made his way to the petting zoo area that was set up nearby. He immediately made friends with giant bunny. Unfortunately, Devil Dawg was unable to ride the ponies that were there. All in all, it was a great time and a great cause!
Bowling Against Bullying
On Sunday, Devil Dawg made a visit to Spare Time in Latham to help out Anthony Gargiula’s annual Bowling Against Bullying event. Anthony is a 13 year old 7th grader at Bethlehem Middle School and is a singing sensation who has been on the Ellen Degeneres Show 3 times, the Today Show and the CBS Early Show. He has sung the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for the NY Knicks 4 times. Anthony is also the youngest singer to perform on the main stage at Carnegie Hall. Anthony has sung the National Anthem for the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Twins, LA Dodgers, for NASCAR’s Sylvania 300, Belmont Stakes and twice for the prestigious Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Induction in Cooperstown.
Although Anthony has obtained all of this success at such an early age, he has experienced a lot of bullying along the way and still does. Last year, Anthony’s Social Studies teacher, challenged his students to “Make the world a better place”. Anthony decided to hold a “Bowling Against Bullying” event.
Devil Dawg came out to support Anthony and his cause and brought with him a team-signed game program and a ticket certificate for the silent auction. DD even got in on the bowling action helping some youngsters bowl a Strike! Unfortunately he was not allowed to bowl an entire game since they couldn’t find bowling shoes that would fit on his enormous feet!!
All in all the event was a rousing success, with the proceeds benefiting the Kids Empowerment Program and being used to bring anti bullying education and programming to the Capital Region. Devil Dawg even got to see a performance by Anthony and his AG Dance Crew! Can’t wait until next year!!
Albany Stratton VA Medical Center
In conjunction with the Albany Devils Military Appreciation Night, taking place on Saturday April 14th, Devil Dawg took a trip to the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center to visit with some veterans of WWII.
Devil Dawg went around joking with the veterans and putting smiles on their faces. Most importantly, he was there to thank them for their service and sacrifice during our nation’s time of need. He even tried to help out the nurses at the front desk! It was a great day for Devil Dawg as he paid a visit to our nation’s heroes.
Elsmere Elementary School
Last week, Devils Mike Sislo and Bryan Haczyk visited the Elsmere Elementary School and took some time to read to the students. They read to two different classes with Bryan reading to the first class and Mike reading to the second class. The book they read was called The Magic Hockey Stick and was about a family purchasing Wayne Gretzky’s hockey stick at a charity auction.
After finishing the book, the children had the opportunity to ask the players questions. The questions ranged from where they were from, what position they played and who their favorite player was, to what their favorite foods were, which color they liked the best and what kind of car they drove.
The players stressed the importance of education and especially reading. After they finished taking questions the players took time to sign autographs for the students.
