Hockey 4 Heroes

What's that old saying, "a funny thing happened on the way to work", or something along those lines? Well a few months ago a gentleman by the name of Joe Arko contacted me through Facebook and what has transpired since has to be one of the most amazing and unbelievable moments in my life thus far! Joe's first few words to me included asking if we could do a fundraiser together because he found me on Facebook and when he clicked on our Josh Project Page, he believed there was some sort of "magical & mystical" connection that was bringing us together for this purpose. Since that day Joe and I have embarked on a partnership, friendship and brotherhood that has once again reminded me of how amazing this world and universe work.

Joe wanted to make good on a previous attempt to host a Pro's vs Joe's, no pun intended, Hockey event for charity and we were looking to host our first fundraiser, so after our very first meeting where it was clear to us both we were brought together for this specific reason, Hockey 4 Heroes (www.Hockey4Heroes) was born!

From the onset our backs were against the wall as every "party planner" company or individual we contacted told us we were crazy and that an event of this magnitude would take at least 8-12 months to properly pull off. This is when I of course smiled and told Joe that the world hadn't seen the likes of Joe & Josh yet and what we are truly capable of. Let's just say our event is scheduled for May 3, 2014 and we managed to get everything done in less than 2 months!! Side note because I am me, let this be a quick reminder of one of the lessons I preach, "Nothing in this world is impossible unless you believe it is!"

In an attempt to keep this blog short, I want to mention the amazing support from so many special individuals, including a very special shout out to Channa Serenity Bromley, who has been instrumental in assisting with this event in so many ways for no other reason then she has a huge heart and loves helping youth. None of what we are doing would be possible without each and every one of you. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us making our dreams a reality.

Lastly this is the informal launch of our new website at www.Hockey4Heroes.com and our very special "Wall of Heroes", which are a collection of supporters sharing their personal thoughts on what it is to be a hero. Our attempt is to get as many videos as humanly possible. On top of friends and family, we have been fortunate enough to have videos from Canadian Olympian Josh Binstock, UFC stars Nate "The Rock" Quarry & Cheick Kongo and a special video from Marco Belchier the goalie from the movie "Goon". It was one of these videos that led to a most amazing moment in my life.

Nate Quarry, who had always been one of my favorite UFC stars, not only provided an amazing video, but our follow up communications filled me with pride as for a moment it felt pretty amazing to be sharing thoughts and thank you's with someone I looked at as a hero and well accomplished man. I asked Nate if I could share some of the email he sent to me because if I had it my way I would shout his story from the tallest rooftops to get to the most people possible! I asked Nate if he could imagine all the people we could help if more celebrities, athletes, politicians and other members of the public spotlight shared stories of struggles, tragedy, pain and then the triumphs that followed and we both agreed it could be epic. That's when I decided screw "could", this WILL BE EPIC!!

Here is a look at some of what Nate shared with us and as always if there is anyway you would like to be involved, support or even add a video of yourself, that would be amazing and we can be reached at Info@Hockey4Heroes.com or you can contact me at Joshua@TheJoshProject.com

"Joshua,
More than happy to shoot a video for you and your great cause. Thank YOU for everything that you're doing to help kids. I WAS that kid that got picked on daily. I was skinny with acne, hair parted down the middle, big thick glasses that were broken constantly so they had black tape on them AND was in the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses so I wasn't allowed to have any friends at school or play any sports.

They were rough years but I got by by believing in myself and having interests outside of the battlefield that was my school. Without that belief in myself and being able to escape that I'm sure I would have been an angry alcoholic until I died. I'm sure you know people that are stuck back in school. Not me. The best thing about a crappy childhood is that every day afterwards just keeps getting better and better. I didn't "peak" in high school.

In fact, I was asked to speak at a TEDx talk in San Francisco. And the topic was bravery. And I was very honest about how un-brave I can be. But those feelings of fear or nervousness are very common, it's what you do with them that counts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjYX4iKgT7E

I think that talking to kids about overcoming bullying is great but then there's also talking directly to the bullies. Letting them know that their actions aren't cool or acceptable.

I know there's the whole, "it gets better" campaign but I feel that telling children to endure isn't a solution. You wouldn't tell an abused woman that men die sooner than them and just to wait it out. When a kid has interests that the bullies can't touch and a whole different world where his self esteem comes from then the bullies don't matter. Just like the haters on the internet. If you don't have haters you haven't done anything with your life. And I could get really angry at some loser on his couch that I'll never meet or I can ignore them. Because it really is a case of words never hurting me. And that all comes from self esteem.

Thanks for allowing me to be a part of the Josh Project. It's important work. And I'd be happy to attend events with you. That would be a great honor and gives me a chance to be a part of something bigger than my self.

Nate"


Please assist us with this amazing event and of course make sure you come!!! There will be Music, Entertainment, Kids shows, FunZone, Licensed Food & Beverage Area, www.MysticDrumz.com is bringing their renowned "The Legend of Marshmallow Island" show and did we mention the Road Hockey Tournament as well? The whole family needs to come on out and have an extremely amazingly fun day all in support of local youth!!

Things Aren't Always As They Seem

The other day I was sent a story about a teacher and a student she encounters. I'm not sure whether or not the story is real, but I could care less. The story was eerily similar to a lot of what we try to promote and if nothing else it just puts a smile on your face and warms your entire core. I think it's important to not allow ourselves to just brush this story off as fairytale or impossible. Don't you think a story like this is a lot more believable then a story of high school Vampires? Yet this day and age we have more people talking about the possibility of actual vampires then we have talking about this connection between to individuals, which probably takes place everyday around the world. Too bad it's not Hollywood enough!


"As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat,was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... He is a joy to be around..'

His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
 
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
 
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. 
Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'

After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
 
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.
 
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
 
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
 
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me.. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'
 
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back.. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'


Now I know the ending definitely sounds a bit like an after-school special, but based on the way society is currently, I think I'd much rather focus my attention on a fairytale such as this, then some of the reality that we face.

Let's all do our best to give people the benefit of the doubt, it may just surprise you the result!

Have a great day!