The November Lab
Never Far from Home is extending its reach, and improving its impact within the hockey world. After almost a year on the road from 2020-2021, Vladan returned home to the Yampa Valley. The podcast landscape shifted, and Never Far from Home dove headfirst into helping non-profits around the country give back. Our list-to-date of non-profits we have worked with: Dawg Nation and Team Tucker. That is only the beginning, and both organizations are great foundations for what is to come from the Never Far from Home studios. If you are interested in having us come to YOU, please reach out on the contact form and let us know what non-profit is doing great things in YOUR rink community.
We love giving back, and great missions. Here are the organizations we have aligned with so far:
Team Tucker
Team Tucker was founded by Dana Anderson Helstrom. Dana went through the nightmare that every parent fears: losing a child. Tucker was a special soul who was wise beyond his years. He lost his battle to cancer, and Dana took up his memory, and honored it by starting Team Tucker. This wonderful organization helps kids with cancer who have been fully enveloped in the battle for their lives, and it also focuses on the families who are being affected by that same battle. The VIP program has helped well over 100 families. You can find more on their story at the website listed above, and listen to Dana’s story on the linked episode. Team Tucker’s mission is not one to be taken lightly, and they continue to help families and show the love out of Minnesota. We collaborated on a tournament in May of 2024 that raised $1250 for the VIP program, and is potentially going to grow into an annual event for Team Tucker. If you are moved to do so, you can support the mission with a financial donation on the website.
Dawg Nation
Dawg Nation is an established non-profit in the Colorado hockey scene. There is an annual tournament, The Dawg Bowl, that is the cornerstone of fundraising for the organization. Martin “Cappy” Richardson saw a need to help his teammates on a men’s league team after tragedy struck multiple times in the span of weeks and months. He started this thing by simply passing the hat, and now over a decade later, he remains at the helm as recipients number over 300 families helped, with financial help given nearing the 4 million dollar mark. The mission of Dawg Nation is simple: Play Hard. Play Fair. Give Back. This organization helped spark the love of giving back that Vladan has found within himself. Together, over multiple years collaborating, Dawg Nation and Never Far from Home have helped three local Steamboat families who have faced challenges unforeseen, and while they have given dollars, more importantly they have showed up and given COMMUNITY. That is one of the best things about the Dawg Nation team, once you are a recipient or a volunteer, you are in a community that embraces each other, and GIVES BACK. Over the years of collaborations, total funds dispersed are $45,000. If you are moved to do so, you can support the mission with a financial donation on the website.
contact me.
Contact Vladan Chase by sending a message here or at nffh.onair@gmail.com.
sponsor me.
Sponsorship is a big piece to this puzzle. Find out more about sponsoring my podcast here.