Ryan Miller's Steadfast Foundation "Catwalk for Charity"
Building a Foundation of Hope
January 31, 2006
by Brian Wheeler
There is no time like the present. That's the attitude Ryan Miller learned to take and it's one that he wants to spread throughout Western New York.
After witnessing first-hand the monotonous, tedious and painful treatments for cancer patients, Miller created a charitable foundation that will benefit children with various illnesses around the Buffalo and East Lansing, Mich. areas.
Miller established the Steadfast Foundation with two main missions in mind. Raising money to help fund the establishment of specialty rooms in hospitals where children can escape the pain and discomfort of their treatments and raising awareness and increasing awareness for the need for heightened community involvement.
"I've been visiting hospitals for a while, but I felt there was something else I could do," he said. "A lot of people are excited about hockey right now. Obviously, you want to use your influence to do something good.
"You have to do whatever it takes to help the kids fight a battle. When you are diagnosed with a disease like that, it's a battle for your life."
In 2005, his cousin, Matt Schoals, 17, was diagnosed with leukemia. Since that day, Miller has taken a person charge to help anyone battling the disease. Building a foundation from the ground up was the next logical progression once he became a professional hockey player.
"I know from talking to my cousin that's the one thing, you just sit in your room," said Miller. "That can get pretty boring no matter how the walls are painted or how many channels they get. Kids need a chance to be social and a place where everyone can meet-up, when they feel up to it, and interact, watch a movie, play some music or just be creative.
"Our approach is that we're just going to compliment the medical side with the mental side. We want to do things that really make it fun to be a kid, whether they are in a hospital or not."
With help from a friend in Rochester, Miller and the Steadfast Foundation will hold its inaugural fundraiser on February 13, 2007. "Catwalk for Charity" combines some of Miller's passions off the ice into a single event with a good cause. Add to the mix his Buffalo teammates modeling Hugo Boss menswear in the in the Asbury Hall at The Church - Ani DiFrancos venue on Delaware and Tupper in Buffalo - and it's sure to be an entertaining time. Strictly Hip and Jennifer Heieck are scheduled to perform.
Catwalk for Charity
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
6pm - Midnight
Asbury Hall at The Church
341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY
1st Star, 2nd Star & 3rd Star Sponsorship
Individual tickets - $175 each
For ticket sales or to pledge your sponsorship:
Call Ann Brooker at 716-204-1212 ext. 206
Hurry! Tickets are limited!
For more event details:
Call Therese Forton-Barnes, Events to a Tee,
716-868-8868 or via email: Events2aT@aol.com
Join Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres with Honorary Chairman, Tom Golisano, for a funky night of fashion, lively music, fabulous food and fun!
Cocktails
Gourmet Cuisine
Unusual Auction Items
Live music
Buffalo Sabres on the catwalk!
21 and over only
Fashions provided by Hugo Boss and gotdenim.com
Some Items for auction will include:
Various team autographed items
Gibson Guitar autographed by Ryan and played that evening by him on stage with the band
Dinner at Tempo with Ryan and another Buffalo Sabre
and many other great items
Visit again for an update and list of all the items!
Entertainment: Strictly Hip...Is a multiple Award winning band and has built a reputation with their dynamic show consisting of upbeat high energy songs from bands such The Tragically Hip, U2, The Cure, REM and Lowest of the Low. Ryan is fond of this band and has been known to play guitar with them on occasion. He will be joining the band for some songs playing the Gibson Guitar, that will be auctioned off in the Live Auction...Don't be surprised if other Sabres join in...Besides Hockey, some of the Sabres can also entertain on stage!
