Thankful

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”

– Gandhi

Pre-COVID, I was sitting at one of my favorite local diners, sitting at a table in the front window, and watching the world go by. There were tables just beyond the glass on the wide sidewalk as well. I was try to not over-admire the good-looking breakfast one of the outdoor patrons across from me was having, when a homeless person walked past their table. He stopped, and started talking to the pair outside me. The owner, who was behind the counter, quickly went outside to keep the gentleman moving along.

But the gentlemen seated at the table stopped the owner quickly, informing him that they had actually stopped the man on the way by, and were asking him if he wanted to join them for breakfast. The owner changed course, got the new guest a menu, and had his breakfast out to him quickly to join in with the pair who had already been served. It was such a touching scene that one of the inside patrons actually paid for the entire group’s meal without them knowing. Giving begat giving begat giving. I was thankful to have gotten to witness it all.

When the pandemic first broke out in March, it was interesting to see the response to those in need from all over the world of sport. In the NBA, Kevin Love dropped a six-figure donation to help pay the immediate salaries of the workers at the Cavs arena. Several other league players and teams quickly followed suit.

Denver’s own Nuggets are highly active, both in helping their own, and in their community with outreach to several charities over the holidays, and yearly clinics for at-risk kids and the Special Olympics. You won’t see most of the squad more at-ease or happier than when they’re getting to spend time with those kids.

The Colorado Rockies’ superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado gives back repeatedly through the Make-A-Wish foundation. When Arenado isn’t winning Gold Gloves, he’s winning a lot of hearts and respect for the numerous kids he’s hosted to share time with them and fulfill the dreams of kids in their most vulnerable moment.

The Denver Broncos’ Von Miller saw an opportunity to help others in a way that had been crucial to changing his life, by simply getting the corrective lenses he needed to be able to see. Knowing that families in need struggle to help their kids who have poor vision, Von set up his charity Von’s Vision, which has now helped thousands of kids in the Denver area and nationwide get free eye exams and glasses to help them be able to better succeed.

Colorado Avalanche Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic has the reputation of being a good guy who tends to keep his good deeds under the table. But some of Super Joe’s efforts have taken on enough of a life of their own to have become massive. Sakic’s annual golf tourney benefitting Food Bank of the Rockies has now produced well north of 20 million meals for kids in need. Twenty. Million. Go, Super Joe.

Those are simply single glimpses of the dozens of players, coaches, staff, and ownership amongst the Colorado pro sports landscape who are taking the time to make a difference for their co-workers and communities. While they are often going above and beyond in these extraordinary times, there are many examples amongst them of people who were giving deeply long before these difficult moments arrived. It’s inspiring to see all of this giving during a season that we are all looking for as many reasons as we can find to give thanks. For reasons to remember how much better we are together, even when we have to stay a little further apart.

I’m giving thanks for you and your generous hearts, DNVR Nation. Hoping your weekend is great wherever it finds you.