Eddie's Kids

May 3, 2010
Dear Mr. Wedelstedt:

On behalf of the Los Angeles Kings and Kings Care Foundation, we thank you for your generous support of the Kings Community Comer presented by Steiner Brothers Construction during the 2009-2010 season!

The Kings are proud to be an integral part of the Los Angeles community both on and off the ice. Everyone within the organization knows the importance of sport and the positive influence the game and our players have on today's youth which is the reason we created the Kings Community Comer. Approximately 100 local non-profit organizations including various chapters of the Boys and Girls Club, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, the Salvation Army, Covenant House California, After-School All Stars, Big Brothers Big Sisters took part in the program allowing over 15,000 youth the opportunity to experience Kings hockey during the 2009-2010 season.

Enclosed you will find a few letters of appreciation from our community partners which we hope will showcase the impact of this program. Again, we thank you for your contribution and hope you will support the Kings Community Comer again next season so we can continue to make a difference.

Best,
Luc Robitaille
President, Business Operations
Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club

December 21, 2009
Dear Mr. Wedelstedt:

Thank you for your recent ticket donation. With your support for our volunteers within the LA Youth at Work initiative and the Cash for College Campaign, thousands of students throughout the greater Los Angeles Area gain knowledge about work readiness, college access and financial aid resources.

We appreciate your support this holiday season as many of our volunteers are utilizing the tickets to spend time with their families and friends. Your continued generosity is invaluable and we cannot tell you enough how much it means to us that you participate in the Kings Care Foundation.

We sincerely thank and appreciate you and the entire Los Angeles Kings organization for allowing us to take part in this wonderful program.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Balderrama
Program Coordinator
LA Youth at Work and Cash for College
LA Area Chamber of Commerce, Unite LA

November 10, 2009
Dear Mr. Wedelstedt:

Over the last year, the LA Youth at Work and Cash for College staff have been extremely appreciative of the Los Angeles Kings organization and the LA Kings Community Development partners for your continued ticket donation to our program volunteers. Without our volunteers' donated time and energy, none of our programs would be possible.

During our recent Cash for College Convention last month, we recruited close to 200 volunteers. Your ticket donation provided a wonderful raffle incentive to continue to volunteer for our Cash for College Convention in the future as well as our winter workshop we will host at various high schools throughout the LA Area in January. Your donated tickets are tremendously generous, and our thank you would not be possible without your considerate gesture.

On behalf of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Development Division, thank you for your donation. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and support.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Balderrama
Program Coordinator
LA Youth at Work and Cash for College
LA Area Chamber of Commerce, Unite LA

October 30, 2009 Dear Mr. Wedelstedt:

Do you remember that first hockey game you attended? The"thrill of seeing players dash onto the ice surface? The roar of the crowd when the home team scores? Thanks to your very generous donation of twelve Los Angeles Kings hockey tickets for the game on October 29,2009, you helped to bring the game of hockey to a group of kids who have never seen a live hockey game before.

Since 1948, the Dubnoff Center for Child Development has nurtured the unique potential in each child with developmenta~ emotional, and/or behavioral challenges. We serve students from 5 to 22 who have moderate to severe learning, emotional and behavioral difficulties. Many come to us in crisis. We offer a full academic curriculum leading to high school graduation as well as a path that teaches living skills to help those with special needs transition into the community.

Last night, your generous gift brought boys from our residential homes to their first HL game. Our two licensed residential facilities are home to boys who require 24-hour care. These boys may have histories of abuse or neglect, behavioral problems, and very often multiple failures in previous placements. Whatever their problems, our staff offers guidance and, for some, the first positive adult influences in their lives. Going to Staples Center for the game was given as a reward for good behavior, and these boys will not soon forget their first hockey game.

Sincerely,
Sandra Sternig-Babcock, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Eddie’s Kids Supporter:

Come experience the “Tastes of Manhattan Beach” while we celebrate an exciting 2009-10 Los Angeles Kings Season at the 2nd Annual Hush Up with the Kings!

Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd Annual Hush up with the Kings at www.lakings.com/hush. Each individual general admission ticket is only $45 while VIP Tickets start at $100 each. Further information about the event can be viewed at www.lakings.com or you can call (310) 535-4466.

Scheduled for Sunday, March 21st from 6:00pm. to 10:00pm at Hush Up Hair Salon in Manhattan Beach (1100 Manhattan Ave.), Kings players, as well as other celebrity guests will be on hand as the top restaurants in Manhattan Beach sample their tasty food and drink. Confirmed restaurants include Rock N’ Fish, Mucho, Darren’s and the Manhattan Brewing Company.

All proceeds from Hush Up with the Kings will benefit Eddie's Kids, a charitable trust that gives kids the opportunity to connect with their families and take part in live sporting events. Every year, thousands of children who've made outstanding academic and civic achievements are sent to basketball, soccer, lacrosse and hockey games. They are treated to a night they'll remember for the rest of their lives!

VIP guests will each receive a ticket to the following night’s LA Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche game. Star of the Game and Hat Trick Sponsors will also have exclusive access to the LA Kings Green Room with appearances by LA Kings Alumni, players and other special guests while enjoying open bar and a delicious buffet throughout the game.

On behalf of all of us at the Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club and Eddie’s Kids, thank you for your support! It is through your support of events like this that allows us to provide children of Los Angeles with healthier and happier futures.

Sincerely,
Luc Robitaille
President, Business Operations
Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club

Click Here to View the Letter from Luc Robitaille

Click Here to View the Hush Up Sponsorship & Ticket Packages

A letter to Eddies Kids from Doug of Kronkee Sports.

Eddie,
What an amazing night at del Friscos - I can't thank you enough for everything

I am closing in on my 10th year of working here and the best part of my job is being able to donate the great tickets you so generously give us.

Families who could never afford to get to spend an evening together and forget about life's troubles. Kids battling cancer can leave the hostpital for a night and feel "Normal". Voluenteers who work 40 hours a week for an amazing non-profit can be thanked... and this is all because of you.

I have been working with kids for almost 25 years and always love seeing a smile at the games. The kid's that recieve these tickets never expect to be in such good seats and so close to the court.

Thank you for all you do for the kids!

Doug - Kroenkee Sports Enterprises Click here to view the letter

A Message from Eddie:

Dear Friends,

Back in 1991, Tim Leiweke (then President of the NBA Denver Nuggets) and “Chopper” Travaglini (the legendary NBA Trainer) approached me about a ticket-match program for underprivileged children in the Denver area to have the opportunity to attend a professional sporting event. As a long-time season seat holder, I purchased twenty-five Nuggets tickets. The Nuggets organization matched for a total of fifty tickets, which began the formation of the Eddie’s Kids Foundation.

Since that time, over 700,000 children in the Denver, Los Angeles and Phoenix areas have been given the opportunity to attend a major league sporting event with a family member or loved one. These events include the Nuggets, Avalanche, Mammoth, Rapids, Chivas and LA Kings games. With the help of these professional teams and the Foundation matching every dollar donated, we receive a $4.00 face value for every dollar you donate. Since there are no administration or travel costs, all donations go directly to the kids.

The Foundation truly believes giving children the quality time to attend an event with their family has had a huge impact on their future and has encouraged many children to become more productive, creative, healthy members of society and reconnect with the people most important to them. With the economy the way it is today and with many schools cutting back on programs, the Eddie’s Kids Foundation is probably more valuable than ever.

I want to thank Del Friscos for offering their unbelievable restaurant for this special event. I also want to thank Kroenke Sports for all their work and effort into making this special dinner a success. But I especially want to thank each and every one of you for your generosity and dedication in making the Eddie’s Kids Foundation continue to grow.

Remember, a little means a lot to many unfortunate children.

God Bless You!!!

Letter from a beneficiary:

A Special Message From Eddie's Kids

Due to extended media coverage over the indictment of Eddie Wedelstedt, there has been some confusion from the public about the work Eddie's Kids does. This charitable foundation was established for the sole purpose of donating tickets for sporting events and the performing arts to underprivileged children. All the money received by Eddie's Kids is used to purchase event tickets to be donated to children.

Many of you have seen or heard about Eddie in the news over the past year. It is true that Eddie will be incarcerated, but his charity will remain untouched, which means Eddie's Kids will continue providing tickets to deserving children. So even though Eddie will be gone for awhile, his dream of helping children will still be felt by the community.

Letter from Paul Ventura - a beneficiary of the Eddie's Kids Charitable Foundation tickets:

Dear Vivian
We took a trainer to the basketball game between the LA Sparks and the Detroit Shock the other night. She coaches girls basketball and brought one of her basketball kids to the game as well. Both had such a great time at the game and got to meet Coach Lambeer and most of the players for Detroit. The trainer actually use to play with half the Detroit team in college or overseas. After the game the trainer told me the game literally changed the girl's life. Her mother had died a week ago and she's been practically catatonic ever since. She also just broke her arm the other day and was so discouraged that she was giving up basketball, her only passion. When she saw the game and went on the floor afterwards (as we all did), she then decided this is what she wants to do with her life. The trainer said it's the first time she's smiled in a week. For some reason, the trainer has not been playing pro ball for a couple years, she's very good but it looks like something's holding her back emotionally or otherwise. Well when Coach Lambeer lost the game that night and saw her he said quite seriously, "We need you." She explained she only plays for fun now but he pressed her again. Since she knows half the women on the team and Lambeer turned out to be serious, I could see the trainer opening up and making a life decision. She told Lambeer who her agent was and it turns out he knows him well. He said her agent will be hearing from him soon. Then I met Ruth Riley, one of Detroit's players. She looks like a 30 year old 6'5" Angelica Huston and got excited when I told her she could do really well with print and commercials. She's going to be calling me regarding photographers, agents, etc. when the season is over. In short, three lives may have changed for the better, thanks to you, Eddie and the tickets. That's what Eddie's Kids is all about after all. By the way, the trainer was a guest speaker for some charity event later that week and was quite surprised to find out it was for raising money for a memorial charity based on the girl's mother who died. She donated that night's tickets to the charity -- the gift that keeps giving.

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