From BuffaloNews.com Full story and photos at https://buffalonews.com/2019/02/13/buffalo-sabres-linus-ullmark-rochester-americans-modo-nhl-ahl-news/
Linus Ullmark: Meet the man behind the Minions mask, quirks and all
By Lance Lysowski
Published February 13, 2019
Updated February 13, 2019
A young boy pressed the paper sign against the glass adjacent to the Buffalo Sabres’ bench inside KeyBank Center to catch Linus Ullmark’s attention as the 25-year-old goalie skated off the ice at the end of a pregame warm-up.
On the sign, underneath a header that read “Life goals,” the boy listed two items: the Sabres’ winning a Stanley Cup and receiving a stick from Ullmark. The affable, eccentric fan favorite skated over and gently flung his Bauer paddle over the pane of glass.
“He’s a really good kid,” said Carter Hutton, 33, of his fellow goaltender. “Really sincere.”
The child beamed as he hoisted the treasure as if he had won the Stanley Cup. Ullmark’s gesture was seen by the thousands waiting for the puck drop of a game against Chicago. Ullmark, however, does not seek recognition for such kindness, nor did the act surprise his teammates.
On the ice, Ullmark can be perceived by opponents as ultra-serious – he was not afraid to tell Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn to be quiet during a 1-0 loss Jan. 30 – but he is beloved by teammates for his quirks, quips and genuine kindness.
Ullmark, the Sabres’ starter in eight of the past 12 games, is active in two charitable causes: Ullmark’s Barks, which, in conjunction with the SPCA in Erie County, has helped six dogs find owners in two months, and AjaBajaCancer, a foundation in Sweden that helps families affected by childhood cancer.
“I would say I’m quirky, unique,” Ullmark said, unabashedly, in KeyBank Center following practice last week. “I would rather be unique than normal. That’s how I see it. I don’t have any issues with me being me and people seeing me as quirky or fun or whatever they say. I try to be me every day, every week. Try to enjoy life as much as possible.”
Full story and photos at https://buffalonews.com/2019/02/13/buffalo-sabres-linus-ullmark-rochester-americans-modo-nhl-ahl-news/
From BuffaloNews.com
SEE LINUS’ “ULLMARK’S BARKS” DRAFT PICKS AND THE NEW TEAMS THEY’VE JOINED RIGHT HERE >>
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LANCASTER YOUTH’S WORK LEADS TO ‘ONE BUFFALO COMMUNITY AWARD’ and DONATION TO SPCA’S PAWS FOR LOVE PROGRAM!
February 13, 2019
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Browning
Teenager Alicia LaBrake’s hard work has paid off for the SPCA’s Paws for Love program!
Alicia, of Lancaster, NY, was the recipient of the One Buffalo Community Award last December, and part of her prize was a donation by Pegula Sports and Entertainment Chief Executive Officer and President Kim Pegula to the charity of Alicia’s choice. Alicia asked Mrs. Pegula to donate to the SPCA Serving Erie County in honor of the Paws for Love program, a volunteer-run program through which pet owners bring their gentle dogs and cats to more than 100 area nursing homes, assisted living facilities, Buffalo’s Family Justice Center, courts, group homes, Hospice locations, children’s facilities, schools, libraries, the Buffalo/Niagara International Airport, funeral parlors, and more.
Alicia’s mom Lisa wrote this about her very accomplished daughter:
“Alicia, 13 years old, has been designing and creating earrings and beaded bracelets for three+ years. She and I sell them at local craft fairs. She has raised thousands of dollars for local charities either dealing with pets or those in need. She has raised money for Wounded Warriors, Carly’s Club, Second Chance Shelter, Ten Lives Club, Citizens Against Puppy Mills, Joyful Rescues, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, SPCA, and the list goes on and on. Currently, she is designating her proceeds to the Meals on Wheels Pet program (feeding the animals who are with the elderly who receive meals).
Last year we were at a Buffalo Sabres game and I noticed the One Buffalo Community Award being advertised. So I nominated our daughter for the award. Much to our surprise we were notified by Pegula Sports and Entertainment that Alicia was the winner! She received the award at December 8’s Sabres game, and she was asked to designate a charity she would like Kim Pegula to donate to on behalf of Alicia’s work.
Alicia asked that Kim Pegula donate to Paws for Love. We have come into contact with therapy pets through being at malls, hospitals, nursing homes, and airports. She wanted to give to those animals who give so much to others.”
This week, a donation arrived from Pegula Sports and Entertainment designated to our Paws for Love program, and we couldn’t be more grateful!
The SPCA extends a heartfelt thanks to Pegula Sports and Entertainment for the generous contribution to this important program, and to Alicia, for recognizing how important Paws for Love is in the community! Alicia has demonstrated that one is never too young to begin making a significant difference in a community, and she makes Buffalo a better place with her work and support.
Emaciated Dog Found in Buffalo Garbage Tote
January 22, 2019 By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Browning
-January 25 update: Hear Charlie’s update on NewsRadio 930 WBEN here. Charlie made it through another night! While his platelet levels are still very low, additional test results that should arrive later today or tomorrow will tell Dr. Chevalier and the veterinary team much more about any specialized medication and other treatments Charlie may require. Dr. Chevalier is still very careful to caution Charlie’s fans that, while he is making progress as far as weight gain and strength, we need to remember that he may be in crisis internally and his health could turn at any moment. For now, Charlie’s tail is wagging, and clearly, in these photos with Emily from the SPCA’s Behavior and Training Department, he’s thrilled with a Kong toy that an anonymous friend brought to the SPCA today especially for Charlie. We at the SPCA thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers…please keep it up!
Emily, in the SPCA’s Behavior and Training Department, has been one of the dedicated staffers working with Charlie
-January 24 update: Charlie’s resting today after a long night. Some of his blood work came back late yesterday showing some very serious abnormalities, which led to the decision to perform a whole blood transfusion late last night. This morning he was resting comfortably and still is (as you see, he is now donning a fashionable cone in our Dog ICU) but his prognosis for a full recovery is guarded. The SPCA’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Helene Chevalier says that the blood work has been repeated, and we are hoping to have those results and further diagnostic results by tomorrow to determine the best treatment options for Charlie, but she is extremely concerned about this type of blood disease. This is why, with emaciation cases of these extremes, although he seems very happy, we are cautious about what’s happening internally. If Charlie survives, she says, he will have a long road ahead of him. We’re letting Charlie rest today and giving him the day off from videos, but we’re still hoping for your kind prayers and thoughts; we know Charlie has a strong spirit to survive. We will provide updates on Charlie’s progress on Facebook.
Listen to Charlie’s story & hear from Dr. Chevalier in this video >>
Thanks to the actions of some very observant City of Buffalo Sanitation Department workers and representatives from the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter, a dog close to death is now being cared for at the SPCA Serving Erie County.
“Charlie” was found today in a garbage tote at a residence in the Bailey Ave./Walden Ave. area of Buffalo. City of Buffalo Sanitation Department employees found the dog during scheduled garbage collection tasks earlier this morning. The dog was immediately transferred by the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter to the SPCA Serving Erie County, where he received emergency life-saving care.
Charlie was unable to stand on his own, and his temperature upon arrival at the SPCA registered at only 92 degrees after being a mere 90 degrees shortly after being found. The emaciated dog, an adult male Pit Bull Terrier mix, received fluids, antibiotics, and pain killers while being warmed as quickly as possible. He has several pressure sores on various parts of his body, and numerous cuts and scrape on his head, face, and other areas.
SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator Paul LeShay helps hold and comfort an emaciated Charlie
At the time of this writing, Charlie’s temperature had increased to 98.5 degrees and he was able to hold up his head, stand for very short periods of time, and was wagging his tail. SPCA Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Helene Chevalier cautions, however, that, due to the severity of the emaciation and the inability to know at this time the condition of Charlie’s internal organs and their ability to operate effectively, it is too soon to make predictions on survival, although she is optimistic.
SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigators are asking for information from anyone who may be familiar with this dog and how he ended up in such poor physical condition, and information on who may have placed the dog in the garbage tote. Anyone with information that could prove helpful in an investigation is encouraged to call the SPCA at 716-875-7360 and speak with an officer or dispatch operator, or hit extension 221 to leave a message for SPCA Investigator Bill Heine. The SPCA will respond to anonymous tips. Keep watching YourSPCA.org or the SPCA’s Facebook page for updates on Charlie’s progress.
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BUFFALO BANDITS VISIT SPCA IN WEST SENECA
January 21, 2019
Frigid temps and a few feet of snow couldn’t keep members of the Buffalo Bandits from touring the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter today!
SPCA Admissions/Adoptions Counselor Job Opening. Learn more.
Read the full press release by clicking on the image below.
*PLEASE NOTE: This law applies to dogs left outdoors in extreme hot AND cold weather conditions. For the SPCA’s hot weather pet tips, click here >>
BUFFALO SABRES GOALTENDER TEAMS UP WITH SPCA FOR ‘ULLMARK’S BARKS!’
December 10, 2018 By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Browning
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark has teamed up with the SPCA Serving Erie County to give more dogs a “home advantage!”
ULLMARK’S BARKS, designed to help more SPCA dogs find homes, will kick off Thursday, December 13. Through the end of the Buffalo Sabres hockey season, Ullmark and the Buffalo Sabres will share information on some of the temporary canine residents at the SPCA in the hopes of encouraging community members to draft the dogs and bring them into their homes.
“I’m excited to be helping the SPCA in this way,” Ullmark said last week when he visited the SPCA’s new West Seneca shelter for the first time. “I love dogs, and I’m looking forward to helping the dogs at the shelter. Together, we hope to find more homes more quickly.”
“This program is incredibly exciting because it allows us to put a unique spotlight on our extraordinary canine residents,” says SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Browning. “With the help of Linus and the Buffalo Sabres, we’ll be able to tell an entirely different audience how remarkable these dogs are and hopefully encourage them to add our dogs to their family teams!”
Those who cannot adopt but still want to be a part of Ullmark’s Barks and help the SPCA care for homeless dogs can donate toward the Ullmark’s Barks Fund.
Photos of the most recent Ullmark draft, more information, and a link to the Ullmark’s Barks Fund are available here!
See photos of Linus’ 12/7/18 tour of the SPCA Serving Erie County here!
Christmastime causes many people to think about how much they have to be thankful for. But did you ever think about what our community would look like if the SPCA Serving Erie County didn’t exist?
December 1 – 12, 2018, get a glimpse of how the lives of those pictured above were changed by the SPCA and our animals, leading up to the 15th annual RADIOTHON with NewsRadio 930 WBEN and Star 102.5 FM Radio, and presented by GEICO!
The 12 Days of SPCA will highlight our Radiothon theme: You Never Know When You’ll Need the SPCA. See why the SPCA matters to those who never knew they’d need us…until they needed us.
Then on December 13, 6 am – 6 pm, both radio stations will be broadcasting LIVE from the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter! It’s an all-out open house at the SPCA, with half-off adoption specials, shopping deals in the Petique, Lights of Love, an SPCA expo in our Education Center, and more!
Have you or those you love been impacted by the SPCA and our animals in some way? Have you needed us to make your family…your home…your life…more complete?
$44.99: 3 Super Kiss Car Washes & Applebee’s Dinner* (Remember, with 5-day return on each wash, you’ll get 6 washes!)
$64.99: Full Synthetic Oil Change & Applebee’s Dinner* (Includes up to 5 quarts of oil!)**
PURCHASE THROUGH THE SPCA, AND PROCEEDS BENEFIT OUR ANIMALS!
Available through December 30, 2018 in the
SPCA Petique, 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca, NY 14224
For more information, call the Petique:
716-875-7360, ext. 237
*Dinner certificate includes two menu items up to a $20 value. Does not include tax, beverages, or gratuity, and expires March 31, 2019.
**Does not include dexos.
SPCA LIGHTS OF LOVE RETURNS, MEMORIALIZING AND HONORING SPECIAL PEOPLE AND PETS
November 6, 2018 By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Browning
After a hiatus, the SPCA Serving Erie County brings back its Lights of Love program for the 2018 holiday season.
Now through December 13, those wishing to purchase a labeled Christmas tree light in honor of or in memory of people or pets who have touched their lives can do so through the SPCA. The lights will adorn trees in the organization’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter Adoptions Lobby that will remain lit through the end of the year.
“In Memory Of” white lights and “In Honor Of” colored lights are available for a $20 donation. A string of 12 lights is available for $180. All donations will help give shelter animals a second chance at happy, healthy lives filled with light and love.
Lights of Love is sponsored by Adams Nursery and Garden Center.
To purchase one or more lights, click here or call Colleen at the SPCA: 716-875-7360, ext. 227.
