The Tortorella Foundation is currently working with an animal shelter in dire need of help.

The shelter is full of sweet sweet beautiful dogs and we are working find foster care, etc, as they become healthy enough to move out of the shelter. Stay tuned for more info, in the mean time please donate! 100% of your donation goes to help these loving animals.

]]> http://www.tortorellafoundation.org/2012/03/frankie-friends/feed/ 5 http://www.tortorellafoundation.org/2011/12/2nd-annual-coaches-challenge/ http://www.tortorellafoundation.org/2011/12/2nd-annual-coaches-challenge/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:15:54 +0000 admin http://www.tortorellafoundation.org/?p=92 New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella and New York Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni hosted 28 children from WHEDco, a Garden of Dreams (see video) partner organization, to participate in the 2nd Annual Coaches Challenge held at the MSG Training Center.

More than 400 supporters helped honor the couple with the distinguished Helen Ayala Davis Award, named after the late philanthropist and board member who assisted The Children’s Home for many years.

Over the years, the Tortorellas have supported a variety of local organizations that enrich the lives of people throughout the Tampa Bay community. Both personally and in conjunction with the Lightning Foundation, they have focused their unique resources to advance amateur hockey and educational enrichment opportunities for children, along with medical research and treatment for those in need.

At The Children’s Home, the Tortorellas have graciously provided ongoing assistance to ensure that programs are in place to help children who are victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment. They are regular visitors to the campus and have taken a personal interest in the lives of the children who live there on a temporary basis while receiving therapeutic care.

In accepting the award, the Tortorellas spoke of the importance of helping others who have been dealt tough circumstances, particularly children who have suffered at the hands of family members. “It’s heartbreaking knowing these children need to be in a home away from their family,” said Christine Tortorella. “Children need the community to respond to their needs. It draws me in knowing children are out there without parents.”

According to Gerard Veneman, President/CEO of The Children’s Home, the Tortorellas’ ongoing support makes a heartfelt difference in the children’s lives. “John and Christine are such giving people, and it shows when they visit our campus and interact with the kids,” he said. “Thanks to their support—and that of the Tampa Bay community—we are able to continue our hard and ‘heart’ work of healing the wounds of their past and finding them a ‘forever family’ for the future.”

Sponsored by Advantica EyeCare, SunTrust, Publix Super Markets Charities, Gerdau Ameristeel, Wachovia Insurance Services, and The Lightning Foundation, The Children’s Home Annual Recognition Luncheon in the past has recognized John and Susan Sykes, George and Joan Steinbrenner, Columba Bush, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf and Outback Steakhouse founders Robert D. Basham, J. Timothy Gannon and Chris T. Sullivan. In 2006, the Award was given to the 13 Ugly Men Foundation, Inc.

During the summer of 2006, the Tortorella Family hosted kids from the Children’s Home, Inc. in Tampa, FL.  The kids spent the day shelling on St. Pete Beach and also were treated to a boat trip for some dolphin watching!  This beach day was a kick-off for the John Tortorella Celebrity Fishing Tournament held in September 2006.

Both personally and in conjunction with the NY Rangers Garden of Dreams Foundation and the Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation, they have focused their unique resources to advance amateur hockey and educational enrichment opportunities for children, along with medical research and treatment for those in need.