Local Animal Shelter to Benefit from Saturday Hockey Fundraiser

(KNSI) – A little over two years after losing their son, Charlie, in a single-vehicle crash on icy roads, the Boikes are helping to keep his memory alive, not just as a hockey player and fan, but as a person.

This Saturday, they will be hosting a dachshund dash between the first and second periods of the Lumberjacks game. Mother Erika Boike says she wants Charlie’s interests to be turned into good acts. “Charlie was a very passionate, caring kid. He loved animals. He was really good about giving back to the community, and with his passing, it’s been my family and I, our motto, just to give back to the things he was very passionate about.”

She says Charlie encouraged the family to foster pets for Ruff Start Rescue and always lobbied to have them become a permanent part of the Boike home.

Speaking of the “Doxie Dash,” Erika hints that they plan to have some fun with it. “We have a dog named Willie Nelson. I know their mom was really working on finding some long braids for the dog to wear. So, it’s gonna be fun. We have 11 dogs this year.”

Yes, there will be a prize for the best-dressed wiener dog. Some of the other handlers will be in it to win it. Money is raised by betting on which dachshund comes in first, second, or third by dropping a ticket into a bucket with the dog’s name on it. When the results are in, a ticket will be pulled from the appropriate buckets with that person getting a prize package.

There will also be a silent auction, and pet-related donations, like food or toys, will be taken at the door. Doors for the game open at 6:30 p.m., with the action starting at 7:30. The Lumberjacks will be taking on their rivals from Alexandria.

More information on the Doxie Dash can be found here.

The nonprofit Skate Free Charlie is run by Erika and Charlie’s father, Jeff. The organization has events planned in February with the St. Cloud Norsemen and Youth Night between the St. Cloud Crush and Sartell high school teams. It’s all part of a campaign to help build “Charlie’s Corner” at the Omni training facility in Waite Park, where he used to work out.

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