Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrissy Fiddler.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chrissy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Seven years ago my family moved to Frisco, Texas as my husband, Vernon Fiddler signed a player’s contract with the Dallas Stars. Prior to becoming members of the Dallas Stars hockey club, we played with the Arizona Coyotes (formally Phoenix Coyotes), as well as the Nashville Predators. While being members of the previous hockey clubs we sought out ways to be active and contributing members of our community. So, it was natural to find our place with the Dallas Stars. Within a years’ time we formed our own initiative called “Fidds Kids” in conjunction with the Dallas Stars Foundation. The DSF provided an avenue to connect with a cause in the city that was near and dear to our hearts. We would provide tickets to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society for each home game. This way a family battling cancer could take reprieve from their fight and watch some hockey. It was shortly after that, the then Executive Director of the Dallas Stars Foundation, Jessica Dunn reached out to me for input and ideas in regards to the Foundation.
We quickly formed a great working relationship and friendship. It was a natural progression to become a Board Member of the Dallas Stars Foundation. It has been such an uplifting experience meeting the amazing people that make up our metroplex. Meeting, playing with, and aiding children has been the biggest reward. As a Board Member I work closely with the Foundations community coordinator as well as forming relationships with the current wives and significant others of the Stars Family. We try and develop new initiatives with players such as Fidds Kids. Whatever pulls at their heart strings and makes their heart tick we will build a relationship with a worthy charity or organization in the metroplex. I am proud of the initiative created and implemented by the DSF such as the Stick with Reading program along with our annual fundraiser, Casino Night. The funds received by our amazing fans and supporters throughout the metroplex allows us to continue initiatives and build more programs such as Stick with Reading, and playground builds while granting the dollars needed to our wonderful grant recipients. I have been an active member of the Board for four years and am excited for the future and the people, children, and organizations that we will meet, partner with, and provide aid.
On March 29th, 2018, my husband and I, along with the support of the Dallas Stars Foundation, will be hosting a golf tournament, Fiddler Fights Cancer. This tournament will be benefitting the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Even though my husband has retired from playing in the NHL we both are so thankful for our connection to the Dallas Stars and the Dallas Stars Foundation. Together we plan to continue being contributing members of our community.
My second passion, in the version of giving back, comes through the form of yoga. This ancient practice has my full attention and I love to fill others in as to why they should give it a try. Luckily, I have found a wonderful family in Hot Body Yoga in Frisco, Texas. The owner, Wendy Randall has given me a place where I can speak and teach my passion. I teach a Hot Power Vinyasa Flow that has my students sweating and shining their inner spirits. I try and have a message to share with each and every class that I teach. It’s important to me that my students have some food for thought to provoke intentions of their own. I love to teach community classes at such places as lululemon and Athleta. The people I meet, I believe, is not by chance. The connections and networks that have come out of the yoga community have transferred in too many other endeavors in my life. I recently taught at a woman’s retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona. The inspiration I received from the students and symposium speakers is more than I could ever deserve. I love the openness that yoga just naturally exposes.
Has it been a smooth road?
The relationship with the Dallas Stars Foundation as an active Board Member happened naturally. And it has been such a pleasure and continues to be. But without any struggle there is no way that we could grow as providers to our communities. There have been obstacles along the way. And transitions in positions happen. Sometimes those can be tough. But with diligence, hard work and creative thought good things have transpired. New faces and ideas emerge. The current and the former have pushed forward-with might. And the successes have been evident.
The yoga community can be very competitive. That is something that I knew was there but feels so awful to come across. It is so NOT what yoga stands for. It felt like a struggle when I first confronted it. But I took my thought process back to the root of yoga. Yoga works on the self. By definition is means “union” or “connection”. A union of the body, the breath, the mind, the Higher Self. Nowhere in that do I read or infer, “her posture looks better than mine, she has more students attending class than I do, she looks better in those yoga pants”. Each student (even though I teach I am forever a student) receives something different from the practice. There is no right or wrong. No perfect way to look. It’s practice and not perfection. Once I had that self-talk-I haven’t looked back. And I apply that in my day to day life. In my day to day interactions with people and businesses. Namaste.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The heart of the Dallas Stars Foundation is to invest in our communities by creating unique programs that nurture and enrich the lives of those in need. As a Board Member my role is to provide information and suggestion from the view of a hockey wife or significant other. I am most proud of inspiring and leading the way of current wives and significant others to become involved in their community. I also take great pride in supporting and working with the staff that makes up the DSF. Going out in the community and seeing our programs at work is a great way to measure our successes as well as room for improvement. I am best known for lending a hand wherever the need is the greatest. I believe what sets us apart from other sport Foundations is the culture that surrounds hockey. The hockey team is made up of a group of hard working men that have a sincere passion for the game. They care deeply about their teammates and work solely as a team. Our Foundation is fueled from the same source. We are a team that supports each other, our community and our hockey team.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
What I love about the city of Dallas is the lending hand mentality. There are never a shortage of people wanting to volunteer their time for a collective cause. The Dallas Stars Foundation is fortunate to have many volunteers willing to give their time to help our programs come to life. This is a great place to start if you’d like to learn about the Foundation and perhaps grow with our team.
Contact Info:
- Address: Dallas Stars Foundation
2601 Avenue of the Stars Frisco, TX 75034 - Website: dallasstars.com/community
- Email: CLivingston@DallasStars.com
- Instagram: dallasstarsfoundation
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/DallasStarsFoundation
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