Check out some farewell Tie letters from other fans!
Check out some favorite Tie moments from other fans!
I am sending you the photo of Amanda with her shirt on she was so excited that she cried. Ryan was also incredibly excited. You have made a difference! Thank you so much. Please let Tie see this photo if you have an opportunity. It means a whole lot to Amanda.
All the best,
Kathy
Dear Mr.Domi,
I just came across your website and signed the guestbook. I explained in that letter that my son Hunter, like every good Canadian hockey playing boy, hero worships you. Each game he goes into he says he wants to score like Sundin but most importantly have his teammates back like you. Its a little difficult for him to find the net alot of times considering he is a defenceman!!!!! Also, like most boys his main concern in life up until this point was getting to the Air Canada Centre to see the Leafs in action. He saves his allowence in the hopes to get there and take his best friend Jack! For awhile it seemed as if the desire to get to a Leafs game was what kept him going.
Hunter had a very difficult year last year. I was pregnant and my daughter was born 13 weeks early and weighed only 2lbs. She spent 81 days in hospital so needless to say Hunter had to forego alot of my time. I had given birth to a premature son on December 19th of 2000 and he died 11 days later so he was always afraid that he was going to lost his sister as well. Also, my father, who has been the primary male figure in his life, had been in hospital for 10 months. Then we found out my mother had terminal cancer and we lost her last May 13, 2004. He struggled alot.
When I came across the details of your program Santa On Wheels I showed him the website and tried to explain to him that even though he went through an awful time that there are children who are going through even more. He now wants to take the money that he has worked so hard for and buy presents for your charity and then start all over saving towards his Leaf tickets. Is it too late to make a donation for this year and if not how do we go about getting the gifts to the proper people for distribution?
Please feel free to contact me via email or phone and let us know if there is something that Hunter can do to help. God Bless you and your family and we hope that you have a beautiful Christmas. I do apologize for the long winded letter. I was just hoping that by giving you some background on what Hunter has been through it might mean a bit more that he wants to make the donation.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Kristen Paproski
Dear Mr. Domi:
I am writing to you concerning my 16 year old son, Spencer.
Spencer has been a Leafs fan since he was a little kid. His grand-father, my Dad, was a Leafs fan for at least my entire life that I can remember. I often joke that my Dad brain-washed Spencer from a very young age.
My Mom and I were planning to buy tickets to a Leafs game in Toronto for Spencer and my Dad for Christmas this year. We were hoping to plan a trip for sometime in February, near Spencer's birthday which is Feb.17th. We have put any plans for this on-hold at the moment. Spencer's dream is to see a live Leafs game at the Air Canada Centre. In time, we will make plans again.
In August of this year, my Dad became ill and we took him to the hospital as he was experiencing some chest pain. He had had a couple of heart attacks a few years back so we were concerned. After a couple days of running tests, on August 21st, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and they also found tumors in his chest, lung a liver. On August 21st his prognosis was 4-6 months - sadly, he passed away 13 days later, on September 3rd.
The sudden illness and death of my Dad has had a devastating affect on my son. They had become very close over the last few years. I was very proud of Spencer during the short time my Dad was in the hospital before he passed. Spencer took care of him, giving him juice, holding his hand and, of course, talking about the Leafs. Even though Dad was confused at times, he and Spencer still talked hockey right up until the end. Spencer was with him when he passed and as hard as that was, it is something Spencer will always have with him.
Dad was cremated and at his memorial service, displayed around the urn holding his ashes were pictures of him in his Leaf cooking gear (hat and apron); one of him wrapped in his Leaf blanket; and his favorite Leafs hat, covered with Leaf lapel pins. Everyone who knew Dad knew how much he loved the Leafs!
Dad had said a long time ago that when he passed on, Spencer should be given all of his Leaf memorabilia - and he had a lot of it! Shortly after Dad passed away, my Mom packed Dad's Leafs things and gave them to Spencer. Until just recently, he had been unable to unpack that box. About 3 weeks ago, he finally put up the new shelf we had bought for his room and unpacked Dad's things and now has them proudly displayed in his room.
Spencer and I now spend quite a few Saturday nights in front of the TV watching you (as his favourite player!) and the Leafs play. Instead of calling "Papa" everytime the Leafs score like he used to, now, we "high-five" each other. When the Leafs win, we talk about how happy Papa would be and when they lose, we talk about the teasing he would take the next day from his friends at his Church.
Spencer has some wonderful memories of his grand-father and he's very grateful to have them. His greatest memory though is certainly the talk of hockey and especially their beloved Leafs.
The purpose in my letter is to let you know that even though you have no idea, you and the Leafs have played a very big role in bringing a great kid and his grand-father very close together, sharing a real bond in the love of the Leafs. For that I am truly grateful to you and your organization.
Thank you.
Kathy L. Wills
Hey Tie,
I just wanted to start off by saying that it's great to have the NHL
back, it's great to be a part of The Leaf Nation once again and to be
totally honest, it wouldn't be the Leaf Nation without it's Leader on and
off the ice. We all know that Mats is a great captain and the leader of the
team and I am not trying to take anything away from that, but like you said
before you were re signed, you are not the only one who feels like the TML's
take you for granted. You bring so much to this team. Not just the on ice
stuff, but the off ice stuff as well. All the charities that you are
involved with. It must feel amazing not only to wear the Blue Maple Leaf on
your shirt but to also be able to user your fame in so many other ways to
help people with there lives. I only wish that there were so many more like
you. A lot of fans only view Hockey players as being greedy people who make
millions for just playing hockey. In my opinion, there needs to be a better
avenue for fans to know exactly what players are doing for their fans and
their communities. Like this website for instance. This is such a great tool
for people and fans to see you and know you for what you really are. And
that is a true sportsman, A true gentleman, and a true Toronto Maple Leaf.
I'm sure that when you get cut in one of your brilliant fights you bleed
blue and white, because you my friend are what every Leaf fan dreams of.
You have a lot on your shoulders, but all true Leaf fans are with all of
you win or lose. If for some chance I am ever lucky enough to get up there
to TO to see you guys play and meet you, I would just shake your hand and
thank you for just being a true human being who brings the fire that burns
inside all of The Leafs Nation and also pumps life and hope into the
community who is less fortunate then others. I only hope that I will be able
to teach my 5 yr old Leaf Fan son what being a Toronto Maple Leaf is all
about. And I'm sure all I will have to do is tell him about you, and I have
no doubt that he will understand. From a Die Hard Leaf Fan born and raised,
I wish you and all the TML's the best of luck this season. You make all of
us proud to be fans!
Greg Stapleton
Dear Tie,
Welcome back to a new year, from a Toronto fan.
However, its fun to see men do more with there women for example going out for dinner and movies or just hanging out. Since there was nothing to watch, they grew closer together. That is what I think.
I am Huge fan yours. I do enjoy watching you and of course TO Maples Leafs. My ex- boyfriend Ray ( Montreal fan- boo) think I am crazy because I never had a interested in the sport until I heard your name a lot and especially when you were getting into fights. Teehee :-) Now I'm glued.
Our son Kyle who is 2 1/2 since we're living in Ottawa, it makes sense that he should be a Sen's fan.
What I am writing to you about is, I found your website and I noticed that you're involvement in this Charity program-Santa on Wheels.
Its really sad to see children that don't have anything especially around xmas. Now, you have given children something that they will never forget -Spirit of Christmas.
Keep up the great work and I will be senting you a donation for the program.
Best of Luck in New Season..
Your fan,
Dulce Pereira
Thank you for staying with the Leafs.
In 2003 I was given, from my wife for my birthday, 4 tickets to see the Leafs play at the Air Canada center. You can't imagine how happy I was as this was a once in a lifetime trip. My wife, myself and our two children went. We were there early enough to see the pre-game skate so I took my son down to ice level. I realize prior to game start all players have their game faces on and the players quite frequently have to endure nutty fans. With my son (7 yrs old at the time) at the glass he was waving frantically at anybody that would notice. Mr. Domi you were the only one that took the time to acknowledge my sons presence with a thumbs up. He still remembers that, as do I.
Mr. Domi we missed you last season and wish you only the best in 2005 / 2006.
Thank you for putting a smile on Alex's face (and mine).
Sincerely,
Rick Machan.
Dear Allen and Tie,
On behalf of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Toronto & Central Ontario, thank you. Thank you for making a difference in the life of a child with a life-threatening illness. As I am sure you will agree, Matthew is a very special young boy. We were delighted to have both of you present on his big day. I know that he was thrilled to meet his hockey hero!
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Toronto & Central Ontario exists for one purpose: to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. We are part of the largest and most respected wish granting organization in the world. We have affiliates in 32 countries across 5 continents, and since our inception in 1980, the volunteers of Make-A-Wish® have granted over 130,000 wishes worldwide.
People often ask us how we can do what we do. We tell them that we cannot change the fact that these children are sick. We cannot make these children well. We cannot take away the pain that their families are experiencing. What we can do is let these children dream. You have helped us to do this for Matthew, and for that we will be forever grateful. I have attached a few pictures. There are also more that you can view on Matthew’s web site - www.positivethoughts.myphotoalbum.com.
Thank you for helping to Share the Power of a Wish®.
Yours Sincerely,
Andrea
I want to thankyou for making a wish come true for a special little boy. On July 18th you delivered a bright yellow Hummer to my grandson, Matthew Smith. I'm still not sure why he picked yellow! We haven't seen him so happy in a long time. Matt is my only grandchild and I've just viewed the pictures from his special day. He was absolutely thrilled at meeting you. I feel that I must tell you how much the family appreciates the time and effort you make to help make wishes come true. A very heartfelt thankyou.
Linda Gibbins, Fenelon Falls (Matt's Grandma)
Good afternoon, I would like this to somehow get to Tie Domi.
My son, Mitchell, is almost 8 years old. He is a very small boy (in the 2nd percentile) for his age, however.....he is feisty:)
Mitchell has recently been teased for his stature being so small. He has just finished his first year of house league hockey and went from a boy never on skates to a boy that blew all the parents, including his own away!
Mitchell was a match for many taller players , but has a heart of gold, giving the goalie a pat and telling them " it's ok, you're doing great".
Friends recently lent Mitchell the "What it Takes" documentary to help Mitchell realize he doesn't need to be tall to make a difference in this world.
Mitchell also plays soccer, where for the past 3 years he has been dubbed called "Mitchell Domi", because he gets in the middle of every game and gives his everything.
It seems that Michell's personality and game spirit and Mr. Domi's are very similar. Take no crap with really big hearts!!
He goes to school everyday now saying he can be anything he wants to be, even if he's small! (since watching Tie's video)Heartbreaking for parents to see their kids be put through this by other kids that are so nasty.
Thank you for giving us this video....it has helped this little boy out- tremendously!
Please let me know if there are any public appearances by Mr. Domi in the Toronto area as we would love to take our "big guy".
Thank you for your time,
Sincerely,
Shelagh Cauchi
I thought you might like this picture for your web site. Last year I was able to take my son Andrew into the Leaf's dressing room to meet his favorite player Tie Domi. I can't tell you enough how gracious and kind Tie was. He made my son feel like the most important person in the world. I want to say "thanks" and hope you put his picture on your web site.
Thanks again,
Andrew Goodwin
from Kris Gorr
from Gary Caves
Artwork By The Fans
