Team Pavelich Leads the Way by Jack Pavelich

About the Pavelich Family All Stars:
It all began here in a small and crowded home on Fayal Avenue in Eveleth MN. In 1940 L-R: Joe & Marge, Ki, Ann, Mandie, Grandma (Anna), John, Frank, Grandpa (Mike), and Tom. These are all gone now, but they raised a bunch of kids we all call Cousin. And the cousins had more kids, and you guessed it, they've had their kids too. We are a mighty bunch.

Three cousins are missing now, having gone before their time; Jim, Michael and Mark. Today we rally together, friends and family, to do our part for mental wellness. Inspired by Mark's life and death, we are taking an active roll in the renovation of a building down in Sauk Centre MN, on an estate of The Eagles Healing Nest. The building will be called "The Ranch."

We do this in answer to Mark's call upon us to provide a place where men and women who struggle, as Mark did, with mental illness can find a safe place to find wellness. At The Ranch – Teammates For Life those who enter will be loved, cared for, and equipped to regain mental wellness.

You can help by joining our team, donating to the cause, and sharing the dream with those you love.

About The Ranch: Teammates for Life:The Ranch – Teammates for Life is a nonprofit 501c3 organization aimed at providing a healthy and purposeful life for those former athletes and military combat veterans who have suffered trauma in their lives.This Non-Profit Organization was inspired by hockey teammates who, like so many others, were facing some of life’s biggest challenges.

How did we start? The dreamer who conceived the idea of The Ranch – Teammates for Life – was former New York Ranger’s Captain Barry Beck. Mark Pavelich, a fellow New York Ranger teammate and member of the 1980 Gold Medal Olympic (Miracle on Ice) hockey team was suffering from mental health issues as a result of the brain trauma he sustained over the years. As in their past, Barry protected Pav and rallied for his support. Mark embraced the idea of The Ranch after learning he wasn’t alone in the struggle. Teammates help each other on and off the ice, so not surprisingly, they were then joined by former NHL players, Clint Malarchuk and Tom Gorence, as well as Jean Pavelich Gevik, Mark’s sister. Since then, others have joined in. All are driven by the same passion to help one another.

You Should Know: Before leaving us, Mark asked us to keep it going for his Teammates and for our Veterans, the “real heroes” in his words. For the military who served and fought in battle together there is a saying – leave no man behind. At The Ranch, that rings true as well. It’s all for one and one for all.

What can you do to help? Your donation to the Pavelich Family All Stars boosts our position on the Fund Duel leader board, but more importantly, the funds go to the men and women that operate The Ranch. Join the challenge by uploading your photo or video by selecting the blue "join the challenge" button...donate on your own upload, and qualify to win prizes.