Dear Friends and Fans:

It’s a busy time for me, and for that I am most thankful. I have been traveling from coast to coast speaking for corporations, making other types of appearances, and doing my vitally important spokesperson work for Gore Medical and its Ultimate SAAAVE public affairs campaign.

Among the appearances I did last month are two that honored and supported legacies that are especially important to me.

On Monday, October 26, I was in Lake Placid to shoot a segment – along with my teammates from 1980 and sportscaster Al Michaels (his call “Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!!” remains one for the ages) – for an NBC special that focuses on the 30^th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” and which will be broadcast during the Vancouver Winter Olympics in February.

It is always fun to be in Lake Placid, with all the memories and the psychic energy of the place still pulsing. It is rewarding to meet and talk and reminisce with teammates and others who shared and enabled me to be part of something so special – something that continues to inspire and elevate the spirit of millions.

From left to right: Big Kenny, Gavin DeGraw, Tony Martell, Sharon Luther, Jon Luther, Jim Craig & Michelle Branch

I was privileged to be in New York City on Tuesday evening, October 28, to introduce my good friend and mentor, Jon Luther, for a tremendous honor. Jon, the CEO and president of Dunkin’ Brands, received the T.J. Martell Foundation Humanitarian of the Year award at the foundation’s 34^th Annual Awards Gala which was held at the New York Hilton.

Jon Luther is a great humanitarian and civic leader – a winner in business and in life. No better choice could the foundation have made.

The work of the T.J. Martell Foundation is sacred work: supporting research and cures in the battle to conquer cancer, leukemia, and AIDS. Indeed its labor may be guided, inspired, and nurtured by an angel. In 1975, T.J. Martell, 21, the son of music industry executive, Tony Martell, was gravely ill with leukemia. Shortly before he died, T.J. persuaded his father to promise him that he would raise $1 million to fight the disease. His father made that promise – and through the work of the T.J. Martell Foundation he upped the return – taking on leukemia and cancer and AIDS, and to date raising $225 million to fell the diseases.

Like so many, my family knows the hurt of cancer. I lost my mother to cancer when she was 54. Cancer took the life of my older sister Ann when she was 40.

So, you can see, it was particularly special for me that I could help honor Jon Luther and share in celebrating his achievement.

****

Mark the date – and its fast approaching. The opening ceremonies of the XXI Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver take place on February 12, 2010. I am at the world famous Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City on November 4 for a United States Olympic Committee (USOC) observance of 100 days out from the lighting of the cauldron in Vancouver.

NBC TV’s The TODAY Show will broadcast a portion of the event.

On the ice at the rink will be Mike Eruzione, the captain of the 1980 U.S. team, to recognize the 50 year anniversary of the U.S.-Russia ice hockey rivalry. Mike will have a teammate in the effort: David Backes, a standout for the St. Louis Blues of the NHL and a strong contender for a spot on the U.S. team that will play in Vancouver.

Jim Craig & Vladimir Myshkin at Rockefeller Center photo credit: Chris Coleman

I will get some time on the Rockefeller Center ice as well. My role is to help officially announce the bilateral sports cooperation agreement signed by the U.S. and Russia on Oct. 3. The agreement promotes friendship and understanding between the two countries. Most appropriately, joining me to announce the agreement are two Russian hockey stars, one retired and one active. Vladimir Myshkin is the retired star; he was the great Soviet goaltender who replaced the legendary Vladislav Tretiak in net following the first period of U.S.-Soviet game in 1980 at Lake Placid (four years later at the 1984 Winter games in Sarajevo, Myshkin was again in net, and the Soviet Union took gold). Still to be announced is the active player, but he will be a member of the Russian squad competing in Vancouver.

I went on for a while in this update. But, then again, lots to talk about.

Believe in Your Dreams – and Believe in Miracles.

Sincerely,

JIM CRAIG