August 2006 – In recognition of their philanthropy on behalf of Colorado’s children and families, Advocates for Children has named Coco and Pierre Lacroix as its 2006 Friend of Children award winners. Through his role as president and general manager of the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club, Pierre Lacroix has been the guiding force behind the team’s Legacy Project, a community program that gave $100,000 grants to each of ten worthwhile programs and agencies during the April 5, 2006 ceremony billed as “One Million One Night.” The Legacy Project pushed the total funds given by the Colorado Avalanche Community Fund past the $11 million benchmark since the team arrived in Colorado in 1995. Mr. and Mrs. Lacroix will be honored at Advocates’ tenth annual Red Wagon Ball, to be held Saturday, October 14, 2006, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Wildlife Experience in Parker, just off Lincoln and I-25. Fox 31 News anchors Libby Weaver and Ron Zappolo will once again emcee, and celebrity auctioneer Gary Corbett will return to conduct the live auction. Tickets are $125 per person, and can be purchased by calling 303-695-1882.

“The children of Colorado have benefited so much from Coco’s and Pierre’s philanthropy,” explained Advocates’ executive director, Peggy Rudden. “Since 1999, our program alone has received over $1 million from the Colorado Avalanche Community Fund, in conjunction with the McCormick Tribune Foundation. Those funds have been indispensable in helping us provide the more than 700 abused and neglected children we serve each year with CASA volunteers.”

 “Advocates for Children is representative of the kind of programs we want to support through the Colorado Avalanche Community Fund,” said Lacroix.  “Because it serves children at risk and their families, we believe the financial support we’ve provided to Advocates for Children will benefit those who need it most. Over the years, we’ve seen clear demonstration of the many ways that Advocates delivers tangible results to our community, and we are glad to be able to support the work they do on behalf of kids.”

Pierre Lacroix has served as the Colorado Avalanche’s president and general manager since 1995. In May of this year, he hired Francois Giguere as general manager and retains the position of president. His career in the hockey industry spans more than 30 years, and includes a long list of professional accomplishments, among them the sport’s most coveted honor: the Stanley Cup. Prior to accepting the position of General Manager with the Quebec Nordiques, Lacroix spent 21 years as one of the most revered player agents in the business. In 1994, he took over the Nordiques and oversaw the team’s move to Colorado just in time for the start of the 1995-1996 season. Renamed the Colorado Avalanche, the team quickly vaulted to the top of the National Hockey League, ultimately capturing the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001.

Family has always been a strong word in Coco Lacroix’s daily life. That philosophy has led her to be involved in different causes helping children. Her wish to make the Avalanche a strong and united family was fulfilled, and she likes to support dedicated initiatives that serve this objective. Natives of Montreal, Quebec, Coco and Pierre Lacroix, today reside in Denver. They have two sons, Martin and Eric, and are the proud grandparents of Max and Mia Lacroix.