Winning!

Every year, the last home game of the regular season is Fan Appreciation Night. Among other prizes, the Caps do a "Shirts off Our Backs" giveaway at the end of the game. All the winners for this promotion get to go down on the ice after the game, each with an envelope containing the jersey number of one of the players (picked at random). They will go down the line and as people pull numbers out of their envelopes that player will skate over and give that winner the sweaty jersey they wore in the game that was just played.


For the past few years I have tried to win an essay contest the Washington Capitals hold for the "biggest fan" to participate in this ceremony. But, despite my best efforts, I have never been a finalist.


You can see a previous entry by clicking here.


This year, I submitted this (which I wrote during a 5am feeding and didn't really like, but it was the only chance I had to do it):

There are two things that I am known for by all who meet me.  First, I am a huge Caps fan; and second, I am a mom of four.  Since, the “huge Caps fan” thing happened first, it probably comes as no surprise that I named my four kids after the Caps -  C.ampbell, A.aron, P.eter, S.teven – C-A-P-S, Caps! Caps! Caps!  Despite having four children under the age of six, I still find time to use my Caps season tickets for almost every home game.  Always with a baby strapped on my chest and a “CAPS MOM” personalized jersey on my back.  I arrive in “style” to games in my minivan decorated with Caps flags and stickers, and of course my “CAPS MOM” license tags (unless, of course, we take the hubby’s car, then it’s “CAPS D4D”).  Like my children, I was born into Caps fandom.  My parents have been season ticket holders since before I was born.  Growing up I was the baby at the games, the excited kid at Fan Club banquets and the lucky teenager who’s parents took me to Piney Orchard in the middle of the night to cheer on the 1997-98 team as they got off their plane from Buffalo after making it to the Stanley Cup finals (even though it was a school night).  Now I am the mom letting my kids stay up late to watch games, going to Caps Con, taking road trips to the Winter Classic and attending the Season Ticket holder parties.  Earning my “CAPS Mom” title!



There are other ways to win on of the jerseys off the player's back, including being nominated as a Community Leader.


This week I was stalking the Caps website trying to figure out if naming my kids after the Caps was enough to win me a spot this year, when I got an email from my mom, and then my friend Christy. They had nominated me and wanted to tell me that I was a finalist!!!


Here is the write up from the Community Leader Contest:


Jillian Gardner is a mother of four young children and currently serves as the president of the MOMs Club of Annandale, a group she joined when she moved to the area more than five years ago. She works tirelessly in the Annandale community to enrich the lives of the children and mothers in her area through her dedication to and participation in the MOMS Club. She has served on multiple committees, leading a variety of Club activities. The Club brings together a community of mothers and children that sponsors weekly activities including children's craft programs, charity drives, play dates, music events, and social occasions and supports the member moms with friendship and loads of parenting tips. Jillian brings an energy and enthusiasm that is unsurpassed to her role as president by organizing events, communicating information to members, reaching out to new area residents. Most importantly, she is heavily involved in community service. She has assembled bags for moms who were affected by the Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, participated in a Stop Hunger Now event at a local church and has put together boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Jillian also cooks meals for moms who have new babies or whose family is going through difficult times and need meals. Jillian is an amazing, selfless woman who continues to give and help others without being asked for anything in return.


I have since found out that my friends: Christy Fase, Laura Loughlin, Stephanie Reininger, Missy Okpokwasili, Alana Chang and my mom, Mary BeVard, all nominated me separately. The Washington Capitals' Community Relations staff used pieces from all of their nominations to write the essay that was used in the voting.


Once we found out that I was nominated it seemed like everyone I had ever known became my own personal cheerleader!  Sending email blasts to friends asking for their votes, posting to Facebook, and repeatedly voting.  It was incredibly humbling and I felt so amazingly blessed to have such amazing friends and family.


This morning, while hiking up a hill to get to the zoo for Peter's class trip, I got a call from the Caps - I WON!!!  The top 3 winners from the 8 people nominated got to go on the ice, and I was one of them!  She didn't mention to me what place I came in, but she did say that I had more nominations than any of the other nominees.


I just want to thank all the people who nominated me, the people who emailed and shared the link on Facebook and all the voters.  Due to my super fandom, this is the most fitting prize I could ever win, but (not to sound super corny) I more importantly was so touched by how many people were cheering for me.  I cannot express in words how much the love and support meant!


To answer some questions I have been getting...


The ceremony take place right after the game, if you are going tomorrow, stay to watch!


No, I do not think I will be on TV, but I promise to take lots of pictures!


No, I do not know which jersey I will get.  They are selected at random, but there will be one winner for each player.


Yes, I will post pictures and details to Facebook and my Blog!


Thank you again to...


Christy Fase, Laura Loughlin, Stephanie Reininger, Missy Okpokwasili, Alana Chang and my mom, Mary BeVard - Your words touched me; and sending in your nomination, knowing that this would mean so much to me, means the world!!!