Stars announcer using creative skills for good cause during NHL pause

Jeff K has been getting restless without hockey, so he decided to find a way to use his hockey skills.
The public address announcer for Stars games at American Airlines Center, Jeff Kovarsky (who goes by the industry name Jeff K)
is making Cameo videos
with goal calls and using the proceeds to help the Dallas Stars Foundation and Meals on Wheels Collin County. It's an idea he borrowed from his good friends in the "PA Brotherhood" and one he's hoping to pass on to others.

"It's similar to things that were started in other cities," Kovarsky said of ideas that are exchanged among NHL PA announcers. "I just found the way that works for me with Cameo, and I've been trying to do anything I can to help."
The PA Brotherhood exchanges ideas and updates on their own private Facebook page, and Kovarsky said he noticed some great efforts in other cities. Al Murdoch, who is the PA announcer for the Vancouver Canucks and shared the duties with Kovarsky at the Winter Classic, began offering video goal calls to fans who could show proof that they had made donations to charity. It was sort of a "thank you" for good deeds already done.
Mike Ross in Toronto and Michel Lacroix in Montreal followed suit with similar efforts, and then Kovarsky saw that Wes Johnson of the Washington Capitals was part of a citywide effort in the athletic community to raise funds on an app called Cameo. The website has served as a means for fans to connect with celebrities and get personalized videos, so it worked perfectly for these fundraisers.

"So I reached out to Kevin Harp, my director of game presentation, and he talked to Chelsea Livingston with the Dallas Stars Foundation and they loved it," Kovarsky said. "So I created a Cameo account and
bookings are $25
each. Then, all of the money goes to the Dallas Stars Foundation and they will donate the money to Meals on Wheels Collin County, which will help donate food to seniors who are struggling at this time."
Livingston said any efforts to help through the Stars Foundation are greatly appreciated.
"Initiatives like this are so important during this time," said Livingston, the director of the Foundation. "Right now, things are incredibly hard and people are going through such a rough time. Everyone wants to help, but it is hard now with the shelter in place order. What Jeff K is doing is providing a platform for others to donate and help, plus they have the added bonus of connecting with him through Cameo.
"We all miss being at the AAC and hearing him announce, so this brought smiles when people need it the most."
Jeff K is uniquely qualified to make the videos. He works for Lonestar 92.5-FM as a DJ and as a production director for iHeartMedia in Dallas, so he has studio time when he needs it. He's part of the emergency response team for iHeartRadio, so he has the qualifications to travel and work from the studio during this time of social distancing.

He also is uniquely qualified because he is the voice of goal calls at American Airlines Center. So when parents buy a personalized call for their children or when a spouse buys a call as a gift, the sound is the familiar voice they have heard so many times.
Jeff K even puts the Pantera goal song in the video to make it seem as real as possible.
"I'm trying to be as creative as I can with every call," Kovarsky said. "You want to do everything you can to give them a great memory."
While Kovarsky laughs when he is called "the talent" in any way concerning this effort, he does understand the value that his position grants. People want to hear his voice, and that gives him a power to do something others can't.
"I definitely see this as something I can do, that I'm qualified to do," he said. "I know there are people out there missing hockey, and this let's us all connect and enjoy a few hockey moments."

As for how he's getting through this time of social distancing, he said he's finding his way.
"There are some benefits to the fact you are not forced to be a slave to the rhythm of your daily life, but I'm ready to get back to the hockey now," he said. "Honestly, if I could call a game every night, I would sign up for that, I love it that much."
Right now, the Cameo videos are helping to fill the void
"I'm just trying to do something. I didn't want to sit on the sidelines, and I was spurred on by the PA Brotherhood," he said. "It's something I can do, it ties into what I do both for the team and the radio station, and it makes me feel like I'm making a difference."
In fact, he'd like it if it caught on.
"I'd love it to spread," he said. "If we could get Stars players or area athletes or area broadcasters all on cameo donating to local charities, that would be amazing."
To request a Cameo video for a goal call or penalty read (or get creative), click here.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.