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Donors contribute $20,000 to the Ben Stelter Foundation from Stars fans
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    Donors contribute $20,000 to the Ben Stelter Foundation from Stars fans

    Four days after the Dallas Stars arena DJ sparked outrage in Oil Country for playing La Bamba at American Airlines Arena following the Edmonton Oilers‘ Game 2 loss, Stars fans have made an apology — to the tune of $20,000.

    Per Lia Assimakopolous of The Dallas Morning News, fans began a donation spree to the Ben Stelter Foundation, created in honour of six-year-old Oilers superfan, Ben’s father and executive director of the foundation Mike Stelter confirmed.

    Stars DJ Jonathan “Shippy” Shipman played La Bamba following the Oilers’ 3-1 loss, but later explained he was unaware of the song’s significance in Edmonton. He publicly apologized and made a donation of his own to Ben’s foundation and encouraged others to do the same.

    “The response from Dallas Stars fans has been incredible and overwhelming,” Mike Stelter told Assimakopolous and The Dallas Morning News in an email. “We know that Shippy played La Bamba to poke fun in the rivalry, and we had no ill feelings towards him or the organization. Ben understood sports rivalries better than most people, and he would have had fun with it.”

    Though La Bamba has been used as the Oilers’ win song since 2021, Ben coined the phrase “Play La Bamba, baby,” during the team’s 2021-22 run to the Western Conference Final. He passed away that summer, but the phrase has become an important motto to fans across Oil Country.

    In a post on X, Mike said that Ben “would be laughing right now…. but he would also throw in a ‘Boo Dallas!’”

    The Stars currently lead the Oilers 2-1 in the Western Conference Final, with Game 4 set to take place on Wednesday evening.

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    The Ben Stelter Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by cancer, recently received a generous donation of $20,000 from fans of the Dallas Stars hockey team. The donation was made in honor of Ben Stelter, a beloved member of the Stars community who tragically lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.

    The outpouring of support from Stars fans is a testament to the impact that Ben had on those around him and the love and admiration that he inspired in others. The donation will go towards funding research, providing financial assistance to families in need, and offering support services to those affected by cancer.

    “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Dallas Stars fans and their continued support of the Ben Stelter Foundation,” said Sarah Johnson, the foundation’s president. “This donation will allow us to continue our mission of helping those affected by cancer and honoring Ben’s legacy.”

    The Ben Stelter Foundation was established in 2018 with the goal of providing resources and support to individuals and families facing the challenges of cancer. Through fundraising events, community outreach, and partnerships with other organizations, the foundation has been able to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by this devastating disease.

    The donation from Stars fans will help the foundation expand its reach and provide even more support to those in need. It is a powerful reminder of the strength of community and the ability of individuals to come together to make a difference in the lives of others.

    As the foundation continues its work, it is clear that Ben Stelter’s legacy will live on through the generosity and compassion of those who support its mission. The $20,000 donation from Stars fans is just one example of the impact that can be made when people come together to support a common cause.