Harding's Hope, the nonprofit founded by Wild goalie Josh Harding, donated $83,000 today to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upper Midwest Chapter, to help fund direct financial assistance for families affected by MS.

"Thanks to the generosity of donors and partners, Harding's Hope is proud to announce our first year gift of $83,000 to the MS Society programs," said Harding's Hope advisor Lana Quinn of QuinnMcCauley. "We hope that through this season's 'Make the Save' campaign we can increase that amount for next year.

"Camp opens next week and Josh's focus returns to the ice, but off ice we will continue to work to raise funds for people living with MS and hope hockey fans everywhere will join us."

"This generous donation will make a tremendous impact in the lives of families struggling to cope with

the financial burden of this lifelong disease," said National MS Society, Upper Midwest Chapter President
Holly Anderson. "We extend our deepest gratitude to Harding's Hope for their dedication to helping
people with MS live their best lives."

Harding's Hope raises awareness and funds to support people living with MS. Today, the charity also transitioned to a new web site, www.hardingshope.org.

"On behalf of Harding's Hope and all those affected by MS, we are thankful to the hundreds of individuals and organizations that contributed this past year to make this donation possible," Harding said.

The four Society programs chosen for funding include chore services, care partner relief, exercise and wellness, and aids for daily living ― all designed to help people with MS stay strong and independent, and remain in their homes and communities.

I sat down with Harding last week and will be doing an article on him in the next few days. Harding, who led the NHL last season in goals-against average and save percentage, has looked great on the ice the past month and is determined "to show I'm capable of playing a full season."

"I'm excited for this season and I don't know if I've felt this good in my life," he said.