Johnnie Coffey, like most teen-aged boys in Colorado, is a die-hard Broncos fan. But Johnnie lives in Beaver, Pa., deep in the heart of Steelers country. Last year, after suffering an injury playing football, doctors diagnosed Johnnie with a form of spina bifida that produces holes on the inside of his spine. Not only would he never again play the sport that he loves, he and his family now faced the reality of what it means to live knowing that his spine was dangerously brittle.

Upon learning of Johnnie's disability, Susan Mamone, a teacher at Beaver High School, contacted her brother, Pastor Doug Hill, at Abiding Hope Lutheran Church in Littleton and asked if he could contact the Broncos organization to see if they could send Johnnie a few items. Sandy Bretzlauf, manager of partnerships and Game Day Marketing with the Broncos, sent Johnnie a Broncos shirt and hat along with an autographed poster of John Lynch. Johnnie was thrilled. But Mamone and Hill thought, "Why stop here."

They noticed that the Steelers would be playing the Broncos at Invesco this year and dreamed about getting Johnnie and his family to the game. Mamone rallied the community in Beaver to help with getting the Coffey family to Colorado and arranging a place for them to stay. Hill worked to secure tickets for the game and arrange other amenities for the Coffeys.

Lutheran Family Services of Colorado, a leader in foster care and refugee programs in the Denver community, periodically receives complimentary Broncos tickets through the Broncos Quarterback Club. Jim Barclay, executive director of LFS, agreed to donate five tickets to help make Johnnie's dream of attending a Broncos home game a reality. Bretzlauf arranged for the family to receive a tour of Invesco and to have complimentary passes to the Broncos Barn before the game. The Coffey family arrived in DenverOct. 17night with plans to visit Colorado Springs, the Rocky Mountain National Park, the Denver Zoo and the excitement of a nationally televised Sunday night Broncos game.