As a result of overwhelming community and corporate support, an astonishing $89,499.35 was raised through a variety of team-sponsored fundraising efforts and activities.
With a 3-game attendance total of 20,508, the 1st Annual "Pink in the Rink" weekend incorporated the distinctive Breast Cancer Awareness pink color theme to the ice surface at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, as well as limited-edition commemorative player jerseys and sticks. The event was capped off with the Gladiators 5th Annual live post-game jersey auction, conducted following Sunday's final game of the weekend.
As with the previous 4 seasons, all proceeds from the specialty jersey auction were exclusively reserved for charitable donation. This year's auction of the game-worn "Pink in the Rink" black-with-neon-pink accented jerseys tallied a record $56,625. The lowest winning bid for the 24 available jerseys was $1,300, while forward Andy Brandt's #20 brought the high final winning bid of $3,975. A pink team-autographed helmet worn by defenseman Chad Denny during Friday night's warm-up session sold for $800.
Several breast cancer-related charitable entities were provided a portion of the proceeds generated through special "Pink In The Rink" participatory ticket sales. Organizations such as Tu-tu's for Ta-ta's, The Mary Kay Ash Foundation, and The American Cancer Society received over $11,000 from beneficiary-apportioned ticket sales alone.
Additional funds were generated through the sale of special edition pink t-shirts at all three games, 50/50 raffles, special pink Gladiators merchandise and an online auction on the pink warm-up sticks. Participating organizations also split a portion of the proceeds from the jersey auction as well as from the raffles and from merchandise sales. In addition, a corporate donation of $5,000 was pledged by presenting sponsor Verizon Wireless.
"The response by our fans, corporate partners, and the entire community was nothing short of phenomenal", commented team President, Steve Chapman. "We are constantly amazed and humbled by the incredible generosity of the Gwinnett community, and we consider ourselves fortunate to call it home."
Nearly $40,000 of "Pink in the Rink" donations will go directly back to the organizations that partnered with the team. The remaining funds will be distributed through The Gladiators Foundation for Kids in conjunction with the Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia.
The Gladiators continue their fifth anniversary season on Friday, February 29th as they travel to Columbia to take on the Inferno at 7:05 p.m. at the Carolina Coliseum. Catch all the play-by-play action in Friday's game online via AccessNorthGa.com on Access Radio streaming channel 3.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that has 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.
The Gwinnett Gladiators continue their fifth season as a proud member of the ECHL - season ticket packages are on sale now. In addition, the Gladiators offer several unique multi-game ticket packages as well as discounted group rates, suite rentals, and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.
The Gladiators are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers and play all home games at the spectacular 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, where parking is always free.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/2/207350