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Over $20,000 Raised by Thunder for Charities

April 22, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Bloomington Thunder News Release


Bloomington, IL - In the United States Hockey League, players live in a brand new part of the country and call it their home for over eight months of the year. In addition to their own personal contributions to the community, the players and team have the ability to raise money for the area.

During the course of the 2014-15 season, the Bloomington Thunder held jersey auctions, fundraisers, and campaigns to help local and national causes. In total the Thunder raised over $20,000 in funds and products during their inaugural season. Other non-monetary donations were also collected for different organizations such as Toys for Tots and Wish Bone Canine Rescue.

The Thunder opened their fundraising on October 18th against the Omaha Lancers. Pink the Rink night went off with success as the Thunder helped raise money for breast cancer awareness through the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The team wore specialty jerseys which were auctioned off after the game and proceeds from the auction benefited the cause.

Kicking off in November was both the online and in-arena 'Movember' campaign for the Thunder. 14 players and staff grew out mustaches for men's health funding and awareness. The movement was tracked online week to week and goaltender Logan Halladay (University of Minnesota) received the "Movember Man" award, individually raising over $900 over the month, with the team contributing $2,500 overall.

Prior to Thanksgiving, on November 22nd, the Thunder participated in their second jersey auction night. In partnership O'Brien Mitsubishi, the Thunder raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project. The project helps raise money for awareness, aid, and program funding for injured veterans of the armed forces. Bloomington also contributed an extra donation prior to their Military Appreciation game on February 16th. The team then followed it up with a camo specialty jersey, where proceeds from an auction again went to Wounded Warrior.

Former Assistant Captain Vince Pedrie (Penn State University), kicked off the Thunder's first annual Teddy Bear toss game on November 29th when he scored the first goal in a 3-2 win over the Chicago Steel. Approximately 700 teddy bears were tossed onto the ice at the game by the Thunder fans at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. The movement has become a staple in hockey around the holidays to benefit the less fortunate. The stuffed animals were donated to Toys for Tots where they were then distributed around the Bloomington/Normal community.

Rounding out the 2014 calendar year was the Carpets Plus Color Tile jersey auction night. The third specialty jerseys were worn by the Thunder and then auctioned off to the fans. Money from the auction and donations benefited the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for research and awareness.

In partnership with Wish Bone Canine Rescue, the Thunder held two Paws 'N Pucks nights on January 10th and March 7th. In conjunction with Wish Bone and Petco, the Thunder raised funds and products for the rescue shelter. The shelter brought rescued dogs available for adoption to the game and also accepted multiple donations for food, cleaning supplies, and toys. In addition, monetary donations were accepted to help the shelter care for the rescued animals.

On January 17th, the annual Guns 'N Hoses game opened with the Bloomington Police and Fire Fighters playing their charity game before the Thunder's match up with Tri-City. Through the fundraiser, the Police and Fire Fighters raised money through ticket sales and benefited from the team's fourth jersey auction of the season. The donations from both the auction and the ticket sales went to support the local police and fire departments.

Finally, the Thunder partnered with the 501 legion for Star Wars night on February 21st. Characters from the popular series came to the game and accepted donations to Easter Seals. The disability services charity earned a portion of the ticket sales from the game to benefit their programs.

The second season for the Thunder will kick off in the fall of 2015. Stay tuned to BloomingtonThunder.com for the updated 2015-16 schedule, which will be released this summer.

Season Tickets: 2015-16 will be here before you know it and for just $50 we can reserve your season tickets for the Bloomington Thunder at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. If you reserve before June 1st, you'll be entered to win an all-expenses paid flight to Las Vegas! Plans start at just $240 and youth season tickets are $150 for all the same benefits. Head to BloomingtonThunder.com for a full list of benefits and pricing options to go with our new seating map. Call the Thunder office at (309) 434-2980 for information and booking.

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