$110,000 Raised, 174 Appearances Highlight Hogs' 2009-10 Community Efforts
April 29, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rockford IceHogs News Release
Rockford, Ill. - The Rockford IceHogs and IceHogs Charitable Foundation raised $110,953.60 for local and national non-profit causes and organizations in 2009-10.
Additionally, IceHogs players, coaches and staff made 67 visits to the community, including stops at several Rockford area schools, hospitals and youth hockey practices. IceHogs mascots Hammy and Hammer appeared at 107 events during the 2009-10 season including 32 visits to area schools and five parades as well as many business grand openings, festivals and fairs.
The IceHogs' largest annual charitable event, the Jersey Auction, honored the Phantom Regiment, a long-standing staple of the Rockford community and world-renowned drum and bugle corps. The event raised $29,865 through selling specially-designed game-worn jerseys and hockey memorabilia. Money from this event benefited organizations including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Boys Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Through the team's ticket sales fundraising program, $24,411 was raised and distributed to Rock River Valley schools and non-profits including Rotary Clubs, the American Cancer Society and the Rockford Park District's Jr. IceHogs youth hockey program.
The 2009-10 game schedule also featured special nights to raise funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the No Idle Zone environmental organization. Rockford's "Pink in the Rink" game on Jan. 29 brought in $9,970 for breast cancer research. The "Go Green" Night on Nov. 20 raised $10,000 for the No Idle Zone.
The IceHogs Charitable Foundation donated 1,006 ticket vouchers in the last year worth about $10,000 as door prizes, raffle prizes and giveaways at local non-profit fundraising events. The team also donated an estimated $2,426 in hockey memorabilia to events throughout the community.
On Dec. 5, IceHogs fans gave 1,457 stuffed animals to the "Teddy Bear Toss" drive. The stuffed animals were then given to the three hospitals and 14 other agencies in the Rockford community to give to children in Rockford.
In February, IceHogs defenseman Mike Brennan and forward Pete MacArthur helped deliver 2,000 pounds of potatoes donated by Logli's Supermarkets and Frito Lay to the Rockford Rescue Mission as a part of the team's Mr. Potato Head promotion.
IceHogs alternate captain Bracken Kearns was named the team's American Specialty/AHL Man of the Year after contributing $20 for every goal he scored during the season to the Ivestrong organization and its efforts with the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Since the team's inception in 1999, the IceHogs players, coaches and staff have strived to be a staple in the Rockford community. The IceHogs and IceHogs Charitable Foundation have given more than $650,000 to Rockford area non-profit organizations in the first 11 years of the organization.
For more information about scheduling a mascot appearance, fundraising programs or the team's charitable efforts, please call (815) 986-6465.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2010
- Heat Drop the 'Dogs, 3-2 - Abbotsford Heat
- Bulldogs Lose Series Opener 3-2 to Heat - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Rats Season Concludes in Overtime - Albany River Rats
- $110,000 Raised, 174 Appearances Highlight Hogs' 2009-10 Community Efforts - Rockford IceHogs
- Eller And Bishop To Play In World Championship - Peoria Rivermen
- Turer Name One Of Bravo Entrepreneur Award Winners - Milwaukee Admirals
- Weekend Playoff Promotion To Hit The Streets Friday/Saturday - Abbotsford Heat
- Capitals Assign Karl Alzner And John Carlson To Hershey - Hershey Bears
- Texas Stars Playoff Update #16 - Texas Stars
- AHL Morning Skate - AHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
