AHL Rochester Americans

AHL Clubs, Rochester Raise $3 Million For Local Charities And Relief Funds

Published on June 1, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The American Hockey League announced today that more than $3 million was raised over the course of the 2009-10 season by the AHL and its 29 member clubs for donation to various charitable causes and relief funds across North America.

In addition to monies raised, AHL teams gave back to their local communities through numerous activities, including more than 1,500 visits by players and coaches to schools, hospitals, libraries and other locations and more than 2,500 more mascot appearances. The Amerks alone accounted for 149 player appearances and 73 visits from their mascots, The Moose and R. Thunder.

More than 125,000 game tickets were donated to local charitable groups, and items such as food, coats, Christmas gifts and hockey equipment were collected at various drives organized by AHL clubs. Additionally, charities in all AHL cities were the beneficiaries of a generous donation of game tickets by Reebok-CCM, the Premier Equipment Supplier of the AHL.

Since 2001-02, the American Hockey League and its teams have raised more than $21 million for charities through their community relations efforts. During the season, the Amerks donated 1,569 tickets, an estimated value worth $31,380. That was just a small percentage of the total $104,281 the organization donated throughout the campaign.

The Amerks contributed to the cause by raising a record-breaking $54,000 at the 20th annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner & Auction in February. The proceeds from the event benefited the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Rochester and the Knighthawks/Amerks Charitable Foundation, Inc. The Celebrity Waiter Dinner and Auction has now raised over $754,000 in the past 20 years to help fund on-going, groundbreaking medical research aimed at curing and controlling cystic fibrosis. This year marked the second straight season that the dinner was held at the downtown Blue Cross Arena and included both the Amerks and Knighthawks players. Kyle Schuhart again served as the CF Ambassador of Hope.

As part of its annual involvement in the league-wider fight against breast cancer, Rochester was able to raise just over $12,000 in net proceeds in its pink jersey auction. If that wasn't enough, Curt Styres and the Amerks served as a corporate sponsor at this year's Rochester Press-Radio Club 61st Day of Champions Dinner that raised over $60,000 for local children's charities.

The Amerks' Reading Power Play also wrapped up its fifth straight season, the most successful yet. As working partners with the Monroe County Library System, Amerks players, along with The Moose, taught kids about hockey and the importance of reading. The program also rewarded kids for reading and selected two grand prize winners that will won dinner, suite tickets and the opportunity to participate in the ceremonial puck drop at an Amerks game. The Amerks also distributed ticket vouchers and activity books to each youth in attendance that was good for one complimentary ticket for any Amerks home game. Each appearance also featured a raffle for Amerk memorabilia and an autograph session by the visiting player and The Moose. The second half of "Reading Power Play" entered kids into a grand prize drawing. Youth participants completed out a form for every three books they read, which then qualified them for an entry into the grand prize drawing.

In operation since 1936, the AHL continues to serve as the top development league for all 30 National Hockey League teams. More than 85 percent of today's NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and the 2009-10 season marks the ninth consecutive year in which more than 6 million fans have attended AHL games across North America.

For further information, call the Amerks Communications Office at (585) 454-5335 ext. 3025.

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