Amarillo Gets to Know Its Hockey Players

Published on November 22, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Amarillo Gorillas News Release


AMARILLO, TX - Since arriving for training camp last month, Gorillas players have been extremely active and involved in the Amarillo community, regularly participating in local events, fundraisers and specialty functions.

Most recently, this past weekend, the Gorillas teamed with the High Plains Food Bank for its annual Food Drive. Amarillo collected well over 5,000 non-perishable canned food items in its Wolfin Square Plaza office in exchange for free tickets for fans. Participants were required to donate ten cans per ticket with a limit of four tickets per family.

"It is an incredible event that we have been thrilled to remain a part of for the past few years," said General Manager Darren McLean. "It was truly a huge success; fans started arriving with cans before we even announced when we would start collecting them. We're looking forward to getting involved again next year!"

Several players also visited United Supermarket outlets in an effort to help collect cans.

"As of now, we've raised about 69,000 pounds of food and roughly $10,000 from people graciously donating at our sites," said Zach Wilson, the Fund Raising and Public Relations Coordinator for the High Plains Food Bank. "The Gorillas promotion was a great way to conclude the event, restock our Food Bank shelves and it's always a terrific opportunity for people to be rewarded with great hockey action for their generosity!"

In addition to the Canned Food Drive, the Gorillas recently participated in the Hastings Book Drive, an event centered around promoting literacy. Fans donated books to the Northwest Hospital and the Women's and Children's Health Care Center. Players, with their collection of more than 600 donated books, then visited the two facilities to read to children.

"The event was very supportive of our Reach Out and Read Program promoting literacy in children to help curb a lack of education and dependency," said Mark Miracle, the Director of Women's and Children's Health Care Center. "Our organization is very appreciative to the Gorillas, their supporters and the Hastings Corporation for their partnership to make this Book Drive a success."

"We only raised about 250 books last year so it felt extra special to blow that number out of the water this season," gushed McLean. "Just as we doubled last year's totals in the Canned Food Drive, we would like to keep our book total numbers rising each and every year."

Among a collection of events participated in by the Gorillas players, staff and mascot Stomp this season, several members of the squad took time from the ice during October's Red Ribbon Week to speak to young elementary school students about the importance of not doing drugs. The Gorillas visited elementary students at Rogers, Whittier and Western Plateau.

"As prominent members of this community, our players are in a unique position to really make a difference and help those less fortunate," said McLean. "We are also privileged to be able to educate others. There is no greater reward for our guys."

The Gorillas will be out and about again this Wednesday night, dining at the Chop Chop Japanese Steakhouse at 6 pm. Fans are encouraged to come out and meet the team. Chop Chop Japanese Steakhouse is located on 34th and Coulter.

Amarillo returns to action this weekend with a pair of home games at The Jungle against Austin and Lubbock. Friday's contest on November 25th is presented by AMA TechTel. It's "Run from Your Relatives" for 50-cent hot dogs at the Civic Center! Then, Saturday, November 26th, is the Plains Dairy "Grades for Blades" and Surprise Parties Ladies Night! Both games begin at 7 pm.

Amarillo Gorillas Hockey Presented by NewsChannel 10 on both Friday and Saturday will be broadcast on 1440 AM The Score with Gorillas Pre-Game set to begin at 6:45 pm live from the Civic Center. The game will also be available at www.amarillogorillas.com and on CHLTV (www.chltv.com).

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Central Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2005


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.

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