af2 Green Bay Blizzard

Blizzard Raises More Than $4,500 For Cancer

Published on June 14, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release


The Green Bay Blizzard may not have won Saturday night's game against the Manchester Wolves, but there were plenty of winners around the Resch Center.

On a stormy night that saw everyone in the Arena hurried into the Resch Center/ShopKo Hall connector during a severe thunderstorm and tornado warning prior to the game, the Blizzard held a silent auction and raffle to benefit Kids With Cancer/The Angel Fund. Complete with a free autograph signing by 10 members of the Green Bay Packers, including veterans Donald Driver and Grady Jackson, the Blizzard was able to raise a grand total of $4,512.49.

The money was raised by taking bids on memorabilia from numerous professional sports franchises from the National Football League, Arena Football League, and Major League Baseball. Area sponsors also showed their support by donating items for the auction, such as Oneida Casino, Horseshoe Bay Farms, Carlson/Wagonlit Travel, Packer Fan Tours, and the Hilton Garden Inn.

Blizzard fans also stepped up by donating cash, dropping their spare change into a display near the autograph tables. Of note, one young Blizzard fan showed how much he cared by reaching up to drop every cent he had in his pocket into the donation bin.

The gesture was witnessed by Kathy Toonen, one of the event's organizers. "He was waiting in line to bid on the autographed baseballs, and he just smiled, reached into his pocket, dropped in all the change he had and walked away," said Toonen. "I heard him say ‘it's for a good cause,' and it just warmed my heart. He could have used that money to buy munchies or souvenirs, but he chose to donate it to help other children. The human spirit always amazes us."

The fan was Chris Burzinski, who will be celebrating his 13th birthday on June 21st. He was attending Saturday night's game with his best friend, Zak Mielke, who was the winner of the "Name The Team" contest that the Blizzard held back in 2003. Zak's father Todd also showed his generous nature as the winning bidder on both the Brett Favre Autographed Atlanta Falcons helmet and the Autographed Jim Thome Philadelphia Phillies jersey.

The Honorary Captain for the evening was Ashwaubenon High School baseball player Andrew Dorner, who is a survivor of cancer himself. He took part in the presentation of the game ball to the officials, and flipped the coin to begin the game. Upon meeting Donald Driver before the game, the two shared a laugh as they compared their bald heads and posed for photographs.

In addition to the outstanding outpouring of generosity, several fans left the Resch Center after the game planning vacations. Two fans, chosen at random prior to the start of the game, each won a pair of round-trip airline tickets to their choice of destination – anywhere in the continental U.S. – by winning Blizzard on-field promotions.

The first was Jeffrey Zellner, who had traveled to Green Bay all the way from Savage, Minnesota to see his cousin, Blizzard FB/LB Dustin Sagedahl, play. He took the field to attempt the Carlson/Wagonlit Field Goal Challenge, which is a single attempt at a field goal from the 15-yard-line. Zellner made his attempt old-school style, kicking straight on, and sneaked the ball just inside the right upright. He won two round-trip tickets anywhere in the continental U.S., courtesy of Carlson/Wagonlit Travel.

The second was Jacob Wagner, who had driven down from Marinette for the game. He took part in a promotion by af2 league sponsors American Airlines/American Eagle, the AA/AE "Punt/Pass/Kick." He squared off against Austin Rockstroh of Ashwaubenon as the two contestants had to punt, throw and kick a field goal through the uprights from the 10-yard-line. Austin went first, missing his punt, making his throw, and missing his field goal. Wagner missed his punt, but made his throw and his field goal to win a pair of round-trip tickets, this time courtesy of American Airlines/American Eagle.

The Blizzard takes to the road this weekend against the Louisville Fire, whom they defeated 65-49 in Green Bay on May 14th. The next home game will be on Friday, June 24th on "A Night Of Majik." The first 1,000 fans age 14 and under will receive a Don Majkowski "Majik Man" Bobble-head, courtesy of Piggly Wiggly. It is also "Bud Light Buck Night," and all fans age 21 and older can enjoy ice cold Budweiser beer for only $1.00.

To get your Blizzard tickets, visit the Resch Center box office or contact Ticket Star at (920) 494-3401.

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