Buzzards and Marines Join Forces
December 16, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
El Paso Buzzards News Release
EL PASO, Texas – The El Paso Buzzards and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Unit Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marines of El Paso are proud to once again join forces this holiday season to bring holiday cheer to disadvantaged children in the El Paso area. At the Buzzards’ home games on Dec. 20 and 21, the Buzzards will conduct an unwrapped toy drive. For each new, unwrapped toy brought to the El Paso County Coliseum box office, fans will receive buy one get one free on game tickets. As well, during the games there will be a Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are encouraged to toss stuffed toys onto the ice after the Buzzards’ first goal of each night. The toys and bears will be collected and distributed in a join effort by Buzzards’ players and Marines on Christmas Eve to needy children at Thomason Hospital. The local media is invited to come join in this event beginning at 8 a.m. on December 24th at Thomason Hospital.
“The Buzzards organization is proud to sponsor such a wonderful cause,” said Buzzards’ general manager Jamie Reeve. “Toys for Tots does a great job helping out less fortunate children in El Paso and we hope everyone participates at our weekend games because all the children of our community deserve to share in the joy of the holiday season.”
This will be the second year in a row the Buzzards and the Marines have partnered to benefit local children. Last year, more than 1,500 teddy bears were thrown on the ice at the BuzzardsÂ’ holiday games and were later distributed by Buzzards players including defenseman Rhett Dudley at Thomason Hospital on Christmas Eve.
“When it comes to bringing holiday cheer to the children of El Paso, Toys for Tots is this community’s best program,” Dudley said. “It was really heartwarming for me to spend time with these kids last Christmas, especially being so far away from my own family in Canada.”
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December of each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the local community. The toys provide a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.
“We’re happy to team up with the Buzzards to bring Christmas to the needy children in the El Paso area,” said Toys for Tots assistant director Rick Gutierrez. “We’re a 55-year-old organization and we’re short about 25,000 toys this year, so to have the Buzzards’ help is a great boost to the children.”
Tickets are now on sale for both Toys for Tots games: Friday, Dec. 20 vs. the New Mexico Scorpions and Saturday, Dec. 21 vs. the San Angelo Saints. Call the BuzzardsÂ’ ticket office at (915) 533-PUCK for tickets or more information.
BuzzardsÂ’ Santa Packs are now on sale! Fans receive two tickets for each of the next eight home games after Christmas for $99.99. The ticket package is a $240 value. Hockey enthusiasts can Get in the Game and catch exciting Buzzards hockey for 60 percent off the regular ticket price! Santa Packs are the perfect stocking stuffer. For more information, call the BuzzardsÂ’ ticket office at (915) 533-PUCK for more details.
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Central Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2002
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- Scorpions Bitten by Bats but Melt the Ice - New Mexico Scorpions
- McDonald Named Scorpions Coach - New Mexico Scorpions
- Buzzards Release Grasso - El Paso Buzzards
- Buzzards and Marines Join Forces - El Paso Buzzards
- IceRays to Name Dunn as GM - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Close, but No Cigars - El Paso Buzzards
- Saints Week in Review - San Angelo Saints
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