ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Continue Community Outreach In March

March 5, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Checkers continue to branch out into the community for the month of March. Players, coaches and front office staff will hit the streets making their presence felt throughout Charlotte.

March 6 - Checkers beloved mascot Chubby and the Charlotte Checkers CheckMates will attend the Salute to Heroes kick-off pep rally from Noon-1:00 p.m. at the Wachovia Atrium on South Tryon Street during which the Fire Department Pipe and Drum Band will perform. Also performing is Noah Rice Tenor from Opera Carolina.

March 6 - Chubby will then make an additional appearance at the Smith Academy's from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in their carpool line greeting students and their families.

March 9 - Chubby will make an appearance at Eastover Elementary school's carpool line from 2:00-3:00 p.m. in their carpool line greeting students and their families.

March 12 - Checkers athletic trainer Dan Welch and Checkers player will attend a Boy Scout Troop program to promote sportsmanship and healthy eating at 4:00 p.m.

March 13 - Checkers players will attend the Davidson Day School in Davidson N.C. to teach advanced French to middle and high school students from 1:00- 3:30 p.m.

March 23- Checkers Seventh Annual Charity Golf Classic presented by Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation. This year's proceeds will again benefit Presbyterian Hemby Children's Hospital and the Checkers Charitable Foundation. Checkers players, coaches and front office staff will be in attendance and the media is welcome to attend the event.

March 24 - Checkers head coach and general manager, Derek Wilkinson, will appear at Wild Wing Café at the University location for "Coaches Corner." This event will take place from 7 p.m.- 8 p.m. Fans are invited to ask coach Wilkinson questions in an open microphone format.

This season, the Checkers continued to give back to the community with successful events like the annual Pink in the Rink , the Hemby Cup games. This season, Pink in the Rink raised over $22,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, American Cancer Society and Carolina Breast Friends. The 2009 Hemby Cup was a huge success raising over $58,000 to support the Arts For Life program at Presbyterian Hemby Children's Hospital and the Presbyterian Blume Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic. The Hemby Cup, which was established in 2001, has raised over $600,000 to benefit the Presbyterian Hemby Children's Hospital, the Presbyterian Blume Hematology Oncology Clinic, and the Presbyterian Children's Emergency Department. The money raised this year will continue to fund the Arts For Life program through the end of 2010.

Also, the Charlotte Checkers received the Community Blood Center of the Carolina's Vision Award on February 26, 2009 at the Donor and Sponsor Awards. CBCC chose the Charlotte Checkers for this award because both organizations focus on building and strengthening bonds in the community. The Checkers and CBCC work annually together for the "Out for Blood" blood drive which collected 16 pints of blood to save local lives this season. In addition to the blood drive, the Checkers are making the month of March "Blood Donor appreciation Month."

The Checkers are in their 16th season of play as a member of the ECHL. The next Checkers home game will take place on March 8 against the Trenton Devils at 4 p.m. In the team's 15-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 11 times including four consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are playing their fourth season of play at Time Warner Cable Arena. . For season ticket information, please call 704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

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ECHL Stories from March 5, 2009


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