Community Involvement Highlights Announced for 2007-2008 Season

Published on August 28, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder of the ECHL and Stockton Lightning of the arenafootball2 league announced today the creation of the Stockton Thunder and Lightning Foundation. The foundation's mission mirrors that of the teams' community mission statements in that its goal is to serve as a positive force in the local community "by assisting and supporting community organizations, charitable, and educational programs that improve the quality of life for residents of the San Joaquin Valley and its surrounding areas."

"It is a high priority of the Stockton Thunder and Stockton Lightning to be actively involved in our community and be good partners," said Thunder and Lightning president Dan Chapman. "This foundation will allow us to do just that and provide us the means to support many worthy organizations and causes throughout San Joaquin County."

The foundation's Board of Directors includes Michael Reinsdorf as Director and Chief Operating Officer, Nancy Reinsdorf as Secretary and Dan Chapman as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. The foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.

The Thunder also announced today the team will once again partner with local school districts to offer area students incentives for meeting their school and classroom goals.

"Last year was a very exciting year for us because of the tremendous response we got from local schools," Thunder director of public relations Brenda Bryant said. "We look forward to getting even more schools involved this season, especially schools in the more rural areas of the county. Our goal is to assist schools in motivating their students to achieve their goals."

For the third season the Thunder will offer the "I am here!" program to promote attendance, the "Be a winner!" character program, and the "Academic All-Stars" achievement program for students that make honor roll.

The team also has a reading program, "Be Cool...READ!" which culminates in March with live player reading appearances at local libraries and sponsor locations.

Students who are recognized through the Thunder school programs receive a free ticket to select Thunder home games. Last season, the team recognized over 12,000 students in San Joaquin County school districts. This year the programs will further expand to include schools in surrounding counties as well.

The 2007-08 Stockton Thunder school program recognition dates are:

Be Cool...READ!

Wednesday, November 21

Thursday, February 28

Friday, February 29

Saturday, March 1

I Am Here!

Friday, December 7

Saturday, December 8

Wednesday, February 13

Academic All-Stars

Friday, December 14

Wednesday, March 26

Be A Winner!

Friday, December 21

Saturday, December 22

Friday, March 7

For more information on the Stockton Thunder school programs contact Brenda Bryant, Director of Public Relations at (209) 373-1519 or email bbryant@stocktonthunder.com.

For information regarding requests for donations and grants from the Stockton Thunder and Lightning Foundation, please contact the Stockton Thunder and Stockton Lightning at (209) 373-1500 or by fax at (209) 373-1525.

ABOUT THE ECHL

Opening Day for the 20th Anniversary Season will be Oct. 18 when the Johnstown Chiefs host the Wheeling Nailers at Cambria County War Memorial in a rematch of Game 7 from the first-ever ECHL Finals.

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary as the Premier 'AA' Hockey League in 2007-08, the ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in three states and has grown to be a coast-to-coast league that will have 25 teams in 17 states and British Columbia in 2007-08. The 25 teams includes the Mississippi (Biloxi) Sea Wolves, who return after missing two seasons in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and the expansion Elmira (N.Y.) Jackals. The ECHL will play 900 games beginning Oct. 18 and concluding Apr. 5.

Details on Thunder 2007 training camp information will be announced soon. The Thunder begins the 2007-08 ECHL season Friday, October 19 on the road against the Bakersfield Condors at 7:00 p.m. PT, and faces the Alaska Aces on Saturday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. PT in the home opener at Stockton Arena.

Host of the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game and the ECHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League and the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League, the Thunder has led the ECHL in attendance for two consecutive seasons and drew 244,085 fans to Stockton Arena in 2006-07. Season tickets for 2007-08 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.

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