Condors Raise Record $470,000 in Donations in 2006-07
Published on June 6, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors had a record-breaking year in community service in 2006- 07, as the ECHL club donated more than $470,000 in goods, services and monetary donations for local non- profit organizations and schools.
In 2005-06, the Condors raised more than $400,000 and surpassed the $2 million mark for donations in franchise history, dating back to 1998- 99. This year's proceeds are up 16 percent from last season, bringing the historical total to nearly $2.5 million dollars. The Condors are proud of these accomplishments and would like to say thank you to all the fans and organizations that have been partners along the way.
"It is an honor to support our local community partners in Kern County," Condors President Matthew Riley said. "Together we make an unbeatable team on and off the ice, as our successes continue to grow. We look forward to an exciting 10th Anniversary Season to cap off a decade full of memories and making a difference."
The $97,200 raised in the Condors' "Jersey Off Our Back Auctions" led this year's fundraising efforts and not only set an overall record, but also set an individual jersey record. A team record of $5,100 was donated for Kevin St. Jacques 2006 Veteran's Day Jersey, but that number was topped by the $5,200 bid for Andrew Oke's 2007 St. Patrick's Day Jersey. Among the organizations that received proceeds from the auctions were the Active 20/30 Club, Kern Adult Literacy Council, Petroleum Shrine Club and the Ronald McDonald House.
The Third Annual Fighting Cancer Hockey- Thon drew a record-setting $61,238 for "Links for Life," a local cancer resource center. This event nearly doubled the number of participants and tripled the amount of proceeds from the previous year.
Another $23,489 was raised on behalf of the Kern County Shrine Club at the Seventh Annual "Tip-A- Condor" charity dinner. In addition, the Condors Charity Golf Tournament brought in $8,000, up from $3,000 the previous season, to benefit various non- profit organizations in Kern County.
The Eighth Annual Teddy Bear Toss on Nov. 25 gathered 5,475 stuffed animals for youth- oriented non- profits in Kern County and set the single game attendance mark during the 2006-07 season, with 8,743 fans. It was also the fourth largest crowd in franchise history.
The Condors once again teamed up with local- area businesses and the United Way of Kern County to provide tickets for underprivileged children and worthy non-profit organizations, through the "Raymond's Rascals" and "Big Buddies" programs. In addition, graduates of the D.A.R.E. program and students who excelled in Condors educational programs, T.H.I.N.K. and Classroom Champions, received free admission to a game for their successes. More than 23,000 tickets were donated on behalf of all the programs listed above.
Other highlights from the 2006-07 season include:
Local non-profit organizations and schools raised more than $59,000 for their causes by participating in Condors fundraisers in 2006- 07.
Jersey Raffles supported "Organizations of the Night" at each of the Condors home games, to help raise more than $15,000.
The Condors held canned food collections on Feb. 27 and at their annual Open House, on Oct. 8, to support the Bakersfield Homeless Center, and nearly 4,000 pounds of non-perishable foods were collected. In addition, the Project Warm Families Coat Collection on Nov. 21 brought in nearly 1,400 coats, also benefiting the Bakersfield Homeless Center.
The Condors hosted the Third Annual Field Trip Day on Nov. 14, welcoming more than 5,200 students from around Kern County to Rabobank Arena. A special 10:30 a.m. start time accommodated students, and they were provided lunch and a Condors educational packet including information about math, science, geography and health and fitness.
The 2006-07 season provided plenty of opportunities for the Condors to make weekly appearances to support students and non- profit organizations, and Condors players, mascots and staff members made more than 200 visits throughout Kern County.
During the off season, the tradition of giving back continues. The Condors are once again teaming up with Goodwill Industries to visit surrounding communities for Condors Care-A-Vans. Last summer, Condors players, mascots, coaches and staff hit the road with Goodwill Industries to visit Delano, Lake Isabella, Shafter, Taft and Tehachapi to promote the Condors and collect donations. This summer we are excited to visit various locations in Kern County to celebrate our upcoming 10th Anniversary Season. If your community or organization would like a to have a Care-A-Van stop at your location, call the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825).
Last season, the Condors won the 2005 Beautiful Bakersfield Group Humanitarian Award and are in the running for the same honor in 2006. In addition, the Condors games placed second in "Best Family Attraction" in Bakersfield Life Magazine. The Condors would like to say thank you to all our loyal fans and we look forward to many more prosperous years to come!
2006-07 Charity Events Listing:
Oct. 8: Open House and Canned Food Collection for Bakersfield Homeless Center
Nov. 7: Faast Pharmacy presents the Condors Charity Golf Tournament
Nov. 11: KUZZ 107.9 & McDonald's Veteran's Day Jersey Raffle & Auction
Nov. 14: Bakersfield Californian, KERN 1410 AM & Arrival Communications Field Trip Day/Businessperson Special
Nov. 21: KGET-TV 17, KHTY Mighty 970 & Barber Honda Project Warm Families Coat Collection
Nov. 25 : 29 Eyewitness News, KERN 1410 AM & Wells Fargo Bank Teddy Bear Toss
Dec. 2: Holiday Inn Select presents DARE Night
Jan 10: CW Bakersfield & 106.1 KRAB Radio High School / College ID Night
Jan. 27: FOX 58 & Bud Light present Super Bowl Jersey Raffle & Auction Feb. 7: Kern Adult Literacy Council Book Drive
Feb. 13: KUZZ and Buck Owens Crystal Palace present Tip-A-Condor Charity Dinner
Feb. 16: KERI 1180am & Island Style present Christian Recording Artist ever stays red & the Veggie Tales, live
Feb. 17: Bright House Networks, KUZZ 107.9 & Grand Island Pools Condors Fighting Cancer Hockey-Thon
Feb. 24: KGET-TV 17, Big 96.5 & McDonald's Youth Jersey Giveaway
Feb. 27: My TV 45 & 96.9 The Beat Help for the Homeless Canned Food Collection
Mar. 17: Bright House Networks, 101.5 KGFM & American Business Machines present SpongeBob Sqaurepants & St. Patrick's Day Jersey Raffle & Auction
Mar. 21: Department of Human Services Shoe Drive.
Mar. 28: KUZZ 107.9 Blood Drive Night and Lion's Club Recycle For Sight Eyeglass Collection
Apr. 4: Community Connection for Childcare Cell Phone and Printer Cartridge Collection and the Holiday Inn Select presents DARE Night.
Apr. 13: Pre-Game U.S. Army Camo Jersey Silent Auction.
Thank you to the sponsors and contributors of the Condors youth and educational programs:
Mercy and Memorial Hospitals and ARRC Technology- T.H.I.N.K. (Turn Hockey Into New Knowledge) educational program.
29 The Eyewitness New Station and SC Architect- Classroom Champions educational program.
Holiday Inn Select- D.A.R.E. program
Brighthouse Networks, Wells Fargo Bank and Bakersfield Californian- Condors Kids Club.
The Condors begin their 2007-08 10th Anniversary season Friday, October 19. To view the full 2007-08 schedule, click here.
Season tickets, mini plans and group outings are available NOW. For more information call 324- PUCK (7825), stop by the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or visit us online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com.
ECHL Stories from June 6, 2007
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