AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Foundation Helps Raise Over $73,000 for Central New York Non-Profits and Youth Organizations

Published on May 24, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse, NY (May 24, 2011) - The Syracuse Crunch announced today that the Crunch Foundation, the club's charitable arm, helped raise over $73,000 for Central New York non-profits and youth organizations during the 2010-11 season.

Through various programs and platforms, approximately 130 different organizations were helped by the efforts of the Crunch Foundation whether through fundraising, awareness nights, school and hospital visits, player and mascot appearances, blood drive, toy drive and food drives.

Highlights from the 2010-11 season include:

Pink in the Rink - On October 30 vs. Albany, the Crunch hosted 'Pink in the Rink,' a breast cancer awareness night, to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Upstate Cancer Center. All fans were encouraged to wear pink and had the opportunity to bid on numerous items through a silent auction. As a result, the Crunch Foundation was able to make a $2,000 donation to Komen CNY and Upstate Cancer Center.

Brown & Brown Empire State Crouse Hospital Hockey Classic - On January 15, the Crunch Foundation partnered with Crouse Hospital to host the 'Brown & Brown Empire State Crouse Hospital Hockey Classic.' This inaugural event featured a charity hockey game between the Syracuse Fire Department and the Brown & Brown Selects. In addition, a sports-themed silent auction was held. In all, over $13,700 was raised from the event and donated to the Walter R.G. Baker Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Crouse Hospital.

Weekend of Wishes - On Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12, the Crunch celebrated a 'Weekend of Wishes,' by holding a pottery auction to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Ceramic plates, previously designed and created by Crunch players and wish kids, were auctioned. In addition, the Crunch held the second annual 'Aspen Dental Battle for the Denture Cup,' a charity hockey game featuring two men's league teams from Syracuse and Rochester whose ages are 50 and older. In all, the weekend's events raised approximately $4,000 for Make-A-Wish.

Crunch vs. Cancer - On April 7 vs. Norfolk, the Crunch partnered with New Era Cap Company for 'Crunch vs. Cancer,' an awareness and fundraising night for pediatric cancer research. The Crunch sold a limited number of 'Crunch vs. Cancer' baseball caps in which the funds were donated to Caps for Kids. A highlight of the night included an on-ice wish announcement to a local boy from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, revealing his wish to visit Disney World. In addition, over $1,700 was raised to benefit eight different organizations.

Crunch Cares - For the 2010-11 season, the Crunch introduced the 'Crunch Cares' program, which provided tickets to local soldiers stationed at Fort Drum, soldier families in Central New York and other non-profit organizations with the help of area companies and individuals. Through this initiative, the Crunch were able to bring over 1,800 people to a game.

Youth Hockey Initiative - The Crunch also began a program this past season to assist families with the costs associated with playing youth hockey. Teams and families were able to sell Crunch ticket vouchers at a discount and keep a portion of the proceeds. Approximately $14,000 was raised for families involved with local youth hockey through this initiative.

In addition to the above programs and events, the Crunch undertook a number of other charitable initiatives, such as the Crunch Foundation prize wheel, American Red Cross blood drive, Toys for Tots drive, Sunny D youth hockey clinic, Luck O' the Puck fundraiser, Autism Awareness Night presented by Wells Fargo Advisors, Labatt's Celebrity Bartending Series, Central New York Eye and Tissue Bank Awareness Night, B'ville Diner 'Shoot to Cure MS' program, Pucks 'N' Paws, The UPS Stores 'Claw Away Animal Hunger' program, St. Patrick Hunger Project food drive, Adopt-A-Kid, Uncle Bob's Self-Storage 'Youth Charity of the Month' program, Chuck-A-Puck, Dunkin' Donuts 'Munchkin Box' program, Denny's 'Score for Charities' program, POMCO Group 'Score for American Diabetes Association's Camp Aspire,' Time Warner Cable Crunch Classic to benefit the Foundation for Faces of Children, Plumley Engineering Saves for 'Tennis for the Cure' program and many others.

The Crunch Foundation continues to strive to strengthen and broaden the impact of the Syracuse Crunch in the Central New York region by providing funds to non-profit groups and by supporting educational and community programs. Questions regarding the Crunch Foundation may be directed to Amanda Susko, Director of Community & Fan Development, at asusko@syracusecrunch.com.

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