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Dayton Gems Donate Thousands of Dollars to Local Family & Area First Responders

March 27, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Dayton Gems News Release


Dayton, OH - The Dayton Gems professional hockey team, a proud member of the "AA" Central Hockey League" released details on their charitable donations to injured infant Caleb Zwiebel as part of last Saturday's "Pack the House Night" fundraiser and to two national first responder organizations from March 16's "Police & Fire Night".

As part of the final home game of the season last Saturday, promoted as "Pack the House for Caleb Night" inside the historic Hara Arena, the Gems will make a charitable donation consisting of $1 from each ticket purchased for the game. In total, the Dayton Gems will be donating the Zwiebel family $5,002.

Caleb Zwiebel, a one year old infant from Lakeview, Ohio, was injured along with his parents in an automobile accident on August 9, 2011. After being contacted by a close family friend earlier in March, the Gems have stepped up to help the Zweibel family raise funds for Caleb's continued treatments.

"Our family could have never imagined that we would face such a tragedy, and through lots of prayer and faith Caleb has come this far, commented Caleb's grandmother Hope. We are forever grateful to the Dayton Gems for having "Pack the House" night for Caleb. Through the generosity of the Gems fans and family we will be one step closer to the care he needs. The Dayton Gems have shown the values, love and spirit that the community was built on."

The Gems charitable giving continues as part of "Salute to Police & Fire Night" back on March 16, which encouraged local police and fire departments from the region to compete in a friendly ticket sales competition, as well as an entertaining on-ice tug of war. The event was a success, as several hundred tickets were sold combined, with the Gems donating $1 from each ticket sold as part of the competition to either the Concerns for Police Officers organization or the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. With the law enforcement side edging out the fire departments in total tickets sold, the Gems will be donating an extra $1,000 bonus to the Concerns for Police Officers charity.

"As these charitable donations continue our commitment to reaching out and helping make our community stronger and better, it is with great pride that we as an organization can make a positive difference in so many lives" noted Gems president Joe Greene.

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