Defenders Fans Deliver In Time Of Need
May 2, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- Civic pride and humanitarianism were put on display in front of a boisterous crowd on Thursday, May 2 at Dodd Stadium as $2,909.78 was raised to support the victims of the Peachtree Apartments fire that claimed the homes of 155 Norwich residents.
It seemed like a normal Thursday night at Dodd Stadium as fans shuffled into the ballpark to watch the Defenders defeat the visiting Trenton Thunder 5-4. But, there was a lot more going on. All but $2 of every ticket sold was being set aside for 155 people who lost their homes April 26th in a blaze that engulfed a 120 unit apartment complex.
"We are grateful to Lou DiBella and the entire Defenders ownership group for allowing us to do this event. Their focus on the community enables our staff to reach out when our community is in need," said Defenders' General Manager Charlie Dowd. "Even more so, we are grateful to our fans as they showed up in force to help. We are overwhelmed with the amount of support that they have shown."
Monies were raised in a myriad of ways at the ballpark as not only tickets contributed to the cause, but buckets were placed throughout the ballpark for additional donations. In addition, a raffle took place during the game to help raise funds. Autographed bats from both the visiting Trenton Thunder and the Connecticut Defenders were raffled off to the highest bidder as the entire sum was donated to the Peachtree victims.
The American Red Cross' Norwich Fire Family Fund will handle the disbursement of funds to help aid the displaced victims.
The catastrophic fire hit close to home as one of the Defenders' own was directly impacted by the blaze. Head Groundskeeper and Director of Operations, Mike Cannistra was a tenant in the complex.
"We are grateful that Mike and all of the other residents are safe. It is hard to fathom how much their lives have been turned upside down," Charlie Dowd said.
The Defenders will return to Dodd Stadium to face off against the Binghamton Mets on Friday, May 9 at 6:35pm. For further information, visit ctdefenders.com or call the box office at (860) 887-7962.
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