Fans Get the Jerseys Off Our Backs for Nearly $14,000
March 17, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
Bakersfield, Calif. â The Bakersfield Condors and their fans teamed up on Saturday night to pull in $13,850 for donation to CASA of Kern County through the "Jersey Off Our Backs" raffle and auction at Centennial Garden. The total amount raised through three jersey auctions this season is over $46,000, setting a new single-season record.
The players came out to center ice after Saturday's contest, a 3-2 loss against the league-leading Idaho Steelheads, and modeled the special jerseys they wore during the game. KLLY 95.3 and Burlington Homes sponsored the jersey raffle and auction, which also gave away five jerseys to fans in attendance. The jerseys were designed by the fans in a contest held earlier in the year, combining several submissions to create the final product.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a nonprofit organization that serves as a voice for children in the juvenile court systems of Kern County. CASA matches highly skilled volunteers with an abused or neglected child to advocate for a safe, permanent home. The funds will go to help underwrite the recruiting, screening and supervising of volunteers. For more information about CASA, visit their website at www.kerncasa.org.
"This auction is a win/win for children and nonprofit groups in Kern County," said CASA of Kern County Executive Director Colleen McGauley. "Not only did the organization receive some valuable funds, but over 6,500 people received information about CASA and helping kids throughout the county. We owe it all to the Condors organization and especially those great Condors fans.
"We have a lot of people to thank with nearly $50,000 raised for charity this season through jersey auctions alone," said Condors Assistant GM Chris Freshour. "These events have become so memorable throughout the years and we're happy to be able to make a contribution to CASA and their wonderful organization.
Center and Team Captain Paul Willett's jersey brought in the highest bid, fetching $1,350. In his history with the team, Willett's jerseys have pulled in a team record $10,825. Goaltender Kevin St. Pierre is the team leader this season, with over $5,000 raised in three auctions, including a record $3,700 during the first "Jersey Off Our Backs" night during the 2002-03 campaign. Almost $150,000 have been raised in four seasons of jersey auctions in Condors history.
In addition to the jersey auction, Smooth Jazz 97.7 sponsored an eyeglasses collection to benefit the Kern County Lions Club annual drive. Over 200 pairs of eyeglasses were donated as a result of the drive.
The Condors travel to Long Beach on Wednesday night for a 7:00pm start. They return home for a pair of games this weekend, starting with San Diego on Friday night. Skyy Dogs USA will entertain the crowd with their canine acrobatics, appearing courtesy of Time Warner Cable and Radio Disney. The San Diego Gulls come into town on Saturday night for the return of the Famous Chicken to Centennial Garden. The Chicken appears courtesy of KGET-TV 17, K-Lite 105.3 and Bill Wright Toyota. Game time on both nights is 7:00pm and the doors open at 6:00pm.
Individual tickets can be purchased at the Centennial Garden Box Office, which is open from 10:00am-6:00pm Monday through Saturday, by calling Ticketmaster at 322-2525, online at ticketmaster.com or stopping by any Ticketmaster location. Season tickets and group outings may be purchased by calling 324-PUCK (7825) or by visiting the Condors office next to Centennial Garden.
Condors droppings: The Condors Closet, the team's retail outlet across the street from Centennial Garden, is having a "Milestone March" sale to commemorate Paul Willett's 1,000th career point. All Willett Bobblehead dolls are half price with the purchase of any Condors shirt.
ECHL Stories from March 17, 2003
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- Fans Get the Jerseys Off Our Backs for Nearly $14,000 - Bakersfield Condors
- Condors Celebrate St. Patrick's Day; $13,850 Raised on Saturday to Benefit CASA - Bakersfield Condors
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