Firebirds Raise over $100,000 for Local Charities in Inaugural OHL Season
Published on March 14, 2016 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
Flint, Mich. - As the conclusion of the club's inaugural season in the Ontario Hockey League approaches, the Flint Firebirds are proud to announce that the organization has raised over $100,000 for local charities in Flint & Genesee County.
The Firebirds will be presenting two checks for $2,444.51 each to both The Hurley Foundation and The Community Foundation tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the Hurley Medical Center in Flint. The Firebirds will then present a third check to the United Way of Genesee County for $11,447.00 at 11:00 a.m.
The two checks that will be presented to The Hurley Foundation and The Community Foundation come from the fundraising efforts of the Sarnia Sting Hockey Club who earned a combined $4,889.02. Sting fans were encouraged to bring cash to donate at the game against the Firebirds on Friday, Jan. 29. The organization also set aside $2 from every ticket purchased at the box office to donate to the City of Flint to help alleviate the water crisis.
Firebirds team president, Costa Papista stated: "From day one, our goal has been to integrate ourselves into the fabric of the Flint and Genesee County community. I am very proud of our organization, our fans and our numerous charity and corporate partners. We have definitely made a significant and positive impact on the community as we intended."
"Just like everybody else, we wanted to show our support during their time of need," said Sarnia Sting President, Bill Abercrombie. "As an OHL member team, we felt that a fundraiser was the least we could do for our friends across the border. The people of Sarnia-Lambton have always rallied around the initiatives we have supported in the past, and once again answered our call."
On behalf of the Sarnia Sting, Costa Papista, Flint Firebirds President and Susana Wight, Director of Community Relations & Marketing along with Firebirds players Will Bitten & Alex Peters will present the two checks to Richard Warmbold, Ph.D, Hurley Foundation President and Sandra Murphy, The Community Foundation of Greater Flint's Director of Donor Services.
"Hurley Medical Center remains committed to providing the highest level of comprehensive clinical and compassionate care for Genesee County and surrounding communities for over 108 years," said Richard Warmbold, Ph.D., President, Hurley Foundation. "As the leading premier public academic medical center, all donations enable us to continue providing the most outstanding wellness education, disease prevention outreach and resources our community counts on, 24/7. We thank the Flint Firebirds for their amazing support which allows us to continue "touching lives through better medicine."
The Firebirds will then make their third check presentation of $11,477 to The United Way of Genesee County. The United Way and the United Auto Workers (UAW) partnered with the Firebirds to host a friendly game before the Firebirds OHL game on Saturday Feb. 27^th. All proceeds from the jersey auction following the charity scrimmage including the 50/50 raffle, chuck-a-puck and program sales will be donated to The United Way of Genesee County Tuesday.
"This is a generous gift for our community, United Way is appreciative of all the support from the Flint Firebirds" said Jamie Gaskin, CEO of the United Way of Genesee County.
Earlier this season, the Firebirds announced that the organization raised over $50,000 leading up to the month of January. Since then, the Flint Firebirds along with the help from other OHL clubs such as the Sarnia Sting and Windsor Spitfires have raised an additional $50,000 for local charities such as the American Cancer Society, Autism Awareness Center, Boy Scouts of America, Catholic Charities, Eastern Michigan Hockey Association, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Goodwill, McLaren Foundation, Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, United Way, West Flint Optimist Club and the Whaley Children's Foundation.
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