Gladiators Military Appreciation Jerseys Net $ 46,000.00 For Charity
March 14, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release
The Gwinnett Gladiators announced today that their 3rd Annual Jersey Off Our Backs Charity Auction raised over $46,000.00. The auction took place following the Gladiators thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against South Carolina on Sunday night.
The jerseys, designed as a tribute to US military personnel past and present, featured the tan and brown camouflage design presently worn by US military serving in the Middle East. As with Gwinnett's traditional jersey, the Gladiators crest adorned the front of each sweater with the United States flag highlighted on the front left chest.
The jerseys were worn at both Saturday night's game vs. Charlotte as well as on Sunday. Following the game on Sunday, Gladiators fans assembled in the Main Lobby of the Arena waiting to bid on their favorite players jersey. Some fans simply wanted one of the limited edition jerseys regardless of whose it was.
Each season, the Gladiators select a theme for their annual Jersey Off Our Backs promotion. A limited number of jerseys are produced for the team to wear during the weekend and they are auctioned off immediately following the game. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Gladiators Foundation for Kids, the team's non-profit arm. In only it's second season of existence, the Foundation has already donated over $ 43,000.00 to many various North Metro Atlanta area charities - most of which focus on children.
"We are extremely thankful and appreciative of our fans support of our annual Jersey Off Our Backs auction," said Gladiators President Steve Chapman, "I thought that both the design and the theme of this season's jersey would be memorable and the fan's certainly responded. The auction is the main fundraiser for our Foundation and it will be a pleasure to distribute these monies next season to the many North Metro Atlanta children's charities that we assist. We also hope that we paid respectful homage to the many men and women that have served our country - both today and in the past."
This season's auction eclipsed the team's previous record of $28,000.00 raised during last year's psychodelic-themed "Turn Back the Clock" jersey auction and nearly tripled the $16,000 raised during the team's inaugural season St. Patrick's Day themed jersey auction in 2003-04.
The 24 jerseys fetched an average of nearly $ 2,000 per jersey. Gladiator's goaltender Sean Fields jersey took the highest bid - bringing in $ 6,000. Other winning bids included $ 3,600 for Right Wing Guillaume Desbiens, $ 3,500 for 6'9" Defenseman Lane Manson and $2,650 for tough guy Adam Smyth. In total, 20 of the 24 jerseys sold for $ 1,000 or more.
In addition to wearing the limited edition military jerseys on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, the Gladiators Military Appreciation Weekend also featured several other military-themed activities. Fans were invited to inspect military vehicles from the 1st Battalion 121st Infantry unit out of Winder, GA and other equipment on the Arena plaza on both Saturday and Sunday as well as interact with US National Guard personnel on hand to demonstrate numerous pieces of military equipment. On Sunday afternoon, fans were also allowed to climb aboard a BlackHawk helicopter as well as two Huey helicopters as both were on display from the 1-185 Assault Battalion and the 832nd Medical Company (AA) Air Ambulance based out of Winder, GA in the main parking area of the Arena and the Chamber of Commerce building.
Other in-game features over the weekend included appearances by the North Georgia College and State University's Mountaineering Platoon and The Mountain Order of Colombo from North Georgia Military College, who delivered the game puck at the start of each game. A particularly poignant moment came on Sunday afternoon as the game was stopped midway through the 2nd Period. The arena lights dimmed and a reverent crowd and players stood in solemn silence as a lone bagpiper played Amazing Grace in honor of our nation's military who gave their lives in defense of our country.
"The Gladiators Foundation for Kids" was established by the by the Gwinnett Gladiators to help support the many Non-Profit Agencies and Organizations who work with Children in Gwinnett and surrounding communities. The Gladiators for Kids Fund is managed by the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, a highly respected 501-C-3 charitable organization based in Duluth, GA.
The Gwinnett Gladiators, who have already clinched a 2006 Kelly Cup Playoff berth, continue the 2005-06 ECHL season on the road as they travel to Greenville to take on the Grrrowl at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, March 17th. The Gladiators offer several ticket packages for different needs as well as group outings, suites and birthday parties. For more information call 770-497-5100 or log on to gwinnettgladiators.com.
The Gladiators play all 36 home games at the Arena at Gwinnett Center located on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth and are the AA affiliate of the Atlanta Thrashers.
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