AHL Rochester Americans

Knighthawks to Join Amerks at Annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner

January 6, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release


(Rochester, NY)... The Rochester Americans will team up with the Rochester Knighthawks lacrosse team this year to participate in the 19th Annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner & Sports Memorabilia Auction. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25th at The Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial at 5:30 p.m.

"The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is delighted with Curt Styres' and Lewis Staats' decision to not only continue the tradition of the Celebrity Waiters' Dinner to benefit the CF Foundation, but to expand their commitment to include the Knighthawks and The Blue Cross Arena. There is no doubt of the AMERKS - Knighthawks organization's commitment to the community and the CF Foundation is grateful to remain one of their key community partners. This atypical fundraiser is a wonderful way for fans, families, friends, and corporations to enjoy the AMERKS and Knighthawks players in a fun and relaxed environment while helping the CF Foundation raise dollars to defeat this life-threatening disease," said Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Executive Director Susanne Perrone.

Over the past 18 years, the Amerks have raised over $650,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Rochester. Now the event shifts to the downtown home of the hockey and lacrosse team as part of the teams' renewed commitment to the CF Foundation.

"Both the Amerks and Knighthawks teams have a reputation for giving back to the Rochester community. We are excited about the opportunity of teaming up the Knighthawks' players with the Amerks' players in what has been traditionally an Amerks-only fundraising event," said Amerks and Knighthawks President Lewis Staats. "We have a longstanding relationship with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with our celebrity waiter fundraising event and we are looking for double the fun with stars from the Knighthawks joining in for the fun-filled evening. We look forward to the event and are asking that the entire Rochester community get behind this fundraising effort in support of CF and we hope to have a full house at The Blue Cross Arena on February 25th."

"For many years the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Amerks' organization have successfully used this event as a vehicle to raise awareness and money in support of finding a cure. On behalf of the SMG staff at The Blue Cross Arena, we are honored to have the opportunity to host this wonderful event and assist in the cause," said Blue Cross Arena General Manager Jeff Calkins.

The fun-filled event features players from the Amerks and Knighthawks. That night, the players trade in their jerseys for tuxedoes and serve guests their food and drinks for tips, with all proceeds benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The tipping does not stop after dinner, as players perform antics and tricks with their guests and fellow players for more money. General tickets are just $60 and VIP tickets are $75.

Patrons also bid on great sports memorabilia items from the National Hockey League, American Hockey League, National Lacrosse League and the National Football League. Other items include game-worn jerseys and prize packages from the Amerks and Knighthawks.

One of the most anticipated auctions, however, was the stuffed animals created by the Amerks players at the Eastview Mall Build-A-Bear Workshop®. The furry friends ranged from bears to moose to monkeys, each sporting special outfits portraying the personality of the players. The Build-A-Bear Workshop® creations were available as part of the silent auction. This year both teams will build bears for the event, which was made possible through a donation from J.T. Genier Security Services.

Donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Rochester fund on-going, groundbreaking medical research aimed at curing and controlling cystic fibrosis. The CF Ambassador of Hope is again Kyle Schuhart.

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