ECHL Atlanta Gladiators

March Gladness: Gladiators Raise Over $78,000 for Local Charities

Published on March 27, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Atlanta Gladiators News Release


As the the Gwinnett Gladiators marched through the final month of their regular season schedule, clinching the 7th playoff berth in the 9-year history of the Gwinnett franchise, the Gladiators organization teamed up with their generous fans to raise over $78,000 for local charities in North Georiga through various annual team fundraising initatives including "Pink in the Rink" Weekend, "Big Wheel Rally", Specialty Jersey Auction and "Fed By The Gladiators".

Yet again, the Gladiators annual "Pink in the Rink" event was a hugely successful cancer awareness and fundraising activity. With the team skating on a pink ice surface at the Arena at Gwinnett Center over a three game homestand March 2nd, 3rd and 4th, the Gladiators returned more than $10,000 to local cancer-related causes through ticket sales fundraisers over the weekend, with sales of commemorative "Pink in the Rink 2012" official team merchandise raising an additional $1,000.

The 5th Annual "Big Wheel Rally" took place over the final regular season homestand on March 16th and 17th at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Presented by the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays and Associates, pledges and donations resulting from the three-day/two-game charity event brought in over $32,000.

The annual Specialty Jersey Auction following the Gladiators thrilling 4-3 comeback win over division-rival Greenville on March 17th raised over $37,000. Featuring a special St. Patrick's Day theme, 24 jerseys netted a minimum of $1,000 each during a live postgame auction, with Nikita Kashirsky's game-worn #17 going for the highest winning bid of $2,500.

On March 20th, the "Fed by the Gladiators" event was held at the historic Northwoods Country Club in Duluth. Gladiators players served as waiters for the privately catered event, which included an auction of the players autographed t-shirts donned for the dinner service. Once again, Russian-born Nikita Kashirsky's apparel garnered the high bid ($850), with the combined total of tips, contributions, and auction proceeds netting over $9,000.

The funds raised through these charitable events during the month of March will benefit The Sport of Giving, Keep Georgia Safe and the Gladiators Foundation for Kids. The Gladiators for Kids Fund is managed by the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, a 501-C-3 charitable organization based in Duluth, GA.

In addition to the proceeds generated as part of the "March Gladness" activities, the Gladiators conducted a multitude of charitable and community-oriented efforts during the 6-month regular season which began last October. This includes the annual Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive, "Coats For Kids, and "Teddy Bear Toss" promotions, the annual "Hat Trick For Reading" campaign to promote literacy in area elementary & middle schools, and direct fundraising support for numerous community groups, non-profit entities, and charitable events. Sponsorship of these wide-ranging community activities has resulted in contributions totalling nearly $119,000, with a grand total for the 2011-2012 season of just over $197,000. Since the innaugural 2002-2003 season, the combined philanthropic investment by Gladiators professional hockey to the greater Atlanta, Gwinnett County, and North Georgia communities is estimated at over $1.7 million.

First round action in the 12012 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs is set for Friday, April 6th @ 7:05pm. Sunday, April 8th @ 2:05pm, and Monday, April 9th (if necessary) @ 7:05pm. The Gladiators are the ECHL Affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres and the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League and are members of the ECHL, the Premier "AA" Hockey League and play all home games at the 11,355-seat Arena at Gwinnett Center, located just off I-85 on Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth.




ECHL Stories from March 27, 2012


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