Pirates Help Unveil Room at Gary's House

Published on December 3, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME- On Wednesday, December 3rd, the Portland Pirates and Portland Professional Hockey Booster Club held a room dedication ceremony on the 3rd floor at Gary's House at 97 State St. in Portland. Pirates players, Mike Card, Mike Funk, Derek Whitmore and Mike Kostka were at the ceremony to unveil the newly renovated Dorothy Elizabeth Room. The Portland Pirates and the Portland Professional Hockey Booster Club recently renovated the room with freshly painted walls, furniture, hockey memorabilia and lighting. Improvements to the room totaled over $7,000. The Dorothy Elizabeth Room was originally named in memory of Dorothy Elizabeth Lauritsen, by her daughter June and son-in-law William Dejonge, from Kennebunkport. Following the ceremony, the Pirates players helped set-up holiday decorations, including a Christmas tree in the dining room. This is the third year that Pirates players have prepared the house for the holidays. Later today, members of the team will also appear at the Maine Diner in Wells from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in support of "Gary Pike Day" to help raise money for Gary's House.

Gary's House is a home that started as a young man's dream. While undergoing cancer treatment in Boston, Gary Pike saw how financially devastating it was to his family to remain near him. It was his final wish to establish a hospitality home here in southern Maine for families of patients undergoing medical treatment in a Portland area hospital.

This marks the event's 12th year at the Maine Diner and the third year of pairing up with the Pirates. All proceeds from food sales for the day will go directly to support this facility that houses families of loved ones fighting life-threatening illnesses at Mercy Hospital and Maine Medical Center. Last year, the Maine Diner and the Pirates raised more than $2,700.

Over the past seven years, the Pirates have raised $24,000 through the "Goals for Gary's House" program. Each year, fans pledge a dollar amount for every goal scored during that season. At the end of the season, participants will pay up based on the total number of goals scored.

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