PrairieThunder helping needy
Published on December 2, 2008 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
The previously announced âBeat the Hunger' campaign involving the Bloomington PrairieThunder, Salvation Army and Home Sweet Home Ministries kicks off Thursday at the PrairieThunder game against Port Huron at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
Christmas trees, decorated with ornaments of PrairieThunder players, will grace the concourse level. On the reverse side of the ornament, items (such as canned food goods, paper products, baby food and supplies, etc.) that fans can purchase and donate to the Salvation Army and Home Sweet Home Ministries will be listed.
Fans should return the donated items, along with canned food goods, to PrairieThunder games Dec. 12 and 13 for the opportunity to register for a drawing each night to win an autographed PrairieThunder team picture and hockey stick.
"Due to donations being significantly down this year, we are in need of extra personal items to help fill our food pantries," said Andrea Raycraft, the development director at The Salavation Army of McLean County. "We've seen a 35 percent increase in those people we've served this year in McLean County and that number will only go up.
"We have packaged over 3,700 pantry orders to date. This community has always stepped up and given all they can to help those in need and we are praying that is the case again this year.
"We appreciate all that the PrairieThunder hockey team is doing to help us. These are new and creative ways to help out and it's exciting to see an up and coming team partner with our agencies to meet those needs."
Sabrina Burkiewicz, the vice president of marketing and retail operations for Home Sweet Home Ministries, said her agency is experiencing similar demands.
"Home Sweet Home has seen a 30 percent increase in meals being served at the shelter since July with a record 7,588 meals served in October," said Burkiewicz. "Requests for food boxes have also sky-rocketed.
"We're grateful for our community partners, the PrairieThunder, and their efforts both on and off the ice to help us serve the homeless."
U.S. Cellular Coliseum also is a drop-off point for the annual McLean County Toys for Tots campaign.
Fans can bring stuffed animals to the Dec. 13 game and participate in the annual Teddy Toss. After the PrairieThunder scores its first goal that night, fans can throw the stuffed animals on the ice.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from December 2, 2008
- PrairieThunder helping needy - Bloomington PrairieThunder
- Generals to hold two jersey auctions - Flint Generals
- Generals announce season ticket exchange nights - Flint Generals
- Generals at home for three this week - Flint Generals
- Komets add Leo Thomas to roster - Fort Wayne Komets
- Snowball Signed To PTO, Could See Game Minutes This Weekend - Port Huron Icehawks
- Icehawks Hit the Road for Two Games this Weekend - Port Huron Icehawks
- Legault suspended - IHL 2
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