PrairieThunder in the community
December 11, 2006 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Bloomington PrairieThunder News Release
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - It was literally raining teddy bears and stuffed animals Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
Over 1,000 teddy bears or stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice after Mathieu Brunelle scored the Bloomington PrairieThunder's first goal in a 4-3 shootout victory over Rockford as part of the team's "Teddy Toss Night"
The teddy bears and stuffed animals were collected and donated to the McLean County's "Toys for Tots" campaign, which the PrairieThunder is honorary chairpersons this year.
"We were extremely pleased with the response by the fans," said Jerry McBurney, the general manager of the PrairieThunder. "Not only did we pick up a number of stuffed animals from the ice, but we had a number of people drop them off at our office."
The "Teddy Toss" was just one in a number of community services ventures the PrairieThunder has or will participated in.
Last month the PrairieThunder held a canned food drive at its game and collected nearly 1,000 canned goods or non-perishable items, which were given to the Clare House.
And last week the PrairieThunder held "NASCAR Night" and the team wore specially designed game jerseys to go with the NASCAR theme. Those jerseys were then auctioned off following the game.
Nearly $10,000 worth of game tickets to future PrairieThunder games was donated to the charity of choice of the people who purchased jerseys.
Those organizations benefiting included St. Jude's Children's Research, Toys for Tots, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Home Sweet Home Mission, Baby Fold, McLean County Humane Society, Towanda Boy Scouts, American Diabetes Association, United Way, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and OSF Hospice.
The next PrairieThunder project is the "Coats for Kids" which takes place Friday (Dec. 15) at the 7:05 p.m. United Hockey League game against Muskegon at U.S. Cellular Coliseum..
The PrairieThunder is partnering with the Coliseum and the Salvation Army to collect new or gently-worn winter coats as hockey fans enter the building.
"We are excited to work with the PrairieThunder in their first season and look forward to a successful drive," said Scott Shelbourn, the captain of the Salvation Army. The coats collected will help those in need in McLean County."
Last year the Salvation Army collected and distributed over 700 coats. For more information about the "Coats for Kids" program, contact Kelli Reecer at 309-829-9476.
"As a new member of the Twin Cities, we feel it is very important to be involved in as many events as possible," said McBurney.
The PrairieThunder also has sent several players to speak at schools, community functions, meet and greets in and around the Bloomington-Normal area.
"Our players and coaches enjoy getting out in the community and becoming acquainted with folks in Central Illinois," added McBurney. "None of our players are from this area, but they have all found the people they have come in contact with to be very hospitable and easy to get to know. They are enjoying their time here."
To schedule PrairieThunder player appearances, contact Patrick Kelly at 309-434-2664 or Melissa Ash at 309-434-2662.
The PrairieThunder returns to action Wednesday in a 7:30 p.m. United Hockey League contest at Rockford. Its next home game is Friday at 7:05 p.m. against Muskegon at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
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