Steel to Host Night to Benefit Geneva Schools
February 12, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Steel announced Monday the continuation of their partnership with the Geneva Academic Foundation (GAF) and FONA International to present GAF Powerplay for Students: A Night to Benefit Geneva Schools presented by FONA international, during the Saturday, March 16 game against the Dubuque Fighting Saints at 7:05 p.m. This will mark the third consecutive season that the Steel and FONA International will celebrate education and raise funds to benefit Geneva Schools and the Geneva Academic Foundation.
The event was designed to raise money for District 304 through the Geneva Academic Foundation ("GAF"). When the Steel take the ice, they will do so in specially designed GAF jerseys that will then be auctioned off through a silent auction during the game. More than $8,400 has been raised for GAF during the last two seasons.
This season's jerseys will be a primarily black jersey with gray and white striping with the GAF symbol on each shoulder and FONA International logo on the chest opposite the USHL shield. The jersey will be worn during the game by Steel players, the second time this season the team will don sweaters to benefit a charity. The team wore special pink jerseys on Friday, October 19 as part of their "Paint the Rink Pink" event presented by V Fusion Studio with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society Making Strides for Breast Cancer.
"We take a lot of pride in our team and league's ability to advance players to college and that doesn't happen without a commitment to education by our athletes," said Steel President Dan Lehv. "For the Steel to be involved in a partnership with GAF and FONA International to benefit local schools is a natural tie-in."
For the third-straight season, FONA International has agreed to sponsor the game and the jerseys to ensure that all silent auction proceeds will benefit GAF. The flavor company, based in Geneva, actively promotes science education in the community through its "Discover FONA" program, teaching students about food and flavor science.
"It's an honor to have the opportunity to support the great work of the Geneva Academic Foundation, said FONA Founder and CEO Joe Slawek. "Our FONA family is so grateful to work and grow in the Geneva community, and GAF is a big part of what makes the area so closely knit."
The Geneva Academic Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that provides experiences, ideas and opportunities for students by funding grants for technology, services, programs and equipment for teachers, schools and classrooms in Geneva Community School District 304.
"We are so excited to partner with FONA and the Chicago Steel again this season," said Co-President of Geneva Academic Foundation Kimberly Luthin. "GAF loves this opportunity to fundraise for our Geneva students in a way the whole family can enjoy! It's such a great community event with FONA, who has always been so generous to GAF, as our sponsor again this year. We look forward to a great night of hockey, fundraiser and fun!"
Over 95 percent of players in the USHL, the nation's only Tier 1 junior hockey league, receive NCAA Division I student-athlete opportunities. Currently, the Steel roster features 19 players committed to 14 different NCAA Division I schools across the country.
The Steel return to Fox Valley Ice Arena for a pair of exciting home games this weekend. Friday, Feb. 15 is Military Appreciation/Hometown Heroes Night when the Steel take on Muskegon in a battle on the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. The first 500 fans Saturday, Feb. 16 will receive a collectable Steel Snow Globe on Let it Snow Globe! Night as the Steel take on Team USA U18. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m.
Tickets for all Steel home games are on sale now starting at just $10 and stadium seating on the glass is available for just $20. Parking is always free.
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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