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AHL Grand Rapids Griffins

Third annual "Tip-a-Griffin" night to be held February 24 at Applebees

February 14, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Grand Rapids Griffins News Release


Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Griffins will present their third annual Tip-A-Griffin fundraiser on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 6-9 p.m. at five local Applebee's restaurants.

That night, 20 Griffins players, coaches and staff members will trade their sticks for food trays to serve Applebee's patrons as waiters or bartenders.

All tips and donations received by Griffins personnel and Applebee's employees during the event will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grand Rapids. Since 2002, Tip-A-Griffin has raised in excess of $20,000 for local charities.

The Griffins will be dispersed to these participating Applebee's restaurants (lineups subject to change):

Beltline (3250 Grand Ridge Dr. NE)
Danton Cole - Head Coach
Matt Ellis
Danny Groulx
Michel Picard
Travis Richards

Alpine (3851 Alpine Ave. NW)
Brad Thompson - Equipment Mgr.
Ryan Bonni
David Brisson
Kory Karlander
Nathan Robinson

Wyoming (1375 28th St. SW)
Darryl Bootland
Jiri Hudler
Tomas Kopecky
Anders Myrvold
Aaron Schneekloth

Cascade (4955 28th St. SE)
Derek King - Player/Asst. Coach
Rob Snitzer - Medical Therapist
Ryan Barnes
Hugo Boisvert
Jeff Nelson

Rivertown Crossings (4488 Potomac Ave. SW)
Greg Ireland - Assistant Coach
Bob McNamara - General Manager
Marc Lamothe
Joey MacDonald
Dave Van Drunen

In addition, all proceeds from the event's live and silent auctions will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Items up for bid include:

* Custom designed, jersey-style aprons that each member of the Griffins will wear during the event. Each apron will be autographed by the Griffins personality and made available during a live auction at each restaurant between 8-9 p.m.;

* A 2004 AHL All-Star Classic team autographed replica goalie stick (one for silent auction at Beltline and Rivertown Crossings locations);

* A 2004 NHL All-Star jersey, puck and sweatshirt (one set for silent auction at each of the five locations);

* One Zamboni ride, four tickets to a Griffins game, and dinner for four at Applebee's (one package for silent auction at each of the five locations);

* A variety of items from Budweiser, including a Wayne Gretzky autographed jersey (Cascade location only), an MP3 player (Wyoming location only), a Bud Racing jacket (Alpine location only), select tickets to local entertainment and sporting events (one pair at each location), and five Bud Light/Griffins bar mirrors (one at each location);

* Other NHL and AHL autographed memorabilia.

As part of their support of Tip-A-Griffin, Budweiser will also contribute $1,000 to the total donation of the Applebee's location that raises the greatest amount of tips and auction proceeds.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of D.A. Blodgett Services for Children is greater Grand Rapids' leader in one-to-one youth service, with nearly 40 years of proven success in creating positive friendships that benefit children, volunteers, families and the West Michigan community. Six hundred children were served by Big Brothers Big Sisters last year, and more than 400 are still waiting for an adult mentor.

Check out the Grand Rapids Griffins Statistics

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