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Underhill Raises over $3,100 for Fire Victims

January 13, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz News Release


FLORENCE, SC – The Florence Pride, proud members of the ECHL, announced today that goaltender Matt Underhill helped raise $3,103 this past weekend for the Pee Dee Chapter of the American Red Cross on behalf of recent fire victims in Florence. Eight families lost their homes and all of their belongings in the fire at the Lodge South Complex on Second Loop Road in Florence.

During the Pride's three games last week, Underhill pledged to donate $1 for every save made by a Pride goaltender and $5 for every goal scored by the Pride to the American Red Cross. The Pride won all three games, making a total of 98 saves and scoring nine goals. Underhill helped the cause tremendously in his two appearances, stopping 37 shots in a 4-2 win at South Carolina on Saturday, and making 42 saves in a 2-0 win over Toledo on Sunday, giving the second-year goaltender his first professional shutout.

Nineteen individuals or businesses throughout the Pee Dee region matched Underhill's donation, bringing the total contribution to $3,103. The matching donations came from: Carolina Fast Cash; Ricky Bryant; Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center; Tammy Harvin; Bill and Faye Hester; Kimi Smith; Stan Kenimer; Dean Banks; Heavenly Scents Gift Shop; Hodges Piano and Organ Company; Wayne Lewis; Columbia Inferno Booster Club; Bob Kogler; Dan and Debbie Hyler; Jebailey Law Firm; Florence Pride Booster Club; Pam Jones; Fred DuBard; and Laura Phillips.

"The sad part of dealing with disasters is seeing the losses people suffer. People rallying to help their neighbors in need is gratifying. When people like Matt Underhill and Joe Babik of the Florence Pride, plus their matching donors assist the American Red Cross, we can be there to help our fire victims," Pee Dee Chapter Red Cross Public Support Director Denise Richbourg Fitz said. "Local disaster relief is funded by local donations. Without the help of our community, the Red Cross could not help our fire victims," she said.

Prior to Friday's home game against the Columbus Cottonmouths, Underhill will present a check to the Pee Dee Chapter of the American Red Cross for the fire victims.

The Pride are home for two games this weekend. Friday, they host the Columbus Cottonmouths on Parrothead Night. Nationally-known entertainer Barrie Cunningham will be at the game to perform a post-game concert featuring his tribute to Jimmy Buffett. All fans who wear Parrothead attire to the game will receive a free ticket to a future Pride home game. Saturday, the Columbia Inferno come to town on Mascot Night. Paws will welcome his friends to then Lion's Den, and all mascots will take part in a mascot hockey game during the first intermission. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for all Pride home games are available at the Florence Civic Center Box Office, or through TicketMaster at (843) 679-9333 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. Group tickets are now available for the Pride's annual Christian Concert Night, which takes place on Saturday, January 31 when the Pride take on the Greenville Grrrowl. For more information, or to place your group order, call the Pride office at (843) 669-7825.

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