Wichita Thunder to host City of Chapman Tornado Relief Night
November 13, 2008 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Wichita Thunder News Release
WICHITA, KS- The Wichita Thunder will lend a hand to the community, hosting "City of Chapman, Tornado Relief Night" on Saturday, November 22nd.
Red Wing Shoe Store has partnered with the Thunder to provide tickets to all Chapman area residents as they host the Oklahoma City Blazers at 7:05 PM.
On the night of Wednesday, June 11th 2008, a devastating tornado ripped through the City of Chapman in north-central Kansas causing millions of dollars worth of damage. The rebuilding process continues with each day, and ABC's Extreme Home Makeover is in Chapman this week to feature the rebuilding of one of the town's many destructed homes.
The Thunder will be doing a "Pass the Boot for Chapman" campaign during the second period on the 22nd. Extra large Red Wing boots will be passed around to thousands of fans in order to raise funds for the Chapman school district.
USD 473 had an estimated $45 million dollars worth of damage from the tornado, with 10 of the 11 school facilities receiving major damage or complete destruction. Most of the students in Chapman are now attending classes in modular or portable classrooms until enough funding is raised to resume the rebuilding of schools. Chapman is a 4-A district which includes students from 550 square miles.
The relief night with the Thunder is aimed at giving Chapman area residents a complimentary evening away from the every day stress of rebuilding. Chapman Middle School Principal Bruce Hurford has agreed to provide busses for Chapman Middle School students and other local officials will have busses available for Chapman residents for a small fee.
Bob Diehl, a former custodian for Chapman schools, will be dropping the ceremonial first puck. Although retired, Diehl kept his school keys just in case a severe weather situation popped up, and as the tornado neared, opened the high school gymnasium as a shelter. Many of the residents' lives were saved as they filtered into the gymnasium for shelter. Chapman residents will be competing in on-ice intermission contests during the game as well.
Those Chapman area residents interested in tickets should call Joe Greene with the Thunder at (316) 264-GOAL. If residents are interested in transportation to and from the game, please contact Bob Diehl at (785) 922-6870 or (785) 200-0207.
Donations can also be made to the Chapman School District at Astra Bank of Chapman, P.O. Box 189, Chapman, Kansas 67431.
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