GIVING CHECKERS 

All professional sports franchises give away a lot. It’s part of what they do for building up a presence in the community and of course there are the tax benefits as well. They also do it because it’s the right thing to do. It’s good when you have that much influence in a community to use it for the common good. The Charlotte Checkers…as well as the Wolf Pack and Rangers are VERY generous in their giving. Word came down from the Checkers organization today that they have made some gigantic contributions to their community and those of you who attend the games regularly and who have worked to support the team, not to mention the organization from top to bottom, should be congratulated for their fine work in this area.

Here’s the official release:

CHECKERS CONTINUE THEIR GIVING WAYS

Over $360k Donated To Local Charities, Organizations In 2009

The Charlotte Checkers continue to be one of the most philanthropic organizations in all of minor-league sports and, during the 2009 calendar year, donated $360,808 to local charities and non-profit organizations.

Since the summer of 2006, the Checkers have raised over $1,400,000 for groups such as the Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital, Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, American Cancer Society, Carolina Breast Friends and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, among others.

Using hockey games as platforms, the team is able to partner with charitable organizations and contribute to their fundraising initiatives by means of jersey auctions, ticket and event proceeds, sponsorships and donations.

On Jan. 24, the Checkers held their third annual AutoTrader.com Race Night where Checkers players wore special Race Night jerseys. The jerseys were then auctioned off live after the game and proceeds were given to Speedway Children Charities and then distributed to Victory Junction Gang Camp, Hendrick Marrow Program and B.R.A.K.E.S.

The Queen City’s only professional hockey team then partnered with the Pita Pit and Time Warner Cable on Mar. 8 to host its fourth annual Salute to Heroes game. The Charlotte Fire Department, Mecklenburg EMS Agency, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office joined forces to help raise over $20,000 for families from each organization and the Hometown Heroes Foundation.

Although the Checkers raise funds at games, the team also hosts charitable events away from the rink. On June 30, the team partnered with Sutter Home Family Vineyards, Goodrich Corporation, Empire Distributors, Inc. and Marsh to present a Habitat for Humanity home to a deserving Charlotte family. Over $65,000 was raised and Checkers front office staff members constructed the house’s frame and drywall, making it the first time in ECHL history that a team completed not only one but two homes with Habitat for Humanity.

Other similar off-ice events included the team’s annual golf tournament in March benefitting Presbyterian Hemby Children’s Hospital and CheckMate Charities and Tip-A-Checker in January which raised funds for Junior Diabetes Research Foundation of Charlotte.

Upcoming charitable games and events for 2010 include: AutoTrader.com Race Night on Jan. 22, Blue Line to Finish Line at Victory Lane on Jan. 24, Pink in the Rink on Mar. 13 and Salute to Heroes on Mar. 27.

The Checkers (18-10-4-0) will host the Gwinnett Gladiators Wednesday at Time Warner Cable Arena. Game time is 7 p.m. and ticket information can be obtained by calling 704-342-4-ICE or visiting www.gocheckers.com.

This Community release is brought to you by Goodrich Corporation, who is a proud sponsor of all Checkers’ community initiatives. About the company: Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to the aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer

base with significant worldwide maufacturing and service facilities. With 2007 revenues of $6.4 billion, Goodrich is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., and employs more than 24,000 people worldwide in approximately 90 facilities across 16 countries.