SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association, in conjunction with the Oklahoma City Barons, announced today that all ticket revenue from the Barons’ game against the Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday, May 29, will be removed from the league revenue-sharing program and instead will be donated to the United Way’s OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund.
“Through the generosity of the members of the Professional Hockey Players’ Association and its executive director Larry Landon, the American Hockey League is proud to be able to support the tornado relief efforts in Oklahoma,” said David Andrews, AHL President and CEO. “This week’s tragedy brings our tight-knit hockey community even closer, and our thoughts remain with everyone in the Oklahoma City region.”
The efforts of the AHL and the PHPA are among many from the hockey community to assist those affected by the tornadoes that devastated central Oklahoma on May 19 and 20. Grand Rapids-based Meijer, Inc., presented the Barons with a $50,000 check for the American Red Cross during Friday night’s game, and the Griffins are collecting donations for the Red Cross and the Salvation Army from fans at Van Andel Arena throughout the first two games of the teams’ Western Conference Final playoff series. In addition, the American Hockey League has made a contribution to disaster relief efforts on behalf of all 30 of its member clubs.
Each Barons home game next week (May 29, May 31, June 1) has a specially designed T-shirt associated with it. Fans can receive a T-shirt by attending a game and making a donation of $10 or more to the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund. All gross proceeds collected for the T-shirts over the three games will benefit the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund. Each T-shirt design compliments the Oklahoma Standard for communities banding together in times of need.
Every penny collected for the United Way OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund stays in the state of Oklahoma to assist with the long-term medical, emotional and educational needs of victims of the tornadoes in central Oklahoma. For more information or to donate, visit unitedwayokc.org for details.
