Sharks attend over 300 community events, donate over 5,900 tickets, and unleashed new community initiatives

 

 

WORCESTER - Worcester Sharks President and CEO Michael T. Lehr announced that the Sharks and their fans raised more than $50,000 for various charitable causes through Sharks Charities during the 2007-08 season.

"The entire Sharks organization feels a responsibility to do our part to support the central Massachusetts and greater Worcester community," said Lehr. "Whether it is monetarily or from a volunteer standpoint, we should all make an effort to support our neighbors and friends in need."

 

Highlights from the 2007-08 Worcester Sharks community efforts include:

 

·          The “Be A Leader” program. Announced in late September by the Worcester Sharks and the Law Firm of Abigail Williams and Associates, the “Be A Leader” program is designed to provide students between the grades of 4-6 with leadership tips to enrich their lives as well as others around them.  Sharks Defenseman Dan Spang and Sharks Mascot FINZ were present at the school assemblies along with the principle of the Law Firm of Abigail Williams and Associates, Abby Williams.  The program reached over 2,500 students in central Massachusetts, with each receiving a free ticket to a Sharks’ game, compliments of the Law Firm of Abigail Williams and Associates.

 

·          Sharks goaltender Thomas Greiss generated awareness for breast cancer and raised over $5,000 for the Hope Lodge of Worcester after wearing a specialty designed pink mask for October and November which was auctioned off on www.nhl.com.

 

·          Over 2,000 pounds of food were collected in part with the 2^nd Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive which was donated to the Friendly House of Worcester.

 

·          The Worcester Sharks teamed up with SOMA (Special Olympics Massachusetts) for the second straight season featured by the SOMA opening ceremony held before the Sharks game on February 29.

 

·          The 2^nd Annual “Evening with the Worcester Sharks” presented by Bay State Savings Bank raised thousands of dollars to benefit the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Project, a charity that aids abused and neglected children in Worcester County; and Worcester Sharks Charities.  Over 200 attendees were served and entertained by Sharks players at the event held at Bocado restaurant on March 25.

 

·          Over 2,600 students participated in the highly popular “Reading is Cool” program which a Sharks player and FINZ read to local school children to emphasize how important reading is.  Each child received a free Sharks ticket compliments of Commerce Bank and a slice of pizza courtesy of Papa Ginos.

 

Additionally, Sharks players, FINZ, staff, and the Street Brigade, made over 300 community appearances to schools, hospitals, hockey rinks, and special events throughout central Massachusetts and the greater Worcester area. Over 5,900 Sharks tickets were donated to local organizations via Sharks Charities.  
 

Sharks Charities, lead by Chairwoman of Sharks Charities, Ms. Mary DeFeudis,  is dedicated to meeting the educational, social and cultural needs of our community and proud to partner with local organizations, in a variety of ways, in an effort to enhance the lives of residents throughout Central Massachusetts, with a focus on youth.

 

 

For more information regarding Worcester Sharks community efforts or Sharks Charities please contact the Director of Community Relations and Youth Hockey Michael Myers at 508-929-0500 or check out the new www.sharksahl.com. The Worcester Sharks will host the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic… get your season tickets now to reserve your spot for the 2009 AHL All- Star Classic at the DCU Center!