(Rochester, NY)… The Rochester Americans announced that the team will hold its third annual Amerks Community Assist Week from Nov. 2-8. The community initiative will involve Amerks players, coaches and team officials supporting a variety of different non-profit organizations and community outreach programs throughout the Greater Rochester Area.
The Amerks’ Community Assist Week, modeled after a program launched by the Buffalo Sabres in 2013, will be a week-long endeavor and will take place between Monday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 8. The six-day venture will feature Amerks players and staff welcoming kids back to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester after a renovation project; the team’s fourth annual ball hockey game against students at Holy Childhood; visiting and interacting with patients at the Golisano Children’s Hospital; and kicking off the 11th season of the Amerks Reading Power Play Program, presented by Wendy’s. In addition, the Amerks will be a sponsor of the Veterans Outreach Center Stars & Stripes Gala and host Military Appreciation Night in partnership with the VOC. On Saturday, the Moose and select players will visit area rinks to support USA Hockey’s Try Hockey For Free initiative.
The schedule of events for the Amerks’ Community Assist Week is as follows:
Monday, Nov. 2: Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester Welcome
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester is set to re-open its main location on Monday following a 9,000-square-foot expansion project to its facility. Amerks players will be on hand to welcome the kids back to the Club. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester provides youth development programs that enable young people to acquire the skills and qualities needed to become responsible citizens and leaders. Its mission is to “inspire and enable young people of all backgrounds to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.”
Tuesday, Nov. 3: Holy Childhood Hockey Game
For the fourth consecutive year, a contingent of Amerks players will trade in their skates for sneakers as they take on a team of student-athletes in a ball hockey game at Holy Childhood. For more than 65 years, Holy Childhood, a non-denominational, non-profit agency, has enriched the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Dedicated to serving its students in an atmosphere of dignity and compassion, the school’s mission is to prepare children and adults with developmental disabilities for maximum independence and integration in the community through individualized programs and services, in keeping with the philosophy and vision of the school’s founders.
Wednesday, Nov. 4: Golisano Children’s Hospital Visit
Several Amerks players will pay a visit to patients at the new Golisano Children’s Hospital to spend time with kids on the Play Deck. Players will participate in a game of “Knee Hockey” with the kids while others will work on an arts & crafts project coloring Amerks Moose signs. Golisano Children’s Hospital and our community have joined together to give every child the best possible chance to enjoy a healthy, happy life. The new, dedicated children’s hospital will provide the setting and the expertise so that children will not have to leave our community for care.
Thursday, Nov. 5: Amerks Reading Power Play Program presented by Wendy’s/Veterans Outreach Center Stars & Stripes Gala
The Amerks will kick off the 11th season of the Amerks Reading Power Play Program presented by Wendy’s with a 6:30 p.m. visit from Amerks forward Patrick Kaleta on Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Fairport Public Library with the first of eight reading appearances. The Reading Power Play involves players stopping by local libraries, reading to kids and giving a hockey demonstration. Each appearance also features a raffle and an autograph session by the visiting player and The Moose.
The Amerks are proud to sponsor the Veterans Outreach Center’s Stars & Stripes Celebration at The Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center Thursday night. Veterans Outreach Center has been serving the Veterans, and their families, of the Greater Rochester region for over 40 years. This evening presents the opportunity to commemorate our local heroes, the men and women of our Armed Forces who have served, as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.
Friday, Nov. 6: Ronald McDonald House and Military Appreciation Night
Members of the Amerks Front Office members will cook and serve breakfast for the residents and families at the local Ronald McDonald House. Established in 1990, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Rochester provides a “home away from home” each year for families of critically injured and seriously ill children and supports programs that improve the health, education and wellbeing of children.
That night, the Amerks and Veterans Outreach Center will host Military Appreciation Night when the team takes on the Binghamton Senators at 7:05 p.m. The Amerks are offering all United States Military Veterans, Retired, Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard service members two complimentary tickets to the Military Appreciation Night game. In addition, the team is offering a T-shirt and ticket package for just $25 that includes a one-of-a-kind “Americans” Military shirt and a best-available ticket while $2 from each package sold will be donated to Veterans Outreach Center. The Amerks will wear special Military-themed jerseys during pregame warm-ups as a tribute to U.S. Armed Forces. The jerseys will then be autographed and auctioned off in the Arena during the game in a silent auction that will take place on the Upper Concourse. Proceeds from the jersey auction, as well as from the sale of special Military Appreciation Night Mystery Pucks, will be donated to Veterans Outreach Center. Members of Blue Star Mothers will be on hand in the main concourse to collect donation items for care packages that will be sent to local U.S. military service members who are currently deployed overseas.
Saturday, Nov. 7: Try Hockey For Free Day
The Amerks will be supporting USA Hockey’s Try Hockey For Free Day on Saturday, Nov. 7 at various local ice rinks. As part of Saturday’s nationwide initiative, USA Hockey and participating programs are encouraging kids ages 4 to 9 to come to a local participating rink and try youth hockey. All locations have a limited amount of equipment available for use. Information on times and locations at local rinks can be found at www.tryhockeyforfree.com. The Amerks will support the efforts of local youth hockey programs by having the team’s mascot, the Moose, as well as staff or players at local rinks including Lakeshore Ice Arena, Thomas Creek and Scottsville Ice Arena.
