(Rochester, NY) – The Rochester Americans and Veterans Outreach Center have once again partnered to host Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Nov. 4 when the Amerks face the Syracuse Crunch at 7:05 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena. The game will be part of the team’s Military Appreciation Week, which will also coincide with the annual Amerks Community Assist Week leading up to the Veterans Day matchup between the Amerks and Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday, Nov. 11.
“The Veterans Outreach Center is committed to assessing and developing future programming that responds to the successful transitioning and well-being of our military population,” said Todd Baxter, Executive Director of Veterans Outreach Center. Richards House, a residence for veterans, is but one example of this community asset. Veterans live with us for up to two years as they integrate to their new community, build new skills and develop contacts in a region they may have not been in for years. These services could not be provided without wonderful friends like the Rochester Americans Hockey Club. The Amerks support of veterans has never wavered.”
“It is an honor for the Rochester Americans to partner with Veterans Outreach Center, an organization that provides vital support and services for the brave men and women in our community who have served our country,” said Rob Kopacz, Vice President of Business Operations for the Amerks. “By taking Military Appreciation Night and continuing its activities into a week-long military service recognition is a small way for us to show our immense gratitude for the U.S. Armed Forces and gives us an extended opportunity to be a part of an event we take great pride in hosting each year.”
The team’s Military Appreciation Night festivities feature the latest series of Mystery Pucks, where a limited number of Military-themed Amerks pucks, signed by various players, will be for sale. A collection of Military vehicles will also be on-site prior to the game, in addition to an educational SWAT Team demonstration at The Blue Cross Arena and other tributes to those who have served the country throughout the evening.
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. The items, which can include such things as Q-tips, lip balm, toothpaste/brushes, dental floss, beef jerky, sugarless gum/candy, granola bars, shampoo/body wash (travel size), sunscreen, peanuts and popcorn, will be collected at the game and shipped by Blue Star Mothers ROC, which is part of a national organization whose mission is to support all members of the Armed Forces and their families through a variety of supportive events and activities. Blue Star Mothers have or have had sons and daughters serving honorably in the United States military.
The Amerks will wear special Military-themed jerseys along with matching socks during both games as a tribute to U.S. Armed Forces. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase the jerseys through a silent auction held during the Nov. 11 game against Hartford on the upper concourse of The Blue Cross Arena Following the game, the winners of the auction will be able to take the ice and be presented with a “jersey off the back” from the Amerks players. The Amerks will also be auctioning off three Military-themed jerseys autographed by Amerks Hall of Famers Jody Gage and Randy Cunneyworth as well as a team-signed jersey on Military Appreciation Night. 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.
The Amerks are offering all United States Military Veterans, Retired, Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard service members one complimentary ticket to both Amerks home games during Military Appreciation Week with additional tickets available for just $14. In addition, the team is offering a T-shirt and ticket package for just $25 that includes a one-of-a-kind “Military Appreciation” shirt and a best-available ticket while $2 from each package sold will be donated to Veterans Outreach Center. Those interested in taking advantage of the offers can do so by visiting www.amerks.com/military or by calling 1-855-GO-AMERKS.
Veterans Outreach Center is again the season-long sponsor of the Amerks Tickets For Troops program, which provides complimentary tickets to a United States Military Veteran, Retired, Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard service member at every home game.
Military personnel, veterans and family members can visit www.amerks.com/militaryphotos to also submit photos that will be displayed on the video board during the game as part of the military tribute.
Individual game tickets for the 2016-17 season start at just $12. Amerks Season Ticket Memberships, which start as low as just $10 per game, are on-sale now. The Amerks are also offering a variety of partial plans, including Half-Season Memberships and Flex Season Memberships with vouchers good for best available seat to any home game. All memberships are up to 40% off box office day of game pricing. For more information, visit www.amerks.com/seasontickets or call 1-855-GO-AMERKS.
About Veterans Outreach Center:
Founded locally in 1973 by returning Vietnam veterans, today’s Veterans Outreach Center remains anchored in our community and offers a comprehensive portfolio of supportive services designed to meet the needs of veterans and their families. Through the generosity of our community, all of these programs and services are provided free of charge. Veterans Outreach Center provides comprehensive resources to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families through direct service, community collaboration, and advocacy. Veterans Outreach Center’s vision is to “Be the Nation’s best provider of community-centered supportive services for veteran families.”
