(Rochester, NY) – The Rochester Americans and Veterans Outreach Center have once again partnered to host Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Nov. 17 when the Amerks face the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7:05 p.m. at The Blue Cross Arena.
“We are truly appreciative for great community partners like the Rochester Americans,” said Laura Stradley, Executive Director for Veterans Outreach Center. “Veterans Outreach Center engages daily with soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen and coast guardsmen who have made great sacrifices in serving our nation. It is a testament to the Americans organization that they want to recognize those sacrifices and honor these courageous men and women by hosting an event like Military Appreciation Night. The entire staff and players alike take an interest in getting involved in our community and engage with both VOC and the veterans we serve directly. It is truly wonderful that the organization makes themselves so accessible.”
“It is truly an honor for the Rochester Americans to once again partner with Veterans Outreach Center to host Military Appreciation Night,” said Warren Kosel, Director of Public and Media Relations for the Amerks. “This is an event we take great pride in hosting each year as it gives us another opportunity to show our immense gratitude for the brave men and women in our community and in the U.S. Armed Forces who have served or are currently serving our country.”
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 available for purchase for $10 in the Upper Concourse. The first 5,000 fans will also receive Amerks Dog Tags and the night will feature tributes to those who have served the country throughout the evening.
Members of the 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 as a tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase the jerseys through a silent auction held during the game 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. 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 the game with additional tickets available for as low as just $12. Tickets can be requested by visiting www.amerks.com/militarycomps.
In addition, the team is offering a T-shirt and ticket package for just $30 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 this special offer can do so by visiting www.amerks.com/military or by calling 1-855-GO-AMERKS.
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.
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.
Individual game tickets for the 2017-18 season start at just $14. Amerks Season Ticket Memberships, which start as low as just $12 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 seating to any home game. All memberships are up to 40% off Box Office day of game pricing. For more information, visit www.amerks.com 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.”
