The Rochester Americans and the Monroe County Libraries are again partnering to provide the “Reading Power Play,” which teams Amerks players with local public librarians in support of reading. The 2013-14 season marks the ninth year of the program, provided exclusively by Wendy’s.
“We’re excited to again partner with the Monroe County Library System and offer this great program to our young fans here in Rochester,” said Amerks Vice President of Business Operations Rob Kopacz. “The Amerks are proud to be a part of the fabric of Rochester and we appreciate the opportunity for our players to become active members in our community.”
The “Reading Power Play, presented by Wendy’s” allows fans to meet players and The Moose, while also learning about hockey and the importance of reading. The program also rewards kids for reading and selects two grand-prize winners that will win dinner, suite tickets and the opportunity to participate in the ceremonial puck drop prior to Rochester’s home game onSunday, Feb. 16 against the Texas Stars. For more details, go to www.amerks.com.
“Linking books and the Amerks make reading all the more fun for kids,” said Fairport Children’s Librarian and Monroe County Library System representative Robin Benoit. “Plus, there is the added excitement of seeing their favorite player reading a book at their local library during the season. The Amerks are role models for kids all the way around.”
The Amerks will kick off the 2013-14 program on Monday, Oct. 21 at the Sully Branch Library with the first of seven reading appearances. Amerks defenseman Matt MacKenzie will be on hand starting at 4:00 p.m. The “Reading Power Play, presented by Wendy’s” involves players stopping by local libraries, reading to kids and giving a hockey demonstration. Each appearance also features a raffle for Amerks memorabilia and an autograph session by the visiting player and The Moose.
At each event, the Amerks will distribute ticket vouchers to each youth in attendance good for one complimentary ticket for the Feb. 16 home game vs. Texas. Vouchers can be redeemed at The Blue Cross Arena Box Office or the Amerks front office. Additional discounted tickets for the game can also be purchased for as little as $16.00 for best available seating locations.
During the past eight seasons, Amerks players and their mascot, The Moose, have made over 200 appearances and accounted for over 20,000 books being read by kids from kindergarten and all the way through high school.
The second half of “Reading Power Play, presented by Wendy’s” enters kids into a grand-prize drawing. Using the hat trick as an educational incentive, youth participants fill out a form for every three books they read, which then qualifies them for an entry into the grand prize drawing.
The “Reading Power Play, presented by Wendy’s” runs from Monday, Oct. 21 to Tuesday, Jan. 28. A complete reading program schedule will be available at the Amerks Guest Services Booth in the upper atrium lobby on game nights and online at www.amerks.com. For more information on the reading program or to book player or Moose appearances, please contact the Amerks Public Relations department at (585) 454-5335.
2013-14 Reading Power Play Appearance Dates*
Time slots are 4:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
October:
Monday, Oct. 21 4:00 p.m. Sully Branch
November:
Monday, Nov. 18 6:30 p.m. Fairport
Monday, Nov. 25 6:30 p.m. Greece
December:
Monday, Dec. 2 6:30 p.m. Penfield
January:
Monday, Jan. 27 4:00 p.m. Chili
Monday, Jan. 27 6:30 p.m. Henrietta
Tuesday, Jan. 28 6:30 p.m. Pittsford
