Jackalopes raise $18k during Pink in the Rink weekend

February 26, 2014

The Odessa Jackalopes, members of the North American Hockey League, are proud to announce another successful Pink in the Rink weekend for a third consecutive season. The Jacks partnered with Linda Meyer of West Texas Gifts of Hope to raise money to help complete the Hope House project.

 

West Texas Gifts of Hope, Inc is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of patients while they are taking cancer treatment at the West Texas Cancer Center. Their main focus is the building of a home-away-from home so that cancer patients can lodge free of charge. In addition to the Hope House, which is located on West First Street, also provides transportation, medication, and medical equipment for those in need.

 

“We are so grateful for the continued the support the Jacks have given to us,” said Meyer. “This year was especially fun with the addition of Yum Yums Café and Bakery. The boys were great waiters and we really enjoyed getting to know them. We are amazed at the generosity of the Jacks organization,”

 

The Jackalopes kicked off Pink in the Rink Weekend last Wednesday and Thursday as celebrity waiters at Yum Yums Café and Bakery. Customers were greeted by the Jacks donning their Pink in the Rink jerseys and as most of the players figured out, waiting tables is not as easy as you would think.

 

“It is definitely not as easy as it looks,” Said Jacks alternate captain Chad Guderian. “Which drinks go where, keeping all the tickets in order. It is a tough job.”

 

In two days at Yum Yums, the Jacks were able to collect over $2000 in tips that were donated to the West Texas Gifts of Hope, as well as provide a spark to one of Odessa’s many up and coming businesses. The flagship station for Jackalopes hockey broadcasts, KFZX Classic Rock 102.1 FM and Mix 106.7 FM KCHX provided live remote broadcasts from Yum Yums on Wednesday and Thursday to promote the event.

 

The Jacks also had many other incentives for fans to donate last Friday and Saturday nights during the games versus the Wichita Falls Wildcats. The Jacks held a silent auction that generated $3000. Prizes included a Donnie Margettie signed jersey, as well as a classic Dan Lavergne signed Pink in the Rink jersey. The Jacks also had a raffle for 4 platinum level tickets to Mike Modano’s banner raising night on Saturday, March 8th at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

 

In total, the Jacks raised $18,000 for West Texas Gifts of Hope, in hope that they will be able to complete the construction of the Hope House project. The Jacks will present Linda Meyer with a check at center ice during a pre-game ceremony at a future game.