Jackalopes raise over $20,000 with military jersey auction

December 2, 2014

This past weekend, the Jacks held their first annual Military Appreciation Weekend at the Ector County Coliseum in Odessa. The Jackalopes welcomed all veterans, servicemen, and women to enjoy games on Friday and Saturday for free. Donned in their specialty camouflage jerseys, the Jackalopes snapped the Wichita Falls Wildcats seven-game winning streak on Friday night with a 4-2 win on home ice. On Saturday, the Jacks used their camo power to pull within one goal late in the game, after trailing 5-0 in the second period. The Jacks got a chance in the dying seconds but could not push the tying tally through, dropping a 5-4 decision. 

 

After the game Saturday night, fans, players, and staff came out on to the ice for the first jersey auction of the season. As always, the bidding was hot and heavy, but taking the highest bid this year was Jackalopes goaltender Robin Johansson, who had a winning bid of $1,900 on his special military jersey.

 

Once the bidding wars were decided, the Jackalopes raised $20,350.00, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Permian Basin Honor Flight Network.

 

The Honor Flight network is an organization committed to sending World War II veterans to Washington, D.C to experience the World War II memorial built to honor their service and sacrifice. 

 

“We cannot thank the Odessa Jackalopes enough for putting on this Military Appreciation Weekend,” said John West, committee member of the Permian Basin Honor Flight Network. “With the money that was raised, we will be able to send nine veterans to the memorial in Washington, D.C. We are blown away by the support from the entire Jackalopes organization, as well as the fans that stayed after the game to bid on the jerseys.”

 

Last season, the Jackalopes raised nearly $100,000 for local and national charities like Hope House of Odessa, Shriners Children’s Hospital, West Texas Food Bank, and the breast cancer care center at the Odessa Regional Medical Center.

 

“We are more than happy to pay tribute to our veterans and current servicemen and women,” said Jacks General Manager David Holt. “It was a pleasure working with everyone in the (Permian Basin Honor Flight) organization. We hope to continue to grow this event in the future.”