THUNDER DONATE OVER 1,500 CANS OF FOOD, WINTER COATS AND STUFFED ANIMALS TO LOCAL COMMUNITY

Glens Falls NY - The Adirondack Thunder announced today that they have donated 1,635 coats, non-perishable food items and teddy bears to local charitable agencies as a results of their November Canned Food and Coat Drives, combined with their Teddy Bear Toss on December 4 through the participation and generosity of Thunder fans and sponsors. All recipient organizations were chosen in partnership with the Tri-County United Way.

“On behalf of our communities, I would like to thank the Adirondack Thunder for all they are doing to enhance the work of our local non-profit organizations,” Barbara Sweet, Executive Director of the Tri-County United Way, said. “Because of their involvement with the Tri-County United Way, the following were given out during the month of November: 201 coats were distributed to The Washington County Economic Opportunity Council, and 150 coats were donated to the Moreau Community Center. These coats were in really good shape, and I am sure are keeping many people warm this winter. Additionally, over 800 pounds of food were also collected, and these were distributed through the Salvation Army and the Open Door to people in need. We are so pleased to be working with the Thunder, and most grateful for their dedication and assistance to people in need in our region.”

The Canned Food Drive, run on Wednesday, November 25, collected 900 non-perishable food items, with the Thunder offering a complimentary silver flex ticket to anyone who donated a non-perishable food item. All food collected was donated to the Open Door Mission and the local chapter of the Salvation Army to go towards stocking food pantries around the holidays. The food collected exceeded the total collected at an individual game last season when the Adirondack Flames called the Civic Center home.

“’We are so grateful for organizations like Adirondack Thunder and their fans,” Kim Cook, Director of the Open Door Mission, said. “These types of partnerships between non-profits and business are vital to our community. The food collected in this food drive will help many people who are struggling to feed their families every day, let alone the Holidays. It's this kind of generosity that makes Glens Falls such a special place to live.”

The Thunder also ran a coat drive during the month of November, where they were able to collect 351 coats, donated to the Washington County Economic Opportunity Council and Community Action Angels, along with the Moreau Community Center. The coat drive spanned three November home games on November 18, November 25 and November 29. Similar to the canned food drive, all coat donors received a complimentary silver flex ticket from the Thunder and all coats were donated to those in need during the winter months.

“’The coats donated to the Washington County Economic Opportunity Council and Community Action Angels coat program are essential to meeting the needs of families for winter months,” Tyler Whitney, Senior Program Coordinator at the Washington County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc, said. “The security of knowing that you and your children will continue to be warm through these frigid months is a huge relief to the families that we serve. The addition of the coats from the Adirondack Thunder means that we can warm many more families in Washington County and children will not fear being cold at any point. The support of the community means so much to the agency.

On December 4, the Thunder collected 382 teddy bears from their Teddy Bear Toss, with all bears collected being donated to Salvation Army. The 382 bears continue an annual tradition of the Teddy Bear Toss at the Civic Center, as they rained down onto the ice following Rob Bordson’s second period goal against the Brampton Beast.

“The Greater Glens Falls Salvation Army has partnered once again with the Adirondack Thunder to bring hope to the needy during the holidays,” Major Dean, Corps Commanding Officer of the Greater Glens Falls Salvation Army, said. “The non-perishable food donated by fans at a game in November helped the Army to fill food baskets for 494 local families in need. The 400 teddy bears tossed will make their way to almost 500 children aged infant to 12 that the Army will be serving this Christmas season. The Salvation Army and the Adirondack Thunder continued a long standing tradition of help and hope during the holidays.”

Don’t miss out on the speed, skill, strength and sounds of Thunder hockey with a partial season flex or mini ticket plan today. The Adirondack Thunder and O’Toole’s Restaurant Pub Holiday Pack is on sale now, consisting of four tickets, an inaugural season Thunder hat and a $10 gift card to O’Toole’s, an $80 value for just $60. Send a jolt into your holidays with the gift of Adirondack Thunder hockey. For more information on all Thunder ticket plans, call 518-480-3355 x1 or visit echlthunder.com

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