DC Metro Community Rallies Around Inaugural Charity Hockey Classic

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August 20, 2009  

ASHBURN, VA – It’s an exciting moment when an entire community rallies around an event to aid a local non-profit organization and that’s exactly what’s happening with the Charity Hockey Classic, scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at the Ashburn Ice House.

The event itself will take the form of a spirited matchup between two local rival hockey clubs, the Reston Raiders and the Ashburn Xtreme. While the players are traditionally youth members of both clubs, ranging in age from six through 17, the Charity Hockey Classic will feature the coaches from each organization, donning the pads and swarming the ice, first for bragging rights but ultimately to raise funds for Inova Blood Donor Services in support of their quest to purchase a new bloodmobile.

The event has drawn the financial and promotional support of several organizations including CBRE, Cox Communications, the Washington Capitals and Papa John’s Pizza. “Part of our corporate mission is to support community events that make a difference, and the Charity Hockey Classic is a perfect example of just such an event,” said Papa John’s Director of Marketing Barbara Thompson. “This event will not only raise money for a worthwhile cause but it promises to be a fun, exciting and dynamic event.”

The Capitals have chipped in as well, providing several of the silent auction items as well as a live appearance by their fine-feathered mascot Slapshot. Even the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders have embraced the event. Several members of the 2009 group will be on hand signing autographs, selling calendars and posing for photographs.

“With our event only a month away, we have received overwhelming support for this endeavor, from not only our sponsors, but several individuals who have stepped forward as well. I can only hope that our continued efforts will serve as a show of our appreciation to our community,” says Adam Bartholomew, Senior Development Officer and primary contact for the Charity Hockey Classic. “That support is deeply appreciated.”

The main goal of the event is to fund the purchase of a new bloodmobile which serves a critical function for the organization. The bloodmobiles collect blood and plasma donations from local blood drives which – after processing – are then distributed to local hospitals for use by local patients. Last year, Inova Blood Donor Services collect more than 85,000 units of blood per year, more than 90 percent of which was used by patients in need within the local community.

The game between the Reston and Ashburn coaches will take begin at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12. Tickets, priced $10 per person, are now on sale now through the event website at www.charityhockeyclassic.com.

For sponsorships, tickets or information, contact Adam Bartholomew at adam.bartholomew@inova.org Tony Pane at tppane@aol.com or Rob Lorenzen at rlorenzen@ashburnice.com or visit www.charityhockeyclassic.com.


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