Thunder Introduces Military Appreciation Weekend
Home games on Friday, Saturday to benefit armed forces
The Stockton Thunder, a two time recipient of the ECHL “Award of Excellence,” announced “Military Appreciation Weekend” presented by Golden Bear Insurance Company and Wells Fargo, Coors Light, KAT Country 103, The Record, Blackwell Heating & Air, Fox40 News and St. Joseph’s Medical Center is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15-16 at Stockton Arena for two 7:30 p.m. games against the Ontario Reign and San Francisco Bulls.
“Over the years, Thunder fans have been extremely receptive to opportunities we have had to recognize the men and women who so bravely serve our country,” said Thunder president Dan Chapman. “Because of this, we feel it is definitely time to do something more substantial that will celebrate their service while at the same time raise funds for local organizations that support our military and veterans.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Welcome Home Heroes Foundation, an organization designed to support United States veterans and their local families for housing and financial needs. An array of activities during the two days will salute members of the military.
The Thunder will wear special design military jerseys with a camouflage accent for both games, with the jerseys scheduled for a live auction to all fans in attendance after Saturday’s game.
Select jerseys will also be available for bidding during a silent auction and also given away during a “jersey off the back” raffle throughout both games.
Before the games, veteran and active military members will also be saluted as participants in the pre-game ceremonial faceoff after a special United States flag unveiling across the ice of Stockton Arena for the National Anthem. Local members of the military who lost their lives during active service in Iraq and Afghanistan will also be honored with a special video tribute on the video board of Stockton Arena during the games.
Fans can also participate in saluting members of the military through ticket sales. Special “Red, White & Blue 4-Pack” ticket packages are on sale for as low as $49 and include two tickets for either game, two ticket vouchers good for any Thunder 2012-13 regular season home game beginning Feb. 24 and two Thunder giveaway caps from Military Appreciation Weekend.
“Red, White & Blue 4-Pack” ticket packages are available atwww.stocktonthunder.com/militaryplan.
Special donation opportunities for Military Appreciation Weekend at www.stocktonthunder.com/militaryappreciation/ will have tickets donated to active military personnel, in addition to $2 for every ticket which will benefit the Welcome Home Heroes Foundation.
On Friday, the first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative poster from the event and the first 500 kids (ages 12 and under) will receive a United States flag. On Saturday, the first 2,000 fans (ages 13 and over) will receive a commemorative red, white and blue cap from Military Appreciation Weekend. A two time recipient of the ECHL “Award of Excellence,” the Thunder led the ECHL in attendance for four consecutive seasons and drew over 200,000 fans for the seventh consecutive season in 2011-12. Season Tickets, Group Tickets and Mini-Plans for 2012-13 are on sale now. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.StocktonThunder.com