From Jerseys to Funds: IceHogs Annual Jersey Auction Hits Record High

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Janessa Ladouceur
March 30, 2024 (11:20)

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Rockford Icehogs jersey auction set a new franchise record

What an amazing accomplishment! The Rockford IceHogs have recently announced that their annual jersey auction this season has set a new franchise record. They successfully raised an outstanding $84,633 for the IceHogs Community Fund, surpassing the total of $80,124 in 2018. Since its inception in 2000, this annual auction has been a significant event, raising an impressive $1,287,101 for the team's charitable arm. This remarkable achievement highlights the unwavering dedication and generosity of the IceHogs' community.

Following the victories over the San Jose Barracuda on Mar. 16 and 17, the team's Special St. Patrick's Day jerseys were auctioned off immediately after the game. The live auction brought in $66,200, while the online auctions contributed an additional $18,433. The online auctions included other items such as jerseys, signed sticks, signed name plates, and more. Colton Dach's jersey fetched the highest price of $6,500 during the live auction.

The Screw City jerseys from last season made a significant impact by raising an impressive $57,252 during the annual event. Looking ahead to the 2022-2023 season, the IceHogs Community Fund went above and beyond, raising over $275,000. Thanks to this incredible achievement, the Fund was able to distribute over $100,000 in grants and received an additional $27,000 from the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation. These funds will greatly benefit nine local organizations during the 2023-24 grant cycle.

list of grants included:

* $34,000 (IceHogs Community Fund and Chicago Blackhawks Foundation) to Rockford Park District to support «Junior StreetHogs» outreach program focused on which focuses on breaking down barriers and encourage more young individuals to participate in hockey.
* $20,000 (IceHogs Community Fund and Chicago Blackhawks Foundation) to Think Big! to increase the number of cohorts by two for the «Think Big! School of Business»
* $10,000 (IceHogs Community Fund) to VanVleet Family Foundation to fully fund participation costs for 67 children that can fully participate in Fred VanVleet's Summer Camp without any financial burden
* $10,000 (IceHogs Community Fund) to Rockford Park District. This contribution will go towards supporting their groundbreaking "Buddy Hockey" program. By addressing the obstacles that often hinder individuals with disabilities from participating in ice hockey, this initiative aims to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for youth, teens, and adults.
* $10,000 (IceHogs Community Fund) to Rockford Hockey Club to help reduce season fees for players at the 8u level and increase participation at all levels
* $10,000 (IceHogs Community Fund) to Rock House Kids (RHK) to help serve a larger number of kids during RHK evening programs. With this support, more kids will have access to meals and nutritious food options, making a positive impact on their well-being.
* $10,000 (IceHogs Community Fund) to Rockford Razorbacks Lacrosse to provide dues and equipment assistance to 15 underserved kids
* $10,000 (IceHogs Community Fund) to the Oscar Mike Foundation to fully fund four disabled Veterans to participate in an Oscar Mike Illinois Adaptive Clinic
* $6,500 (IceHogs Community Fund) to The Greg Lindmark Foundation. This significant donation will play a vital role in creating awareness among the community regarding the exceptional no-cost special services offered by the Foundation to our local first responders.
* $6,500 (IceHogs Community Fund) to Easterseals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford will make a huge difference in providing full ASD diagnostic assessments for children ages 3-12.

Inside the Rockford IceHogs Community Fund

It's truly inspiring to see how the Rockford IceHogs have been positively impacting the community ever since they were founded in 1999. The IceHogs Community Fund, which was established in 2022 with support from the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, is dedicated to helping the Rockford region through various initiatives. Through partnerships with local organizations, the fund strives to promote community outreach, create social change, and increase opportunities for hockey participation.