The Charlotte Checkers will pay tribute to their NHL affiliate during Florida Panthers Night, presented by The Independence Fund, on Saturday, Feb. 17.

During the event, the Checkers will wear Florida Panthers jerseys that will be available in an online auction during the week of the game. The promotion will also feature giveaways, an appearance by Florida mascot Stanley C. Panther, and more.

As part of the Checkers’ longstanding partnership with The Independence Fund, the Checkers will present Sergeant Cory Collins, a local United States Army veteran who lost part of his left leg while on deployment to Iraq in 2005, with an all-terrain tracked wheelchair during the game, enabling him to regain physical independence and mobility he lost as a result of an Improvised Explosive Device.

Additionally, representatives from the Checkers and Panthers will present The Independence Fund with a joint $15,000 donation from the Checkers Charitable Foundation and Panthers Foundation.

ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE FUND

Founded in 2007, The Independence Fund (501c3) is committed to serving United States Veterans by providing innovative programs and services to support the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual independence of servicemembers, combat Veterans, their Caregivers, families, and those Allies who served in combat alongside American troops, through innovative mobility and adaptive technologies and therapies for combat Veterans; suicide prevention; caregiver and family support; and Veteran advocacy with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, other government agencies, federal and state legislators, and other partners. The Independence Fund believes in fairness and equality for all Veterans and families irrespective of race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation and will continue to uphold these American values. To learn more, visit http://www.independencefund.org/.