The Checkers announced today that the team contributed $417,812 in monetary and in-kind donations to the Charlotte community during the 2012-13 season. The Checkers have now donated more than $2.7 million to the Charlotte community since Michael Kahn took ownership of the team in 2006.

Major fundraising events in 2012-13 included the annual Pink in the Rink ($50,310), Race Night ($13,000) and Salute to Heroes ($25,000) as well as new events Old-Time Hockey Weekend ($21,000) and the Checkers 5K Walk & Run ($11,000). The Checkers also held a fundraiser during their first-round home playoff games and helped raise $20,662 for three local victims of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, while COO Tera Black helped generate more than $46,000 for the North Carolina Dance Theatre and Charlotte Checkers Charitable Foundation at the Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte gala and fundraiser.

The Checkers rolled out several educational programs, impacting the lives of thousands of area elementary and high school students in more than 60 classrooms. The programs included the Science of Hockey, which teaches the elements of science in hockey, and PowerPLAY, which encourages healthy eating and active living. Additionally, using tickets as a fundraising tool, 50 local schools and non-profit organizations were able to raise more than $79,000.

In total, Checkers players, employees and mascot Chubby had more than 200 appearances and volunteer occurrences in the Charlotte community over the last 12 months.

For more information or to get involved with the Checkers’ many community programs, click the “Community” tab above or email [email protected].