Checkers News

The Checkers will hold a fundraiser at their first-round playoff games against Oklahoma City for three local victims of the bombings at the Boston Marathon.

Nicole and Michael Gross, and Nicole’s sister, Erika Brannock, were all injured in the first explosion on April 15 while cheering on their mother at the finish line. The Charlotte Athletic Club (CAC) has established the Be Strong Stay Strong Fund and 100 percent of donations will assist the Gross and Brannock family with their medical, physical and emotional needs, as well as lost income and unexpected expenses during their recovery.

The Checkers will help raise funds in the following ways:

• Chuck-A-Puck sales
• T-shirt and Be Strong Stay Strong bracelet sales
• Concourse jersey auction
• Portion of proceeds from fundraising tickets sold by CAC

Additionally, the Checkers will match all funds raised with a donation from the team’s foundation, the Charlotte Checkers Charitable Foundation, of up to $20,000.

The following jerseys will be auctioned:

Wednesday

• Rasmus Rissanen (Red - game worn)
• Justin Shugg (Black- game worn)
• Justin Peters (AHL All-Star Game - game worn)
• Chubby (Salute to Heroes – Police/Sheriff

Friday

• Bobby Sanguinetti (White - game worn)
• Brett Bellemore (Red - game worn)
• Chubby (Salute to Heroes – Fire Medic)
• Jeff Skinner (Carolina Hurricanes)

For more information on Be Strong Stay Strong or to donate to the cause, visit www.bestrongstaystrong.net.