The Rochester Knighthawks and Veterans Outreach Center are teaming up to host Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, Feb. 29 when the Knighthawks face the New York Riptide at 7:00 p.m. at Segar & Sciortino Field at The Blue Cross Arena.
“It’s incredible to work with such great community partners like the Rochester Knighthawks,” Veterans Outreach Center Executive Director and U.S. Army Veteran Laura Stradley said. “Every day, Veterans Outreach Center engages with brave men and women from all branches of military service who have made tremendous sacrifices for our country. To have this kind of support from the Knighthawks is heartwarming, and its indicative of their commitment to this community. The proceeds from this event will go a long way toward providing critical, life-changing services for veterans, completely free of charge. We appreciate all of the players and staff so much for their investment in our mission and their desire to join VOC in Serving Those Who Served U.S.”
“This is an event we take great pride in hosting each year with the Amerks and we’re equally as excited for the opportunity to bring the Knighthawks into the partnership with Veterans Outreach Center,” said Rob Minter, vice president of business operations for the Knighthawks. “Military Appreciation Night is about honoring the brave men and women in our community and in the U.S. Armed Forces who have served or are currently serving our great country and the opportunity for us as an organization to express our immense gratitude for their countless sacrifices.”
As part of Military Appreciation Night, the Knighthawks will wear special Military-themed jerseys as a tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase the jerseys through an online auction on DASH. To access the auction, fans can visit www.rochesterknighthawks.com/militaryauction or text “DASH” to 66866, click on the download link and install DASH on your mobile device. Fans can then create their own personal profile and select the Knighthawks as their favorite team to start bidding.
WATCH: MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT JERSEY UNVEIL
Fans can start bidding on the Military-themed jerseys beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 17 through 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27. Winners will then be contacted for the chance to receive the jerseys “off the players back” immediately following the game against New York. Proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to Veterans Outreach Center.
The Knighthawks are offering all United States Military Veterans, Retired, Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard service members one complimentary ticket to the game with additional tickets available for as low as just $17. Veterans and Military Members can pick up their tickets for the game by visiting The Blue Cross Arena Box Office or Veterans Outreach Center, located at 447 South Ave. in downtown Rochester. All Military personnel can also request their complimentary tickets by visiting www.rochesterknighthawks.com/military.
Additionally, Military personnel, veterans and family members are encouraged to visit www.rochesterknighthawks.com/militaryphotos to submit photos that will be displayed on the video board during the game as part of the military tribute.
Members of the Blue Star Mothers will be on hand in the main concourse to collect donation items for care packages that will be sent to local U.S. military service members who are currently deployed overseas. The items, which can include such things as Q-tips, lip balm, toothpaste/brushes, dental floss, beef jerky, sugarless gum/candy, granola bars, shampoo/body wash (travel size), sunscreen, peanuts and popcorn, will be collected at the game and shipped by Blue Star Mothers ROC, which is part of a national organization whose mission is to support all members of the Armed Forces and their families through a variety of supportive events and activities. Blue Star Mothers have or have had sons and daughters serving honorably in the United States military.
Fans can show their support by choosing from one of three packages to help provide tickets to families of active or retired Military Members for the game on Feb. 29. Packages range in price from $250 to $1,000 and include in-game recognition on the videoboard as well as team-signed merchandise. Packages can be purchased up until Friday, Feb. 28 with all tickets being donated back to Veterans Outreach Center.
Veterans Outreach Center is the season-long sponsor of the Knighthawks “Hometown Heroes” program, which provides complimentary tickets to a United States Military Veteran, Retired, Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard service member as well as any law enforcement officials, first responders, fire fighters and EMS personnel at every home game.
Knighthawks single game tickets for the 2019-20 season start at just $17. Fans can stay up to date all season long with the latest Knighthawks news, stories and notes at www.rochesterknighthawks.com.
About Veterans Outreach Center
Founded locally in 1973 by returning Vietnam veterans, today’s Veterans Outreach Center remains anchored in our community and offers a comprehensive portfolio of supportive services designed to meet the needs of veterans and their families. Through the generosity of our community, all of these programs and services are provided free of charge. Veterans Outreach Center provides comprehensive resources to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families through direct service, community collaboration, and advocacy. Veterans Outreach Center’s vision is to “Be the Nation’s best provider of community-centered supportive services for veteran families.”