KEARNEY, Neb. – For the third consecutive year, the Tri-City Storm is partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska to present the Jerseys For A Cause program, which begins with Pink In The Rink night this Friday, Oct. 4.
Storm players will don limited edition pink jerseys during Friday’s game against Sioux City, and the ice surface will be painted pink in honor of the program.
One jersey will be raffled off during every home game this season, with different cancer awareness organizations receiving 100 percent of the proceeds each month.
“This is one of many community based programs that we feature throughout our hockey season, but this one carries a great amount of significance because it’s actually an opportunity to generate some dollars that stay right here in Central Nebraska,” said Storm President Greg Shea. “To have a partner like Blue Cross Blue Shield to continue to support us and the program says a lot about what we’re doing and what we’re accomplishing.”
October’s recipient is the Good Samaritan Hospital’s Kearney Tackles Cancer Fund, which raises money to help those that are struggling financially while fighting cancer.
“This week is a great way to kick off our program for the year,” Shea said. We get an opportunity to contribute here locally to the Kearney Tackles Cancer campaign and it’s something that all the fans get to participate in.”
Other beneficiaries include:
November: Central Nebraska’s Relay for Life
December: The Make-A-Wish Foundation
January: Phelps Memorial Health Center Holdrege
February/April: Susan G. Komen Foundation
March: Mary Lanning Healthcare’s Morrison Cancer Center
“We try to have a good mix of organizations that have ties throughout the region,” Shea said. We have also looked to places like Hastings and Holdrege as examples outside of Kearney where we want to have an impact.”
In total during the past two seasons, the Storm and their dedicated fan base has raised over $25,000 for their various recipients.
This season, the special edition jersey is gray with the commemorative Pink In The Rink logo in the center, along with a pink stripe across the chest and the traditional Storm logo on each shoulder.
The Storm will wear the uniforms and help contribute to this cause Friday night when they host the Sioux City Musketeers at the Viaero Event Center at 7:30 p.m.