Spitfires fans exchange jerseys for pink attire

The Windsor Family Credit Union Centre (WFCU) was a sea of rose coloured shirts and stick tape on Thursday for the annual Pink the Rink Windsor Spitfires game.

The event aims to raise awareness for breast cancer and, in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), the event also works to raise funds that go towards cancer research. This year, the Spitfires are doing more to get fans involved with the event.

“This is the first time that we’ve actually had a ticket package specifically to help raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society” said Dwain Lewis, director of fan development.

In the past, the CCS has been present in fundraising efforts such as stick raffles, but this year they are trying to raise money with ticket sales as well.

Ticket package just $25

The $25 package provided fans with a ticket to the game, a special edition pink Spitfires hat, as well as including a donation to the CCS. Lewis says the package is a way to further include fans in the effort.

“Getting it out in the community, just letting people know that, hey, you can come to a game, get a great deal on a ticket, get a nice piece of merchandise that’s near and dear to your heart and for breast cancer awareness and a donation to go back to the CCS” said Lewis.

While the Spitfires organization is looking to raise more funds through ticket sales, the CCS was still in attendance. With a table decked out in pink balloons and streamers, volunteers collected donations, offered information on the cause, and provided fans a fun way to get involved.

Game-used stick fundraiser raffle

“We’re raffling off some game used pink wrapped hockey sticks and all of the proceeds are going to the breast cancer research and support programs” said Theresa Blondin, senior coordinator of volunteer engagement at the CCS.

Volunteers from the CCS weren’t the only ones in the WFCU lobby fundraising for the cause. Caitlyn Wollocomb, a human resource manager at corporate supplies distributor Cintas, proved humour is the way to a donor’s heart.

“The shirts are free…with a $20 donation” joked Wollocomb. Her humour tactic worked, as game attendees pulled $20 bills from their pockets and purchased the pink Windsor Spitfires ‘Stick it to Cancer’ t-shirt.

“We’ve partnered with the Windsor Spitfires to sell everything here. All the proceeds today are being split between the cancer society and the cancer center here in Windsor. We’re just trying to do all we can to assist the community. We don’t get any funds from it,” said Wollocomb.

Pink the Rink brought out more than 3,000 of Windsor’s hockey fans, all in support of breast cancer awareness. Not only were fans able to be a part of an important cause, but they were also treated to a 7-5 Spitfires win against the Flint Firebirds.