Steelheads, ECHL announce yearly charitable contribution totals

(Boise, ID) - The Idaho Steelheads once again played the role of good steward of the community during the 2011-12 season, donating over $60,000 worth of money, goods, and services back to the greater Treasure Valley community. A big part of it were two jersey auctions. The Steelheads wore Boise State-themed, blue and orange jerseys in January and then University of Idaho-themed, black and gold jerseys in March. Both jersey auctions benefitted St. Luke?s Elks Children?s Rehab and Mountain States Tumor Institute. The Boise State jerseys generated $17,470 in bids while the Idaho jerseys brought in $10,987. The Steelheads, who have been doing jersey auctions for charity since 1998, have now donated nearly $390,000 via specialty jerseys with 100 percent of the bid money going directly to the charity or non-profit organization. ?That part is important to us,? team president Eric Trapp said. ?We don?t keep a penny that is raised through the auctions. We want all that money to go directly to the charity or non-profit so they can put it to use.? Multiple jerseys sold outright for $1,500 apiece during the auctions. Marty Flichel?s black-and-gold Idaho jersey was purchased outright as were the blue-and-orange jerseys of Jacob Cepis, Jerry Kuhn, and Kory Scoran. The Steelheads also fulfilled nearly 200 donation requests from all over the area, from Twin Falls in the Magic Valley to Baker City in north-central Oregon. ?We know that every little bit helps, especially for some of the smaller auctions and raffles that are supporting rural emergency services, schools, and events,? Trapp continued. ?If a couple tickets or an autographed puck can help keep those services strong, we wouldn?t be very gracious members of the valley if we didn?t give those things back to the people who support us.? The Steelheads announcement comes in conjunction with the ECHL?s announcement on Friday that its teams contributed more than $2.6 million to local charities and non-profits across the league during the 2011-12 season. The Premier ?AA? Hockey League and its teams have contributed over $19 million to charity in the last six years and more than $23 million in the last seven seasons. ?We are proud of the significant community involvement of all member organizations across the country, particularly in the area of cancer awareness and youth sports,? said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. ?Our teams continue to make significant contributions to the quality of life in all of our markets through their involvement in worthwhile, community-based organizations.? The financial contributions are in addition to the thousands of appearances by players, coaches, team personnel and mascots at schools, hospitals, libraries and charity functions throughout the year. Defenseman Matt Cowie led the Steelheads in community appearances, earning him the team?s coveted Bill Campbell Community Service award. The Steelheads community relations department fills donation requests on an individual basis and encourages people to learn more about the team?s policies and procedures by clicking here.