It’s not going to be pretty

It’s going to be an ugly night Saturday at the Meridian Centre.

The Niagara IceDogs take on the Barrie Colts in an Ugly Christmas Sweater Game in support of Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold.

The IceDogs have absorbed the costs of the jersey design while local auctioneer Luke Pasmore from Luke’s Auctions has donated his services to help us with the live auction post game. That means that 100 per cent of funds generated through the sales of the jerseys will go right back to Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold.

“Community Care is extremely excited about the upcoming Ugly Christmas Sweater game,” said Betty-Lou Souter, Chief Executive Officer of Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold. “Not only will it generate some much needed revenue for the agency at this time of year but it will also give us the opportunity to recognize our Junior Ambassadors who are part of our fundraising team.

There will be a food drive as well. Fans are encouraged to bring along non-perishable food items to donate to Community Care. When fans donate between three and five items they will receive a $2 ticket voucher to use for any game in January. Bins will be located at all entrances to the game tomorrow night.

Before the game, members of the Community Care Junior Ambassadors program will be taking part in the puck drop.

The Junior Ambassadors program consists of kids of all ages who have raised food and funds through their own initiatives from lemonade stands, to toy drives, to piggy bank collections.  A Junior Ambassador is someone who looks to make a positive change and inspires others to do the same…. a powerful and inspiring model of kids giving back. Children of all ages can apply to become a member of the Community Care Junior Ambassador program by visiting Community Cares website www.communitycarestca.ca

The sweater auction will be held in section 105 at the conclusion of the game for the live auction. Bidding starts at $200 and every player’s jersey will be auctioned off. In addition, an in-game jersey raffle will be taking place during the game on a player jersey to be named. There will be no on-line auctions of the jerseys following the game.