Bruins Paint the Rink Pink raises over $24K
Published 7:43 am Wednesday, February 14, 2018
- Ann Forland bids on a jersey during the jersey auction Saturday night following the Paint the Rink Pink game at Riverside Arena. Eric Johnson/photdoesk@austindailyherald.com
In its eighth year, Paint the Rink Pink continues its steady roll with another strong year, as it earned over $24,000 from its jersey auction on Saturday night.
The Austin Bruins raised $24,680 on a night that saw the team defeat the Minnesota Magicians 5-1 on the pink-colored ice in front of a sold-out Riverside Arena.
The total is up over $400 from last year’s total of $24,215 and remains steady in comparison to the seven previous years.
“I’m of course excited,” said Bruins co-owner and founder Craig Patrick. “This is eight years in a row and to be over $20,000 is fantastic, especially with so many events with Paint the Town Pink. To still be able to do these kinds of numbers after this period of time is great.”
To date the Bruins have earned a total of $242,089 for The Hormel Institute.
Funds were raised primarily through the postgame auction that included game jerseys, Bruiser’s team-signed jersey and a variety of items from alumni and novelty items.
The Bruins’ Travis Kothenbeutel, who became the team’s all-time leading scorer in January, saw his jersey go for $3,000. Patrick said not only was it nice to see the jersey go for that much, but it was also nice it was Kothenbeutel’s.
The forward is in his third year with the Bruins and has become a fan favorite.
“He has been here for a while and has worked incredibly hard,” Patrick said. “He’s proved himself as a goal scorer and has changed his game that will fit at a Division 1 level.”
The jersey auction wasn’t the only source of income surrounding the event. Other means of fundraising included the sale of Paint the Rink Pink T-shirts, chuck-a-puck, a 50-50 raffle, and “I Fight” cards, allowing fans to commemorate loved ones who have battled or are currently battling cancer. The cards will continue to hang in the Riverside Arena lobby through February.
Patrick said this kind of fundraising effort is a reflection on the community itself.
“I just can’t impress enough how thankful we are for our fans and sponsors,” he said. “We wouldn’t be here without them.”
