April 14, 2009

Pink in the Rink generates $10,500 for local health agencies

SAULT STE. MARIE - Nine area health organizations will share $10,500 in proceeds for the inaugural Pink in the Rink, which was held Nov. 21-22, 2008, during the Lake Superior State hockey series against Robert Morris.

Enthusiasm for the event, which involved a health fair promoting women's health and fitness, a Laker Hockey pink jersey auction, pink popcorn and pink chocolate chip cookies, raffles, goodie bags and more, surpassed all expectations.

According to committee member Danna Sanderson, Pink in the Rink was sparked by a dinner conversation among friends and evolved to include Stan and Ann Jakaitis, LSSU hockey coach Jim Roque and his hockey team, several LSSU employees and many volunteers. Other committee consultants included Kris Dunbar and Ray Schebel from LSSU, Dave Thomas and Mark San Angelo.

"Every single aspect of the event, except the t-shirts, was donated, so our costs were very low," Sanderson said. "We had hoped we could make at least $5,000, but felt that might be optimistic because of the economic situation right now."

Instead, the first event raised $12,000. The committee kept $1,500 for expenses for next year's event. War Memorial Hospital, Chippewa County Health Department, Diane Peppler Shelter, Northern Michigan Cancer Crusaders, Sault Ste. Marie RIDE Program (gives free rides to patients needing transportation to Petoskey for radiation treatments), Girls on the Run of Chippewa County, Sault Health Adolescent Care Center, Chippewa County Health Access Coalition and Lake Superior State Health Care Center shared $10,500 in proceeds. The Chippewa County Community Foundation served as the granting organization.

"There was a really heavy snowfall the first night, and attendance was OK, but not what we had hoped for," recollected Sanderson. "But, by the second night, it seemed word had gotten out and attendance was amazing. People came with money in hand and participated in the event with so much enthusiasm. We knew we were onto something. That night, after the event, Stan, Ann and I went to my house and counted the money. We sat in my kitchen, and all three of us actually had a few tears when we realized we had made about $12,000."

Ann Jakaitis, the mother of former Laker goaltender Jeff Jakaitis, is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed during Jeff's senior year in the spring of 2007. She touched everyone with whom she came into contact with her survivor's spirit. She has participated in similar events with her son's current professional team, the Charlotte Checkers.

"We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a wonderful group of volunteers," Ann Jakaitis said. "It is through their efforts that this event came to be a reality. We would also like to thank all those who attended for their generosity. It is because of them that we are able to make these contributions."

Major sponsors of the first LSSU Pink in the Rink were the Jakaitis family, Charter Communications, Leitz Sports Center, Northern Michigan Cancer Crusaders, O'Connor's, CCCF, Soo Co-op Credit Union, War Memorial Hospital, Riverside Medical, Dr. Kim McCullough, M-Bank, Bordertown Chiropractic, Northern Michigan Urgent Care, All-Star Graphics, AGX Imaging, LSSU Health Care Center and Don Wilson Insurance.

"We were stunned with the response, but also thrilled because it would allow us to give so much more money to so many more groups than we originally planned," Sanderson said.

Photo: Members of the LSSU hockey team pose with Kris Clark, Nichole Matkovich, Marla Bunker and Kristi Little of the Sault Ste. Marie RIDE Program, which is one of the benefactors of the 2008 Pink in the Rink event.

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