Knighthawks raise money for cystic fibrosis

February 27th, 2009 by Keely Knopp

Members of the Knighthawks pose in the Blue Cross Arena atrium prior to the dinner

(Rochester, NY)… The Rochester Americans and Rochester Knighthawks participated in the 19th Annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner & Sports Memorabilia Auction Wednesday night at The Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial.

Knighthawks in attendance included Assistant GM Tim Soudan, Director of Player Personnel Tom Cincebox, Gary Gait, Joe Walters, John Grant, Craig Point, Jason Henhawk, Pat Cougevan, Mac Allen and Andrew Spack.

“I love to help out when a good cause is involved. The CF people and everyone else here have been amazing,” said Grant. “I think the people got a good time out of it. They raised some good money for a good cause.”

Over the past 18 years, the Amerks have raised over $650,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Rochester. This year the event shifted to the downtown home of the hockey and lacrosse team as part of the teams’ renewed commitment to the CF Foundation.

“It was a great time. It was a good chance to work with the Knighthawks and for fans to interact with two teams and have a great time,” said Amerks forward Stefan Meyer.

The fun-filled event featured players from the Amerks and Knighthawks trading in their jerseys for tuxedoes and serving guests their food and drinks for tips, with all proceeds benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The tipping did not stop after dinner, as players performed antics and tricks with their guests and fellow players for more money. Over 240 people attended the event on the arena floor and watched as Amerk Janis Sprukts sang the Latvian national anthem and Grant, Walters, Cougevan and Amerk Michael Duco rocked out to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Patrons also bid on great sports memorabilia items from the National Hockey League, American Hockey League, National Lacrosse League and the National Football League. Other items included game-worn jerseys and prize packages from the Amerks, Knighthawks, Florida Panthers, Rochester Rhinos and Rochester Red Wings.

One of the most anticipated auctions, however, was the stuffed animals created by the Amerks players at the Eastview Mall Build-A-Bear Workshop®. The furry friends ranged from bears to monkeys, each sporting special outfits portraying the personality of the players. The Build-A-Bear Workshop® creations were available as part of the silent auction. This year both teams built bears for the event, which was made possible through a donation from J.T. Genier Security Services.

Donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Rochester fund on-going, groundbreaking medical research aimed at curing and controlling cystic fibrosis. The CF Ambassador of Hope was again Kyle Schuhart.

Check out more photos from the dinner

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