Royals Thank Fans for Record Setting Pink in the Rink Celebration

Season’s Largest Crowd Helps Raise over $30,000 for Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County

Reading, PA – The Reading Royals of the ECHL extend the organization’s sincere thanks to all fans and participants in the team’s Sixth Annual Pink in the Rink Celebration at Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania on Saturday, February 16. Not only did the team maintain it’s perfect record in PIR games (6-0-0-0) with a 4-3 victory over the Elmira Jackals that night, the organization, along with the energetic assistance of a season high crowd of 6,659, raised $32,500 for Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County. The total fund-raising effort, which is a single charitable event record for the Royals, was comprised of the several elements, including the net proceeds generated from (i) a sold-out chuck-a-puck (ii) the Goals for a Cure program; (iii) the auction of a pink lift chair donated courtesy of Superior Oxygen; (iv) a portion of ticket proceeds to the game; and (v) the post-game jersey auction of the special pink-inspired sweaters worn by the Royals in the team’s victory that night. The jersey auction itself was filled with numerous emotional highlights, including the bidding bonanza for team captain Yannick Tifu’s pink jersey which ultimately yielded $10,600—believed to be the second highest bid ever recorded on an ECHL specialty jersey. “We were absolutely overwhelmed with the support of the fans and the community in this year’s Pink the Rink fund-raising effort,” said Royals General Manager Mark Wallace. “We are so proud that the Royals family was once again willing to go above and beyond the expected to help such a vital member of the Berks County region, Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County. We want to thank everyone for their participation and generous support.” Kathy Kolb, the Director of Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County, stated, “wow, we’re absolutely ecstatic over the success of this year’s Pink in the Rink celebration. It’s difficult to find the right words to properly express how thankful we are to the Royals, the team’s fans, and the entire Berks County community for their energetic, enthusiastic and generous support. We look forward to continuing our effort to support and assist those who are battling breast cancer—an effort that wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing support of fund-raising efforts like the Royals annual Pink in the Rink event. So, once again, on behalf of all of us at Breast Cancer Support Services, thank you for your generosity.”