Fleming students earning stripes
Petes unveil plaid jerseys for United Way benefit game
The second annual Peterborough Petes Plaid Night in support of the United Way has led to a reunion of sorts.
For 17 years one of the United Way’s largest fundraising events was a sports auction organized by Fleming College’s sporting goods business program at the former Jake’s Neighbourhood Grill.
Spearheaded by former student Noah Crowley and program head Charlie McGee, three Fleming students are soliciting silent auction items for Plaid Night next Thursday when the Petes host the Oshawa Generals at 7:05 p.m. at the Memorial Centre.
The Petes and United Way unveiled the special plaid jerseys they’ll don for the match to be sold in an online auction after the game. The white jersey will feature plaid sleeves and trimmings with the traditional Petes logo.
All jersey proceeds, along with proceeds from the silent auction and other events around the game, will go to the 2018-19 United Way campaign.
A signed Chris Pronger Anaheim Ducks jersey, a John Tavares jersey, Roots winter apparel, fishing and golf items highlight some of the silent auction items being added daily by the Fleming students.
McGee said Crowley reached out to him about renewing the sporting goods business program’s relationship with the United Way.
“We thought this is fantastic,” McGee said. “We can get involved with the United Way again and become a partnership. It allows our students to take some of the learning they get in class and apply it to the real world.
“What’s exciting for me,” said McGee, “is the majority of items came from students who were involved in the sports auction back In the day. You reach out to them and they remember the excitement of it and wanted to give back.”
The plaid theme was the brainchild of Neil Morton the 2017-18 United Way campaign chairman.
“As a kid I went to Petes games for years with my dad,” he said.
“I moved away to Toronto for 20 years but kept wearing plaid because I’m a Peterborough boy. You just can’t get rid of the plaid. All my Toronto friends would make fun of me but it is what it is and I am who I am. Peterborough plaid is in my blood.”
Not only will the Petes be wearing plaid, Morton hopes fans will, too.
“We’re hoping for a sea of plaid,” Morton said.
Last year’s event raised about $30,000 and United Way CEO Jim Russell said they’re hoping to top that this year on the way to their ultimate goal of $1.85 million.
“None of this is possible without the Petes,” Russell said. “The Petes, along with the United Way, have a really deep, deep presence in our community and have been bringing joy and entertainment and building community for decades and decades.”
Bolton Kirkof, co-ordinator of group sales and ticket services for the Petes, said the Petes are pleased to help build awareness for the United Way.
“The more awareness we build the more funds we can raise with the United Way,” Kirkof said.
Major sponsors of the event are Cambian Inc., Patrick McAuley Real Estate and Ptbo_Canada.
Fans can purchase tickets to the game for $20 with $7 of each ticket going to the United Way through the United Way office at 277 Stewart St. or by contacting Kirkof at 705-743-3681 ext. 257 or bkirkof@gopetesgo.com or visit him at the Petes office.