When the dust had finally settled following the nearly four day marathon that was the Gillette Wild Junior Hockey Organization and Affiliates Motorcycle Club Veterans Appreciation Auction, the numbers were astonishing.
The twenty-five custom designed red, white, and blue jerseys raised $10,175 that will be used to support the Affiliates MC Shopping For The Vets program.
The program fulfills the Christmas wish lists of veterans from around the state of Wyoming.
“I respect all those guys 100%,” Wild Head Coach Ethan Hayes said of the Affiliates group. “You see a lot of the guys at the games and I know they’re really involved in the community making sure our veterans have what they need, their families included. It’s very well respected by not just me, but our entire organization.”
Affiliates MC National President Jonathan Bare was very proud to have now been apart of the highest grossing jersey auction the junior team has ever done.
“That is a testament to not only the team we have on the ice but the fans coming out, supporting the team, and supporting local charities and organizations,” Bare said. This community has done that for years.”
Many of the veterans being served are from the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming in Buffalo. Bare said his group will receive the wishlists soon, and get help from Gillette Hockey Association volunteers in gathering and customizing each recipients gifts.
“This community has been a huge part of our success as an organization,” Bare said. “Being able to do what we do not only with the hockey team, but the other events that we do. Every year, they just get better and better.”