ANNUAL REPORT - Carolina Hurricanes - NHL.com

Pick Up a Book and Read
The Pick Up a Book and Read literacy-driven
program provides incentives to encourage
third, fourth and fi fth grade students to
challenge their reading abilities. The
2,190 elementary school students students from 50
participating schools successfully read 3.1
million pages. Each Each participating student
received a certifi cate cate of accomplishment
for participation. Tickets to a a Carolina Carolina
Hurricanes game and replica jerseys
were some of the top incentives for
readers. The top three schools, Deep
River Elementary, Lincoln Heights
Elementary and Aycock Elementary,
were treated to an assembly hosted by by
Stormy and Ron the Ref.
Students who participated in the
program’s annual optional essay
contest were invited to a Recognition
Luncheon at the RBC Center. Essay
fi nalists, parents, and teachers were
surprised when Rod Brind’Amour and Stormy Stormy were were on on
hand to be part of the program. Attendees also heard a keynote speech on
the importance of reading from radio play-by-play broadcaster Chuck Kaiton.
Hockey Fights Cancer
The Carolina Hurricanes took part in
the NHL’s league-wide initiative to raise
cancer awareness and
money for cancer patients
across the continent. This
year, nine local cancer
organizations received
concourse space, a
30-second in-game
PSA, ticket fundraising
options and an in-game
Rod Brind’Amour and Stormy pose with an essay contest participant at
the Pick Up a Book and Read luncheon.
Members of the Eye Care Associates Storm
Squad pose with their Hockey Fights Cancer pins.
gift presentation. The night was capped
off by the players, coaches, broadcasters,
wives and staff wearing
Hockey Fights Cancer
signature attire, cervical
cancer survivor – and wife of
Scott Walker – Julie Walker
as the siren sounder, as well
as cancer survivors as the
anthem singer and starter of
the game.
Community Walks
The Carolina Hurricanes formed teams to walk in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure,
the START! Triangle Heart Walk, the Walk for Hope and the Friesen 5K. Hurricanes
President and General Manager Jim Rutherford earned the Rookie of the Year award from
the START! Triangle Heart Walk for his tremendous individual fundraising efforts which
generated $13,000 for the American Heart Association.
Tim Gleason takes time after a game to visit with members of the military. He presented these Marines
with an American fl ag signed by the 2010 Men’s Olympic Hockey Team to take back to Afghanistan.
Discounted Ticket Programs
Hurricanes Heroes is a charity ticket
program which allows season ticket holders
to donate upcoming game tickets to local
non-profi t groups. Tickets are donated
to children’s homes, child education and
development programs, youth afterschool
programs, child health and safety
organizations, military groups, and adult
education and development programs.
More than 5,000 tickets were distributed
to various non-profi t groups through
Hurricanes Heroes.
The Carolina Hurricanes also recognized
various groups during the year, and each
group was offered special ticket discounts
and special acknowledgement during the
game. The Carolina Hurricanes hosted
the annual Military Appreciation Night,
sponsored by Volvo Rents Construction
Equipment. In addition to the tickets donated
to military branches, corporate suite holders
rallied this year by donating 17 suites to
military branches. Tim Gleason partnered
with US Falcon to host a Wounded Warriors
suite for the night. Fans that came to the
game were met by tanks, helicopters and
other military equipment on the front lawn.
For Teacher Appreciation Night, many of
the in-game promotions revolved around
educational themes. ‘Canes College Nights
allowed Tobacco Road rivals and other instate
college students to buy discounted
tickets with a valid student ID. In addition,
policeman, fi remen and emergency
technicians were specially recognized with
Public Safety Night.
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