It was not the game results the Peterborough Petes wanted but it was a different story for their Pink in the Rink Fundraising campaign as they raised $49,103.26 to reach a $1 million lifetime mark at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Saturday.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank the players for being Ambassadors for this year’s Campaign,” said Michael Oke, Petes general manager and vice president of operations. “We started this initiative 15 years ago with Pete's staff such as Aaron Garfat, Cathy Webster and Don Sharp. To be able to raise over one million dollars in just 15 years is an amazing accomplishment. We hope to see this campaign continue to grow at the rate that it has today. Wheels of Hope is a great program, and we’re extremely pleased that the funds from this year will be put to good use.”
This year’s Campaign supported the Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope program. The Petes players who served as Ambassadors for the event raised funds. The 2024 Game Jersey Auction, a silent auction, a bucket pass, Pink in the Rink t-shirt sale, and chuck-a-puck also raised funds. In total, the Petes have raised $1,003,239.20 in 15 years of Pink in the Rink.
Despite the success off the ice, the team would ultimately fall to the IceDogs 5-4 in overtime. The Petes also dropped a Sunday on the road to the Kingston Frontenacs, 4-2.