Springfield Thunderbirds Donate $20,000 to Rays of Hope Foundation

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds recently presented a check in the amount of $20,000 to the Rays of Hope Foundation, the culmination of a second-year partnership with Baystate Health. 

The $20,000 was raised through ticket sales and jersey auctions from the Thunderbirds’ second annual Pink in the Rink game on March 10. A sellout crowd of 6,793, many of whom were dressed in pink, witnessed a moving pregame ceremony honoring breast-cancer survivors and battlers.

“We are filled with pride to be able to present this charitable gift to the Rays of Hope Foundation,” said Thunderbirds President Nathan Costa. “This would not have been possible without the efforts of our partners at Baystate Health, as well as our fans who contributed directly to this wonderful cause.”

In their two seasons partnering with Rays of Hope on Pink in the Rink night, the Springfield Thunderbirds have raised more than $30,000 for breast-cancer awareness and research. The Thunderbirds’ full 2018-19 schedule, including the date for the third annual Pink in the Rink, will be unveiled later this summer.