Mission Statement
The Bakersfield Condors strive to meet the educational,
social, health, and cultural needs of our community by offering
unique resources and support for local youth-oriented and non-profit
organizations that maintain and enhance the quality of life in our
community.
If your business or organization is interested in
sponsoring one or more of the Bakersfield Condors outstanding community
programs, or you would like to schedule an appearance, contact the
Community Relations Department at 324-PUCK (7825).
2007-08 Charity Events Listing:
- Oct. 7: Open House and Canned Food Collection for Bakersfield
Homeless Center…3,400lbs of canned food
- Oct. 13: My First Library Book Collection…600 books
- Oct. 15: Condors Charity Golf Tournament…$6,000 for Kern
Bridges Youth Home
- Oct. 24: Project Warm Families Coat Collection sponsored by
KGET TV-17, KBKO 96-5 and Barber Honda…2,200 Coats
- Nov. 14: HOT 94.1 & Department of Public Health Businesspersons
Special / Field Trip Day…5500 educational booklets distributed
- Nov. 18: Bright House Networks, KUZZ 107.9 & McDonald's
10th Anniversary Jersey Off Our Backs…$21,475 for Ronald
McDonald House Charities
- Nov. 24: KGET TV-17, KERN 1410 AM & Wells Fargo Bank Teddy
Bear Toss…7,115 Teddy Bears
- Dec. 1: Holiday Inn Select presents DARE Night…3,600 tickets
distributed
- Dec. 12: ABC23, R&D Leather Furniture and Stay Focused Ministries
Toy Drive…220 Toys
- Dec. 15: ABC23 and SC Architect Inc. present Classroom Champions…600
tickets distributed for students meeting behavioral or attendance
goals
- Jan. 8: Diamond Technology and CHW Mercy and Memorial Hospitals
T.H.I.N.K. program…400 tickets to students meeting academic
goals.
- Jan. 29: Diamond Technology and CHW Mercy and Memorial Hospitals
T.H.I.N.K. program…660 tickets given to students for achieving
academic goals
- Feb. 5: My 45 & 96.9 La Caliente Help For The Homeless Canned
Food Collection…over 1700 lbs of canned food
- Feb. 9: ABC23 and SC Architect Inc. present Classroom Champions…1200
tickets distributed for behavioral and attendance excellence
- Feb. 9: 96.5 KBKO & American Business Machines present Jersey
Raffle & Auction…$30,700 raised for Children’s
Miracle Network
- Feb. 24: Bright House Networks, KUZZ 107.9 & Hudson Custom
Construction Condors Fighting Cancer Hockey-Thon…$56,700
for Links for Life (local breast cancer resource center)
- Feb. 24: Diamond Technology and CHW Mercy and Memorial Hospitals
T.H.I.N.K. program…1300 tickets to students for achieving
academic goals.
- Mar. 10: ABC23 and SC Architect Inc. present Classroom Champions…1150
tickets distributed for behavioral and attendance excellence
- Mar. 18: KUZZ 107.9 presents Tip-A-Condor Charity Dinner…$16,044
raised for the Kern County Shrine Club
- Mar. 29: Diamond Technology and CHW Mercy and Memorial Hospitals
T.H.I.N.K. program…1562 tickets given to students for achieving
academic goals
- Mar. 29: Bright House Networks, KUZZ 107.9 & Bud Light present
Country Music Jersey Raffle & Auction…$31,600 raised
for Valley Achievement Center.
- Mar. 31: KUZZ 107.9 Blood Drive Night…1,080 blood donations
(double the Houchin average)
- April 9: Season-Worn Jersey Off Our Backs Silent Auction…$16,400
raised for the Active 20/30 Club.
Team Events
| Fundraisers | Condors
Collections | For the Kids
Educational Programs | 2005-06
Season | 2006-07 Season
2007-08 TEAM EVENTS
Open House & Family Day
The annual Open House was held on Sunday, Oct. 7. This event marked
the first chance to meet the 2007-08 team and get a chance to see
them on the ice during a team practice, fans were also invited to
skate with the team following their practice. It was also the first
day for season ticket holders to pick up their ticket packages.
Admission was free with the donation of two non-perishable food
items that were donated on behalf of the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter.
This year's Open House brought in nearly $5,100 worth of canned
food, bringing the four-year total to $20,192.
10/10 at 10
On Oct. at 10 a.m. the Condors got the season officially underway
by hosting the 10th Anniversary Kick-Off ("10/10 At 10").
The special celebration was held on the plaza in front of Rabobank
Arena with free hot dogs, sodas and lots of fun! Condors players
and mascots dropped by throughout the event to mingle with fans,
and Individual tickets for regular season were specially priced
at $10 for that day only.
Charity Golf Tournament
The Condors 10th Annual Invitational Charity Golf Tournament was
held at the Links at RiverLakes in October and raised $6,000 for
the Kern Bridges Youth Homes. A total of $31,335 has been raised
for local charities since the beginning of the Condors Charity Golf
Tournament.
Ladies Night
The Condors will host their annual Ladies Night on Feb. 4. Lady
Condors fans are invited to participate in a behind-the-scenes tour
of the arena and locker rooms, receive on-ice instruction, and enjoy
dinner with the players and coaches, followed by a question-and-answer
session. On Feb. 5, the following night, the ladies will enjoy the
Condors game from the on-ice suite.
Tip-A-Condor
Set to be held at the Crystal Palace on March 18, the players go
from skaters to waiters at the annual Tip-A-Condor Charity dinner.
Members of the team act as the evening's waiters and entertainers
collecting "tips" that are donated to the Kern County
Shrine Club. The evening also includes an auction including signed
jerseys, equipment and memorabilia.
2007-2008 FUNDRAISERS
Jersey Auctions
Since the 1998-99 season, "Jersey Off Our Back" auctions
have proven to be a successful way for Condors to raise funds for
non-profit organizations. In its ten-year lifespan the Bakersfield
Condors have raised more than $480,000 in charitable donations.
The first jersey auction of the 2007-08 season was on Nov. 18 and
raised $21,475 for the Ronald McDonald House, and was a special
10th anniversary jersey featuring names and pictures of past and
present Condors greats along with legendary headlines from the past
10 years.
Donations
At the beginning of the Condors 10th Anniversary season the team
had donated nearly $2.5 million in Condors history.
The Condors continue to play an active role in the community responding
to hundreds of donation requests each year. In 2007 alone the Condors
have donated to nearly 50 individual local organizations in the
form merchandise, tickets and monetary donations.
The Condors continue to play an active role in the community, responding
to hundreds of donation requests each year.
Nightly Jersey Raffle/Organization of the Night
One local non-profit organization receives the special distinction
as the Condors Organization of the Night at every Condors home game.
As the Organization of the Night, non-profit organizations receive
a concourse table from which to promote their services and/or offer
information regarding their organization. In addition, they are
the beneficiary of the nightly "jersey raffle." Raffle
tickets are sold for the chance to win a Condors game worn jersey,
for only $1.
Through this program, over $15,600 was divided among participating
organizations during the 2006-07 season. Raffle jerseys in Condors
history have raised $77,236.
2007-2008 CONDORS COLLECTIONS
Condors "Care-A-Van"
Each summer, the Condors travel to communities surrounding Kern
County with Goodwill Industries to promote hockey and collect donations.
Last summer the Care-A-Van visited Tehachapi, Lake Isabella, Frazier
Park, Wasco and Taft with players, mascots and staff. Stops included
rotary clubs, boys and girls clubs, parks, schools and restaurants.
Teddy Bear Toss
During the event's nine-year history in Condorstown, over 44,800
stuffed animals have been tossed onto the ice leading to national
acclaim as one of the most successful stuffed animal drives in hockey.
During the 2007-08 season the Teddy Bear Toss collected 7,115 stuffed
animals on Nov. 24 and was distributed to local children through
the United Way of Kern County.
Press Release: Condors
Collect 7,026 Stuffed Animals in Annual Teddy Bear Toss
Project Warm Families
The Project Warm Families Coat Drive collected 2,200 coats during
the 2007-08 season and helped needy families through various Kern
County social agencies. The event has collected over 19,300 coats
in its history.
Press Release: Condors
Collect Nearly 2,200 Coats; 10 Year Total Tops 18,000 Coats
Blood Drive
Everyone who donated blood during the month of March for the Condors
Blood Drive received a voucher for a free admission to the game
on Wednesday, March 28th. To boost the blood drive, Condors players,
mascots and staff were present at Houchin Blood Bank throughout
the month and even more so the week of March 19th. That week alone
the Condors, alongside KUZZ 107.9, brought in 835 registered donors,
up from the Houchin average of 500 donors per week. Go Condors!
This year’s Blood Drive is again set for the month of March.
Everyone who donates blood that month will receive $1.00 admission
to the game on March 31.
Holiday Inn Select DARE Night
To date, the Condors have donated 28,000 tickets to DARE's graduates
during their four year support of the program. In 2007-08 students
graduating from the DARE program will receive complimentary terrace
level admission to games on Saturday, December 2 and Wednesday,
April 4.
2007-2008 FOR THE KIDS
Condors Kids Club
Fans ages 12 years old and younger can join the coolest club in
Condorstown for only $25!. Membership runs from September 1, 2007
to May 31, 2008 and includes an individual ticket to six pre-determined
home games, a Kids Club T-shirt, chances to meet Condors players,
coaches and mascots, access to the Flashco Kids Zone and exclusive
Kids Club gifts.
Big Buddies Nights
The Condors team up with local-area businesses to provide tickets
for underprivileged children and worthy non-profit organizations
through the "Big Buddies" program. In 2006-07, almost
3,000 tickets were made available to children who would not otherwise
have been able to attend a Condors game. If you would like to donate
to the Big Buddies program contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK
(7825).
Over $55,000 in tickets have been given away during the Big Buddies
five-year life span.
Raymond's Rascals
For every home game, the Condors set aside 20 tickets for the United
Way, who then distribute those tickets to groups or families that
may not otherwise be able to attend a hockey game.
2007-2008 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Condors Classroom Champions
Condors Classroom Champions sponsored by SC Architect, Inc. and
ABC23, is dedicated to excellent attendance levels at school. Students
who meet attendance requirements will be rewarded with a ticket
to a pre-determined Classroom Champions game night. Attendance criteria
will be managed by each individual school and/or teacher.
T.H.I.N.K.
T.H.I.N.K. (Turn Hockey Into New Knowledge) sponsored by ARRC Technology
and Mercy and Memorial Hospitals, is geared towards academic excellence.
The purpose of this program is to reward students who reach their
scholastic and/or behavioral goals with a ticket to a pre-determined
T.H.I.N.K. night game. Each school and/or teacher will be able to
set criteria requirements that the students must meet.
School Field Trip Day
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 was the third annual Condors Field
Trip Day, with nearly 5,500 students present. Elementary schools
across Kern County were invited to bring students out to the Rabobank
Arena for a special 10:30 am Condors game. Participants not only
enjoyed hockey and lunch, they also received a 16-page educational
booklet that ties hockey to education by including all the major
subjects in school.
The 2006-2007 season provided a stellar performance both on and
off the ice. The Condors players, mascots and front office staff
made more than 150 appearances at schools and charity functions
all over Kern County. It is easy to see why Bakersfield is Condorstown!
Condors 2006-07
Community Relations Overview
The Bakersfield Condors were awarded the Beautiful Bakersfield
Group Humanitarian Award in June, 2007 for the second consecutive
year, for their achievements during the 2006-07 season. The club
had a record-breaking year in community service donating more than
$470,000 in goods, services and monetary donations for local non-profit
organizations and schools. Nominees in this category were recognized
on the basis of being "a group whose combined efforts have
contributed to the community as a whole." The Condors were
honored among other nominees such as the American Petroleum Institute,
Kern Autism Network, and the Kern County Human Services to name
a few.
"It is an honor to support our local community partners in
Kern County," Condors President Matthew Riley said. "Together
we make an unbeatable team on and off the ice, as our successes
continue to grow. We are very proud to serve as a conduit for our
tremendous fans to help the less fortunate."
The Condors were also recognized on ECHL.com for their charitable
contributions, as they have set what is believed to be a new league
record for highest donation earnings in a season.
"The ECHL would like to recognize the Bakersfield Condors
for their exemplary efforts within the Kern County community,"
ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna said. "Through the Condors
involvement in local charitable causes they have become an important
part of the fabric of the community. The involvement of Condors'
players and staff and their donation of time, money and merchandise
have set a standard for other ECHL teams to match."
During the Condors nine year history the organization has contributed
nearly $2.5 million dollars to charitable organizations. The Condors
would like to give a huge heartfelt thank you to all their fans
and supporters because without their continuous dedication and contributions
these accolades would not be possible.
The Condors Jersey Off Our Back Auctions raised $97,200 during
the 2006-07 season, setting both an overall record, and also an
individual jersey record with Andrew Oke's 2007 St. Patrick's Day
Jersey raising $5,200, overtaking the previous team record of $5,100
set by Kevin St. Jacques 2006 Veteran's Day Jersey earlier that
year. Among the organizations that received proceeds from the auctions
were the Active 20/30 Club, Kern Adult Literacy Council, Petroleum
Shrine Club and the Ronald McDonald House.
The Third Annual Fighting Cancer Hockey-Thon drew a record-setting
$61,238 for "Links for Life," a local cancer resource
center. This event, organized by Condors legend Kevin Barrett, in
conjunction with the Condors, nearly doubled the number of participants
and tripled the amount of proceeds from the previous year.
Another $23,489 was raised on behalf of the Kern County Shrine
Club at the Seventh Annual "Tip-A-Condor" charity dinner.
In addition, the Condors annual Charity Golf Tournament brought
in $8,000, to benefit various non-profit organizations in Kern County.
The Eighth Annual Teddy Bear Toss on Nov. 25 gathered 5,475 stuffed
animals for youth-oriented non-profits in Kern County and set the
single game attendance mark during the 2006-07 season, with 8,743
fans. It was also the fourth largest crowd in franchise history.
The Condors once again teamed up with local-area businesses and
the United Way of Kern County to provide tickets for underprivileged
children and non-profit organizations, through the "Raymond's
Rascals" and "Big Buddies" programs. In addition,
graduates of the D.A.R.E. program and students who excelled in the
Condors educational programs, T.H.I.N.K. and Classroom Champions,
received tickets throughout the season as a reward for their dedicational
successes. More than 23,000 tickets were donated on behalf of all
the programs listed above.
Other highlights from the 2006-07 season include:
The Bakersfield Condors had a record setting third 40-win season
and recorded a second consecutive first-round playoff series win.
The Condors hosted the 3rd Annual Field Trip Game, with a special
start time of 10:30am, and distributed free educational handouts
to every child in attendance. The booklets, courtesy of The Bakersfield
Californian, featured hockey-related information and questions in
the subjects of geography, math, language, science and health.
Over 10,000 students earned free tickets to Condors games through
exceptional performance and attendance in the classroom through
the Condors THINK (Turn Hockey Into New Knowledge) and Condors Classroom
Champions programs. Players and office staff visited schools to
discuss the importance of education and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Thanks to the support of local businesses, just under 3,000 tickets
were donated to underprivileged children through the Condors Big
Buddies Program.
Nearly 10,000 tickets were donated to students enrolled in the
DARE and GREAT programs.
At every home game this season fans could purchase an opportunity
drawing ticket for $1 with the chance to win a 2006-07 game worn
jersey or a 2006-07 team signed replica jersey. The proceeds from
the drawings benefited both the Non-Profit Organization of the Night
and the Condors Charities Fund, raising a total of $15,611.
Charitable organizations, ranging from cheerleading teams from
local schools to the Boy Scouts, teamed up with the Condors for
fundraising and earned over $59,000!
Condors
2005-06 Community Relations Overview
The Bakersfield Condors would like to thank the fans and the community
of Bakersfield, as well as all the sponsors for their support during
the 2005-2006 season. The Condors are dedicated to giving back to
the community and appreciate the support and partnership that Kern
County has provided. With your help we were able to donate more
than $405,000 in goods, products and monetary donations last season
and a total of $2 million dollars in Condors history.
The Bakersfield Condors had a record setting year both on and
off the ice. The Condors recorded their first ever playoff series
win and kept playing until game seven of the Pacific Division Finals.
The Condors raised a franchise record of $86,950 during
the 2005-06 season with the popular Jersey Off Our Back auctions.
On Saturday, November 19th, a Bakersfield themed jersey brought
in $16,650 for the Ronald McDonald House. The Petroleum Shrine Club
received $23,250 from the Team USA Olympic jerseys auctioned off
February 17th. In that auction, Ryan Munce topped Paul Rosebush
by $100 for the highest individual bid received at $3,800. That
auction also featured jerseys for former Fog and Condors players
Kevin Barrett and Glen Mears and raised a total $32,200 for CASA.
The auctions concluded with the silent bids for the Condors Warm-up
Jersey, featuring the US Army desert camouflage sweater worn during
pre-game warm-ups at all home games. An inspiring $14,850 was collected
benefiting the Active 20/30 Club and specifically 9-year-old Walker
Franks, a local boy with acute aplastic anemia. This$86,950
in 2005-2006 jersey auctions is a 20% increase from the previous
season's total.
Fur was flying once again on Saturday, November 26th, as fans
participated in the annual Teddy Bear Toss. An overwhelming
6,119 stuffed toys were thrown onto the ice following the
Condors first goal. The fuzzy friends were collected and distributed
to less fortunate children with the help of the United Way of Kern
County. A few days later, fans once again provided for the less
fortunate by bringing new or gently used coats for the annual Project
Warm Families Coat Drive. Junior Achievement helped distribute
the 2,000 coats collected to appropriate organizations in Kern County.
The coat collection is the longest tenured charity drive in franchise
history, dating back to the Fog days.
Local hockey players and Condors fans rang in the New Year with
the 2nd Annual Condors Fighting Cancer Hockey-Thon organized
by former Fog and Condors defenseman Kevin Barrett. The event included
27 hours of hockey, including a Celebrity and Legends game featuring
former players, members of the media and current assistant coach
Mark Pederson. The event raised $20,384.77, bringing the
two year total to an impressive $44,000 benefiting Link to Life,
a local breast cancer resource center.
In February 2006, the 7th Annual Tip-A-Condor Charity Dinner
was held at the Crystal Palace. Condors players went from skaters
to waiters, collecting tips for the Kern County Shrine Club. A record
$16,000 was raised to help Shriner's hospitals.
Other highlights from the 2005-2006 season include:
- More than 7,700 lbs of non-perishable food items were collected
for The Salvation Army and Golden Empire Gleaners during the season.
- The Condors hosted the 2nd Annual Field Trip Game with a special
start time of 10:30am and free educational handouts to every child
in attendance. The booklets, courtesy of The Bakersfield Californian,
featured hockey-related information and questions in the subjects
of geography, math, language, science and health.
- Roughly 8,000 students earned free tickets to Condors games
through exceptional performance and attendance in the classroom
through the Condors THINK (Turn Hockey Into New Knowledge) and
Condors Classroom Champions programs. Players and office staff
visited schools to discuss the importance of education and maintaining
a healthy lifestyle. An additional 7,000 students were awarded
complimentary admission for their participation in the DARE program.
- An amazing 1,107 pillows were collected for various Kern County
charities with the return of the Condors Pillow Fight on the 31st
of March as the Condors made a second attempt to break the world
record for the largest pillow fight.
- Thanks to the support of local businesses, 2,867 tickets were
donated to underprivileged children through the Condors Big Buddies
Program, an 87% increase over 2004-2005.
- At every home game this season fans could purchase an opportunity
drawing ticket for $1 with the chance to win a 2004-2005 game
worn jersey or a 2005-2006 team signed replica jersey. The proceeds
from the drawings benefited both the Non-Profit Organization of
the Night and the Condors Charities Fund. A total $18,833 was
raised, beating the previous season's total by more than $10,000.
- Non-profit organizations could raise even more money for their
cause by participating in a Condors fundraiser. This season, more
than $27,000 was awarded to groups for their fundraising efforts!
The 2005-2006 season provided a stellar performance both on and off
the ice. The Condors players, mascots and front office staff made
more than 150 appearances at schools and charity functions all over
Kern County. With the support of our generous sponsors and fans, the
Condors have been able to raise an astonishing $2 million in franchise
history. It is easy to see why Bakersfield is Condorstown! |