For Immediate Release
The NorthStar Knights are pleased to announce a charity Hockey Jersey Auction when they host the Pacific Hockey Academy on Sun Feb 17 at 3:00pm and Mon Feb 18at 10:00am in Alexandria, MN. All proceeds of this Auction will benefit Someplace Safe of Douglas County and domestic violence victim, Raymond Garcia.
(Alexandria, MN Feb. 11, 2019) — The NorthStar Knights along with Someplace Safe of West Central Minnesota are pleased to announce a game-worn Hockey Jersey Auction which will start Friday Feb 15, and run through Monday Feb 18.. 100% of all proceeds will benefit Someplace Safe and Raymond Garcia.
An online mobile auction will open on Feb 15th to accept bids at https://thismuststop.afrogs.org.
The Jerseys will be worn by the NorthStar Knights’ players during both of their Sunday and Monday games. These 26 specialty Jerseys feature a large purple domestic violence awareness ribbon on the front crest and smaller “Stop Domestic Violence” logos on both shoulders and socks. Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria, MN has generously donated the jerseys for this most worthwhile cause. ADMISSION IS FREE. Games will take place at the NorthStar Sports Complex 3888 Pioneer Rd. SE Alexandria MN.
More about Someplace Safe: Someplace Safe, located at 700 Cedar St. Suite 237 in Alexandria, is a nonprofit organization working to eliminate violence in West Central Minnesota and beyond. Through advocacy, education, and services, Someplace Safe has assisted victims and survivors of crime, families, and communities for the past 40 years. The agency provides high quality advocacy and supportive services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, exploitation, harassment, stalking, elder abuse, and other crimes. Approximately 4,000 individuals are provided services at Someplace Safe each year.
Ashley Zach, Director of Development stated, “ Someplace Safe is excited to partner with the NorthStar Knights for the ‘Stop Domestic Violence’ Jersey Auction on February 17th and 18th. We are looking forward to this event, which is taking place during Someplace Safe’s 40th Anniversary year. We truly appreciate the efforts of the NorthStar Knights in raising awareness and support to end domestic violence. Theses inspiring young men are working to create a safer community for us all!”
More about Raymond Garcia: Raymond Garcia is originally from Clovis NM and is the youngest of 4 siblings. He had a very difficult childhood that was filled with verbal, physical and mental violence which was primarily caused by his alcoholic father. When Raymond was 9, his mother separated from his father and in retaliation his father threatened to kill Raymond’s 13 year old sister and actually followed through by shooting her 3 times. His sister survived but remains permanently disabled and his father was sentenced to 36 years in prison. By the time Raymond was 12, he was living on the streets associating with gang members, using drugs and alcohol, and committing crimes. He has spent most of his adult life in and out of jail and struggled with drug and alcohol addictions. In 2013 at age 32, Raymond was homeless and living in a shelter in Bakersfield, CA, when he met and befriended current NorthStar Knights head coach, John Olver. Coach Olver had this statement “ To say that Raymond Garcia has had a difficult childhood would be a huge understatement. Domestic violence has placed him on a destructive path for most of his life. But he has overcome his past and is now a devout follower of Jesus Christ. He has transformed himself and his life. Raymond has been offered an amazing job opportunity and vocational training here in Alexandria, MN. We are all excited to play a role in helping Raymond, his wife, and 2 sons to relocate from Lubbock, TX to Alexandria so that they can begin a new chapter of their lives!”
For additional information please contact:
John Olver
Phone: 515-537-0059
Email: [email protected]