Fourth Annual Fundraiser Starts Saturday Night

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The Grand Rapids Griffins and Comcast will present The Great Skate, a 24-hour skating marathon at the Rosa Parks Ice Rink in downtown Grand Rapids, from 11 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 14, until 11 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15. During this fourth annual event, every Griffins player and coach will take a turn skating with fans for at least one hour around the clock to raise money for the Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Foundation.

Participants will be able to warm themselves around fire pits and inside a warming tent, where theyll enjoy coffee, hot chocolate and other refreshments, compliments of Starbucks and Meijer.

There is no fee to participate in The Great Skate, but fans are encouraged to make a donation of any amount to the Griffins Youth Foundation. Fans can have a photo taken with their favorite player and purchase an autographed copy for just $5, and Great Skate stocking hats will be available.

The event will also feature a raffle that will include a Griffins jersey signed by every player and coach, along with two items autographed by Griffins alumni: a Hugo Boisvert jersey from the Duisburg (Germany) Foxes, and a photo of Florida Panthers defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski.

The mission of the Griffins Youth Foundation is to expand the opportunities for participation in ice skating and related sports and activities, and to encourage academic excellence, community involvement and healthy lifestyles among the youth of West Michigan. The lineup of skaters is as follows (subject to change):

SATURDAY, JAN. 14
11 p.m.-Midnight: Eric Manlow

SUNDAY, JAN. 15

Midnight-1 a.m.: Matt Ellis
1-2 a.m.: Jimmy Howard
2-4 a.m.: Greg Ireland
4-6 a.m.: Jim Paek
6-7 a.m.: Nick Martens
7-8 a.m.: Ryan Oulahen
8-9 a.m.: Clay Wilson
9-10 a.m.: Travis Richards
10-11 a.m.: Nate DiCasmirro
11 a.m.-Noon: Kent McDonell
Noon-1 p.m.: Eric Himelfarb
1-2 p.m.: Bryan Helmer
2-3 p.m.: Joey MacDonald
3-4 p.m.: Darryl Bootland
4-5 p.m.: Greg Amadio
5-6 p.m.: Donald MacLean
6-7 p.m.: Tomas Kopecky, Brad Thompson
7-8 p.m.: Jiri Hudler
8-9 p.m.: Derek Meech
9-10 p.m.: Kyle Quincey
10-11 p.m.: Valtteri Filppula