GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After partnering with the statewide law firm of Garan Lucow Miller, P.C. and renewing a community relations initiative that originated in 2004, the Grand Rapids Griffins have raised nearly $7,000 for downtown missions over the last two months through their “Pucks for Plates” program.

At select Griffins home games, as well as at Dick’s Sporting Goods and other locations throughout the community, 60 boys from Grandville Boy Scout Troop 292 have sold more than 600 specially designed pucks autographed by Griffins players and Detroit Red Wings personalities. As of March 21, those sales had raised $6,573 for Guiding Light Mission, God’s Kitchen, Degage Ministries and Mel Trotter Ministries.

Pucks signed by Justin Abdelkader, Jimmy Howard, Darren McCarty, Aaron Downey, Darren Helm and Red Wings director of player development Jiri Fischer have proven the most popular, while pucks autographed by Detroit legend Steve Yzerman will go on sale soon. Fewer than 400 remain at a cost of $10 for Griffins-signed pucks and $20 for Red Wings-signed pucks, as the program nears its fundraising goal of $10,000 for downtown food pantries and kitchens.

In addition to keeping a portion of the sale proceeds for their fundraising efforts, the boy scouts are receiving special recognition for their sales. Garan Lucow Miller, P.C. underwrites the cost of the pucks and, with the Griffins, has provided incentives for the boy scouts, who receive Griffins tickets as rewards for their hard work. The top sellers are also eligible to receive Red Wings tickets, behind-the-scenes Griffins tours, and memorabilia such as a Griffins team-autographed helmet.

Based on the tremendous early success of the “Pucks for Plates” program, accomplished through the hard work of only several dozen scouts, the Griffins hope to expand the program next season to involve more scout troops and eventually evolve it into a major fundraiser for the downtown missions.