Photo - Last season, the Whalers joined forces with 104.3FM WOMC in a Radiothon to support Gleaners Food Bank.  From left, Jim Johnson (WOMC mid-day host), Jerry Brisson of Gleaners, Whalers Director of Marketing Denise Ronayne, WOMC morning personality Stacey Duford, Shooter, Plymouth Whalers Mitchell Heard and Dylan MacDonald, WOMC morning personalities Bobby Mitchell and Chuck Gaidica.  Photo by John Karasinski.

PLYMOUTH – Although the Plymouth Whalers aren’t playing on the ice right now, they still find ways to connect with the community.

Over the last 12 months, the Whalers and staff donated time, merchandise, and other resources to over 400 different charitable events.  That’s a recent team record for any given 12-month period.

The donations can be something as simple as donating four tickets for a hockey team’s annual golf outing, to the donation of 35 Whalers backpacks to the Miracle League of Plymouth (for a banquet on June 30), to the Whalers annual appearance at Wednesday’s Good Morning Fourth of July Parade in Plymouth.

No matter if the donation (or event) is big or small, all elements point in a positive direction.

“The truth is, we’re happy to help out,” admitted Pete Krupsky, Plymouth Director of Community Relations. “We’ve made a conscious effort to reach out in the community and over the years, most of the events or fundraisers are local – within a 40-50 mile radius of Plymouth.  Our donation may be a small part of a fundraiser, but it’s a win-win scenario for everyone involved.”

The Whalers receive plenty of letters of support.  Here are some examples:

“Thank you for supporting On My Own of Michigan’s Charity Golf Outing! Your participation in our golf outing helped raise over $30,000. On My Own of Michigan’s mission of helping adults with developmental disabilities live independently has been strengthened because of your generosity and support.

On behalf of the members, families, Board of Trustees and staff of On My Own of Michigan, we thank you very much for supporting us….

Lesley Scharfenberg

Special Events/Fundraising Manager

On My Own of Michigan

Troy, MI

Hello!  Thank you so much for you kind and generous donation.  Because of you, our Auction was a great success and you helped raise more than $15,000!  Thanks to the funds you helped us earn, our PTA is able to continue supporting enriching programs such as, assemblies, family nights, playground equipment, classroom supplies, field trips and scholarships for families who are unable to pay for camps and field trips….

Most Respectfully,

Kurtz Elementary PTA

Milford Township, MI

Summer is the time of year for walks for Breast Cancer.  The Whalers have supported specific individuals and groups in their efforts for several years:

Dear Plymouth Whalers, Thank you for another generous donation to my silent auction for the Komen 3-Day Walk for The Cure! I really appreciate your continued efforts in the fight against Breast Cancer.

With a house full of hockey players, we are all big Whalers fans.  I know the Whalers tickets will be very popular among all of the other hockey parents at the event.

Thank You!

Erika McKee

Novi, MI

Dear Friends:

On behalf of the Oakwood Healthcare Foundation, I would like to thank you for your contribution of four tickets to a Plymouth Whalers game in the 2012-13 season to the Women’s Healthcare Classic Auction.  With your support, we were able raise over $400,000 for the event.  The proceeds from the Women’s Healthcare Classic cent will support women’s breast cancer at Oakwood and contribute to the Rose Fund, which ensures treatment, follow up care and support to underinsured and uninsured patients diagnosed each year through Oakwood’s breast care programs….

Most sincerely,

Carla O’Malley, Executive Director and President

Oakwood Healthcare Foundation

Dearborn, MI

It’s easy to request a donation for an event.  Simply go online to www.plymouthwhalers.com, go to the Community section of the website on the front page and click on the link “Donations.”  From there, fill out the form and email it to Pete Krupsky at peterk@plymouthwhalers.com, or FAX the request to (734) 453-4201.

We’re happy to help.