After an over four-year absence, ‘Purple Puck Night’ is back to raise money and awareness for cancer while sharing stories from families affected by the disease.
A trio of charities in Sideline Cancer, Easter for Eli, and the Mario Lemieux Foundation all came together for Sunday’s Penn State Altoona versus Franklin and Marshall hockey game.
The inaugural year for the event was 2018, but after the second year in 2019 the event got cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first time the event is being held since.
Organizers said the Penn State Altoona players were pushing to bring the event back even though most of them were not even on the team the last time the event was held.
“It’s an absolute privilege to be here, Without everyone here we wouldn’t be able to do it and it’s a privilege to raise money for the families and be able to play in front of the crowd.”
Besides raising money for the three charities, families affected by cancer got to tell their story and walk onto the ice with the players before the game.
“It’s really emotional, When you hear these family’s stories is when it really hits home.”
Money was raised by collecting donations, selling t-shirts, and with a raffle that included a signed Mario Lemieux jersey.
“A tremendous outpouring is what we’re seeing here today so I really can’t even equate it to dollars, it really comes from the heart.”
