Thunder, Bank of the West Team Up for Pucks and Tux Gala

Wichita, KS (Feb. 1st) - The Wichita Thunder, proud member of the ECHL and powered by Toyota, are excited to announce that they have partnered with Bank of the West and Accent Bridal and Tux to present the first-ever Pucks and Tux Black Tie Gala to help benefit the Kansas Children's Service League. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 23rd at the Wichita Marriott located at Kellogg and Webb Road. Susan Peters of KAKE TV/Susan's Kids will be the MC for the event.

Kansas Children's Service League (KCSL) is a statewide not-for-profit agency with over 120 years of experience keeping kids safe and giving its best to Kansas kids. KCSL serves more than 40,000 children and their families each year through a variety of community-based and child abuse prevention programs. In Sedgwick County alone, KCSL offers over 20 services for families in the Wichita area that focus on preventing child abuse, strengthening families and empowering parents and youth. KCSL's mission is to protect and promote the well-being of children.

"We are truly honored to be selected as the first beneficiary of the Wichita Thunder's Pucks and Tux Gala," said KCSL President/CEO Dona Booe. "We strive to make a difference in our community everyday through the work that we do, and the support we'll receive from this event will allow us to continue to serve Wichita children and families effectively."

Proceeds from the Pucks and Tux Gala will help support KCSL's Wichita-area prevention and education programs like Crisis Nursery, Outpatient Mental Health services for children and families, home visitation program Healthy Families and Parent Education.

"Recognizing the importance of KCSL programs and resources is crucial to successful, healthy outcomes for at-risk children and families in the Wichita area," Booe continued. "With support from the Wichita Thunder and Bank of the West, we can serve more families and help create a better community for all."

The event is invitation only and the proceeds will be help benefit this great cause. Cost of the event is $100 per person or businesses can buy a table for $800. There will be a cocktail hour followed by a dinner and live auction.

Thunder players will wear this special Tuxedo Jersey on Saturday, February 13th and they will be auctioned off at the event.

For more information, please contact Brittany Bynum or Jason Mals at the Wichita Thunder office.

The Thunder returns home this Friday to host the Colorado Eagles at 7:05 p.m. Friday is Go Red Night, benefiting the American Heart Association.

Individual tickets for all games are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at the INTRUST Arena Box office, by calling 855-755-SEAT or go online at www.selectaseat.com.

Follow along with us on our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter (@wichita_thunder), Snapchat (wichthunder), Instagram (Wichita_Thunder) and LinkedIn, presented by Wichita Brewing Company.

About the ECHLThe ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states and has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 20 states and one Canadian province for its 27th season in 2014-15. There have been 541 players who have started their career in the ECHL have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 29 who made their NHL debuts in the 2013-14 season. The ECHL had affiliations with 26 of the 30 NHL teams in 2013-14, marking the 17th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

-Thunder-