Watertown Lakers Kick Off 7th Annual “Stick It to Cancer” Weekend
- Steve Jurrens
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown Lakers are turning the ice pink this weekend as they host the 7th Annual “Stick It to Cancer” fundraiser. The event, which has become a staple of the local hockey season, combines high-energy competition with a mission to support families battling cancer in the community.
The fundraiser was originally launched seven years ago by Jenny Wyckoff and has since grown into a massive community effort. This year’s proceeds will benefit the Codington County Cares Cancer Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing financial relief to local patients.
A Mission of Support
Tori Simon, a two-time breast cancer survivor and a key figure in Codington County Cares, shared the deeply personal inspiration behind the foundation.
“I looked around the room when I was 25 years old, getting chemo, wondering why I had cancer,” Simon shared. “But then you see a single mom with three kids in school, and you wonder how they are worrying about their utility bills while fighting for their lives. That’s why we do this.”
For two decades, the foundation has provided everything from gas cards for treatment travel to assistance with funeral expenses, ensuring that no one in the community fights alone.
Weekend Highlights
The “Stick It to Cancer” event features a jam-packed schedule of games and activities for fans of all ages:
· Honorary Puck Drops: Ceremonies will take place Saturday to honor those affected by cancer, with a Girls Varsity drop at 1:30 PM, and a Boys Varsity drop at 7:30 PM.
· Luminaria Ceremony: In a moving tribute, the rink lights will be dimmed as players skate in honor of loved ones, accompanied by glowing luminarias on the ice.
· Inflatable Costume Race: In a lighter moment of the weekend, a unicorn, dinosaur, shark, and hippo (in a tutu) will race across the ice. Fans can participate in a “50/50 prediction draw” by placing their tickets in the bucket of the character they think will win.
· Silent Auction & Raffles: The lobby will be filled with raffle baskets and silent auction items, including nostalgic photos and memorabilia for former Laker championship players.
· Meet the Lakers: Following the Boys Varsity game on Saturday night, fans can meet players from several divisions for autographs and photos.
How to Attend
Games run all weekend at the Watertown arena, starting Friday evening and continuing through Sunday.
· Saturday: A full slate of games from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM across both sheets of ice.
· Sunday: “Big/Little” event in the afternoon, where younger Mite and Squirt players are paired with Varsity mentors.
For a full schedule of games and a list of auction items, visit the Watertown Lakers Facebook page or their official website at www.watertownlakers.org.
