Steele County Blades, Youth 1st Make Donation to Relay for Life

The Steele County Blades junior hockey team and Owatonna's Youth 1st organization presented a check to the Steele County Relay for Life last week.

The presentation was made during the Blades' season-ending banquet March 9 at the Holiday Inn of Owatonna. The money was raised during an early February game at the Four Seasons Centre in Owatonna.

The third annual PK-Strong, Stick it to Cancer night was held in conjunction with Federated Insurance night during a Blades game. The night honors Pete Kalan, the former Owatonna rink announcer who used to work at Federated. Kalan lost his battle to cancer February 9. A big crowd attended the game and participated in fundraising activities.

In a press release sent to KRFO radio, Youth 1st director Mark Arjes says, "fans bid on over 20 silent auction items that included hand-made items, baskets from local businesses and autographed items from the MN Wild, Twins and Timberwolves." Proceeds of $2,358 were raised and presented to the Steele County Relay for Life.

The 2017 relay is July 21 at the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna. The event celebrates those who have survived cancer and raises money for research. Teams of supporters will spend that night walking or running laps.

The Steele County Blades are a community partner with Youth 1st, whose mission is to "connect conduct, character and community to youth activity programs," Arjes said. The Blades just completed their fifth season, which was their most successful. They had their best record, and hosted and won their first-round playoff series.

Steele County Relay for Life representatives Mary Boettger, Joel Holst and Joel Born hold the donation check presented by the Steele County Blades and Youth 1st in the photo below.