Photo provided by Caleb Beers Alpena 45ers player and City of Alpena firefighter Brett Ciupka and Sports Page owner Brian Peterson participated in an honorary puck drop ceremony before Saturday’s game.

ALPENA – The Alpena 45ers, with the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, held a fire relief fundraiser during the hockey team’s 7-2 victory over the St. Ignace Saints on Saturday.

A portion of the proceeds raised will go to those impacted by the fire on Wednesday in Alpena that destroyed several businesses and apartments..

Alpena 45ers forward Brett Ciupka is also a member of the Alpena Fire Department. Ciupka was on scene for last week’s fire and participated in an honorary puck drop ceremony prior to the game.

Although the final tally for funds raised is still being calculated, initial feedback indicates Alpena answered the call for help. Alpena Chamber President Paige Fisher takes about the fundraising effort.

“This fundraiser went beyond hockey, it was about standing beside our local businesses during a difficult moment,” Fisher said. “The support from fans, the 45ers organization, and the broader community sent a clear message: these businesses are not facing recovery alone.”

Lucky Rabbit Tattoo was one of those businesses affected by the fire. Co-Owner, Sasha Bernard, expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in the fundraising event.

“We can’t thank our community enough,” Bernard said. “Thank you to the Chamber and the 45ers organization for your support, it means the absolute world to us.”

To have those impacted by the fire all together with the community that supports them produced a special environment Saturday night in Alpena.

Janis Toland of the Pampered Paw expressed what it meant to her to have that support.

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the way Alpena showed up last night,” Toland said. “Standing next to others who are going through the same season, surrounded by people who wish us well, was another reminder that I am not dealing with this alone.”

The owner of the 45ers, Myles Grix, expressed his appreciation for the way Alpena showed up when called upon.

“I’m just so proud of our community and the way they came together to help,” Grix said. “The players definitely felt the passion and came together to put on a great show for everyone there.”

The atmosphere inside Northern Lights Arena on Saturday was electric, and Grix is hoping that it will continue for the remainder of their season.

“Hopefully we can have that same atmosphere the rest of the season and into the playoffs,” Grix said.

The next home game for the 45ers is scheduled for Feb. 21, against Cheboygan, puck-drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.