Courtesy photo The Alpena 45ers pose for a photo after a fundraiser during the Christmas season. Tonight, the team, and the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce are hosting a fundraiser during the hockey game that will support those impacted from the large fire in Alpena on Wednesday.

ALPENA – The Alpena 45ers are teaming up with the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce for a Fire Relief Fundraiser, during their home game tonight against the St. Ignace Saints; puck drop is at 7 p.m.

Myles Grix, owner of the Alpena 45ers, explained how the fundraiser became a reality and what inspired him to get involved.

“When things like this happen, I get inspired to take action” Grix said, “I immediately want to do all that I can.”

Grix said he reached out to those impacted by Wednesday’s fire to offer well wishes and see if here was anything he could do.

“I reached out immediately after the fire, it’s devastating,” Grix said. “I am not from here, but this is home, and I know what those places meant to the community.”

At the game there will be a donation bucket at the entry table. Additionally, 50% of all beer mug and merchandise sales will go to the fire relief fundraiser.

“We have done fundraisers in the past, if there is a way I can help, I must do something, that’s how my brain works,” Grix said.

The fundraising event is being organized with the help of the Alpena Chamber of Commerce. Paige Fisher, president and CEO of the Chamber, shared how the partnership came together.

“After Wednesday’s situation we definitely wanted to dive in and see how we could help,” Fisher said. “We were both in contact with Brian Peterson, owner of the Sports Page Lounge, to find out exactly how we could do that.”

Fisher is hopeful Alpena will do what it usually does in difficult times, show up when our neighbors need us the most.

“Hopefully we all show up,” Fisher said. “This is what Alpena is for, we are here to be a community, and band together and support each other.”

Fisher and Grix both agree, what better way to bring Alpena together and show up for those who need us, than by meeting at the ice rink.

“Why not do it at the rink and enjoy some hockey while we do it,” Fisher said.

This will likely be the first of many fundraisers for those impacted by the fire, others are in the early stages of planning.

“We are working on other fundraising efforts, we are still in the process of figuring that out, but this is definitely a good kick starter,” Fisher added.