Game on for good cause at Centre

By John Kovach

A hockey fundraiser for a former SteelHound is set this afternoon.

YOUNGSTOWN — A big turnout is hoped for today at the Jason Baird Fundraiser at the Chevrolet Centre to help the former Youngstown SteelHounds player who was severely burned in an accident this summer.

The fundraiser will consist of an exhibition hockey game between former NHL and minor league players at 3 p.m., and a Mahoning Valley Phantoms’ intra-squad game at 2 p.m., plus live and silent auctions.

Doors will open at 1 p.m. and tickets will be on sale at the gate at $15 for adults and $10 for children.

All income from the fundraiser will go to help Baird, 27, who was burned over 60 percent of his body when a lawnmower he was driving exploded July 17 while he was working for a landscaping company in Austintown.

He is recovering at the Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Center.

Baird and his wife, Bethany, have three children.

Kevin Kaminski, former SteelHounds’ coach, has helped organizational efforts for the fundraiser along with Cindy Piedra, president of the SteelHounds’ Booster Club.

Donations have been made by the Chevrolet Centre for use of the arena, staff support and free parking.

Jordan Klucinec, owner of the Draught House, has donated $3,500 to pay for the ice.

Piedra said that numerous items have been collected for auctions.

In addition, an account has been opened in Baird’s name at Huntington Bank, where the public may deposit funds to help Baird and his family defray medical or any other expenses while he is hospitalized and unable to work.

Deposits may be made at any Huntington Bank branch in the Jason Baird account by mail or in person. Checks should be made out to Jason Baird.

kovach@vindy.com