(RAPID CITY, S.D.) – The Rapid City Rush, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, are excited to announce that the team’s annual Tip-A-Player event will take place on Tuesday, March 14 at Firehouse Brewing Co. and Que Pasa Cantina from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

“Tip-A-Player is a highlight for us every single year,” Rush President Todd Mackin said. “This is something that our players love to be a part of and we are proud to have them side-by-side with the extraordinary Special Olympic athletes while we raise money for a great cause.”

The Rush are teaming up with both the Rapid City Flame and, for the first time, the Rapid City Storm for the Tip-A-Player event. The entire Rush roster will participate in the event, with half of the team stationed at Firehouse and the other half at Que Pasa. Players will be partnered with a Special Olympian and a server, and the trios will serve tables together during the dinner rush. All the tips given at both restaurants during the time of the event will be donated in their entirety to Rapid City Flame and Rapid City Storm.

“The Tip-A-Player fundraiser is especially meaningful for our athletes because it connects them with the Rapid City Rush players, who are outstanding athletes in our community,” said Jack Lynass, President and CEO of Black Hills Community Bank. Lynass serves as the Chair of Rapid City Special Olympics Flame and on the board for South Dakota Special Olympics.

Tip-A-Player has been running since 2011 and has raised over $48,000 for the Rapid City Flame since its inception. In addition to including the Rapid City Storm for the first time this year, the event moves to a new location with Firehouse and Que Pasa.

“We have participated in several great and successful events with the Rush organization in the past and we are extremely grateful and excited to be hosting the Tip-A-Player event this year,” said Firehouse Brewing Co. Chief Operating Officer Rob Keighron. “Bringing Special Olympics athletes, Rush players and our Firehouse and Que Pasa staffs together will make for a fun and rewarding evening for all.”

The Rush will also be raffling game jerseys at each location throughout Tip-A-Player. All the proceeds from those raffles will go directly back to the Special Olympics.

“On behalf of the all-volunteer Flame organization, we sincerely appreciate the support we have received from the Rush now and in years past,” said Lynass. “These contributions help to provide events for our athletes year-round, whether it’s alpine skiing to our newest sport, Bocce ball.” 

Rush social media channels will inform which players will be working at which restaurants in the lead up to the event. For more information about Tip-A-Player, contact the Rush office at (605) 716-7825.

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