Huntsville Havoc celebrate 20th annual Melissa George Night

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Every year, the Huntsville Havoc hosts Melissa George Night, a fundraiser benefitting babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

“We are so overwhelmed by the love and the kindness of all these people,” Amy George said. “This has been going on for 20 years, and every year it’s like this.”

Amy and Chris George started the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund in 2005 after Melissa, one of their twin daughters, died when she was born 14 weeks early.

Their other twin daughter, Ann Catherine, spent 68 days in the NICU.

Last year’s Melissa George night raised more than $1 million.

“It’s incredible to be able to sustain something for this long, and we’re looking forward to that next million,” Chris George said.

There were many ways for people to donate, including an auction to win special jerseys worn during play.

Amy George says the support they get from Havoc fans is special.

“It’s humbling,” Amy George said. “And it’s just— our hearts are just filled with so much gratitude.”

The game keeps bringing people back who want to support NICU babies.

“These are not the only jerseys we own. We have many from over the years. It’s a great cause, and even when we don’t get a jersey, we make donations,” longtime supporter Becky Crownober said.

Huntsville Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care unit cares for more than 1,200 babies each year.

According to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, nearly all of the equipment in the NICU has been funded by the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund, reaching more than 20,000 babies over two decades.

“There’ll be families that this will be the only hockey game they come to all year. And it’s because their family, their child may have been in the nicu and they’ve been impacted directly by this game,” Chris George said.

While the total amount of money raised tonight hasn’t been announced yet, we’ll keep you updated here once those details are made available.

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