SPRINGFIELD – Both the Springfield Falcons and Springfield Armor have announced fund-raising efforts on behalf of this week’s tornado victims – and they are seeking the assistance of their fans.

On Friday, the Falcons announced that the team has donated $2,500 to the Pioneer Valley chapter of the American Red Cross. In addition, majority owner Charlie Pompea made a personal donation of $5,000.

“The Falcons organization wants to do as much as they can to assist in the relief efforts in all our surrounding communities,” Falcons president and general manager Bruce Landon said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families affected and we will continue to assist as our community continues to rally together at a time of need.”

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, the Falcons will set up a drop-off area in front of the team offices on Falcon Way to collect clothing, blankets or cash to benefit the Red Cross Tornado Relief Fund of Western Massachusetts. Accepting donations will be team mascot Screech. Anyone making a donation Saturday will receive a ticket voucher good for any Sunday home game during the 2011-12 season.

Meanwhile, the Armor on Friday began an online auction to benefit tornado victims. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Red Cross to assist in relief efforts, said Eli Pearlstein, director of marketing and public relations.

“We want to make sure that we support Springfield and the surrounding communities in this time of need,” general manager Alex Schwerin said in a statement. “The cleanup and rebuilding process will be a lengthy one, but we’re 100 percent committed to supporting the ongoing relief efforts here in any way we can.”

Among the items being auctioned off are game-worn Armor basketball shorts, a pair of game-worn shoes autographed by Scottie Reynolds, a team jersey autographed by all members of the 2010-2011 squad, a team hat signed by coach Dee Brown, and other memorabilia. The New Jersey Nets, the Armor’s exclusive NBA affiliate, have contributed a Brook Lopez autographed basketball shoe, while the NBA has provided a basketball signed by Dikembe Mutombo.

Pearlstein told The Republican the team hopes to work with the NBA on additional fund-raising efforts.

“We’re trying to figure out as many things as we can to help,” he said.

The auction, which began Friday and will run through 5 p.m. June 17, is being conducted at http://bit.ly/ArmorAuction, hosted by the online charitable site 32auctions. All major credit cards will be accepted through the secure PayPal system. People also can donate cash.

The Armor will also be donating a percentage of season ticket proceeds to further benefit disaster relief efforts. Twenty-five percent of the value of any season ticket purchased by June 17 will go to the Red Cross. The team’s no money down season ticket payment option has been extended to June 17.