Charlotte, NC – This week, the Carolina Panthers will raise funds and awareness for The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs as part of the NFL’s virtual “Draft-A-Thon,” a three-day virtual fundraiser to support those impacted by COVID-19. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, The Salvation Army has been on the front lines serving North and South Carolina’s most vulnerable populations who are more susceptible to the health and economic risks of the crisis.
Panthers fans from across the country are encouraged to donate April 23-25 at NFL.com/relief to support The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs. There is also a text-to-donate option. As the nation’s largest social service organization, with more than 7,600 service locations across the country and 41 Boys & Girls Clubs in the Carolinas, The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to meet human need amid this crisis and in the coming weeks, months and potentially years.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club’s children and youth programs have been adapted to meet the physical distancing and stay at home requirements during the pandemic while serving the educational, emotional, and physical needs of children and youth.
The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs are hosting online arts and crafts lessons, reading time, tutoring, exercise programs, virtual field trips, and STEM activities for ALL children. (do not have to be a Club member)
Salvation Army employees and volunteers are distributing activity kits, books, and backpacks of food to children in need.
The Salvation Army is offering onsite programming for the children of first responders at select sites.
“The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of North & South Carolina is honored to be one of the charities selected for the 2020 Draft-A-Thon,” said Colonel Jim Arrowood, divisional leader of The Salvation Army of the Carolinas. “As the full impact of this crisis is felt by the people in the Carolinas, The Salvation Army Clubs will continue to meet need in His name for anyone in need of our services, but we need public support to do so. Whether you cheer for the Panthers from right here in Charlotte or from across the Carolinas, we hope you will join our team of staff and volunteers in the Fight for Good.”
The Salvation Army is one of six national service organizations selected by the National Football League Foundation to benefit from the virtual fundraiser. The others are American Red Cross, CDC Foundation, Feeding America, Meals on Wheels and United Way. All 32 NFL clubs have selected one or more of these organizations’ local branches to receive a portion of the funding. Collectively, the NFL family has donated more than $50 million to various COVID-19 outreach efforts.
To learn more about The Salvation Army’s efforts in your community, visit salarmy.us/covid.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter: @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood