Foundations’ gift benefits Charlotte Boys & Girls Club

The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Kevin Harvick Foundation and Group 1001 joined The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Feb. 26 to unveil a multisport playing field that will provide youth with a safe place to learn, play and compete.

Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Milton Road Boys & Girls Club included Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Cup champion and Kevin Harvick Foundation co-founder; Melissa Jacobs, vice president, sponsorships, Group 1001, an insurance holding company that partners in the revitalization of community sports fields across the country; and Steve Salem, president and CEO of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.

"We are so grateful to have another opportunity to partner with the Kevin Harvick Foundation and Group 1001 to open another successful Youth Development Park," said Cal Ripken Jr., a Baseball Hall of Fame member and vice chairman of the Ripken Sr. Foundation. "We can't wait to see the kids and local community in Charlotte benefit from the positive impact on the field and off of the field as well."

The 52,000-square-foot multi-sport playing field is lined for youth baseball, softball and soccer. The facility includes a synthetic turf playing surface, digital scoreboard, backstop, dugouts, foul poles, bleachers and sidewalks.

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club will manage and maintain the field and work closely with the Ripken Foundation to create programs to engage at-risk young people. The programs will address such youth development needs as character development, health and physical education, and culture and history.

"Being active and playing sports can teach kids so many great and valuable lessons," Harvick said. "Thank you to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and Group 1001 for their hard work. This park is a great investment in the community, and it will be in great hands with The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club."

"Growing up and playing a number of sports, athletic facilities were the backdrop to where I learned a number of vital life lessons and skills that set me up for success later in life," said Dan Towriss, CEO of Group1001.

"Group 1001 is committed to helping the next generation in Charlotte to learn the same lessons and to live healthier and happy lives. We are so thrilled that by teaming up with the Ripken Sr. Foundation, we are able to bring this beautiful field to life."