NFL’s Panthers to partner with Carolinas Division Boys & Girls Clubs

By: Ed Boyce

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of North and South Carolina and the Carolina Panthers have announced a multi-year marketing partnership, underwritten by Transportation Insight, North America's leading supply chain management firm based in Hickory, North Carolina.

As part of the agreement, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of North and South Carolina become the presenting sponsor of the Carolina Panthers Kids Club. The Boys & Girls Clubs also receive promotional opportunities around the team's Keep Pounding Day, Football 101 event, and Play 60 Combine at Romare Bearden Park, among other promotional, experiential and hospitality, and fundraising opportunities.

"The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs cannot thank Transportation Insight enough for making this partnership a reality," said Wesley Sharpe, executive director of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of North and South Carolina. "The awareness that the Carolina Panthers can help bring our programs is unmatched, and the workforce development program will really benefit our club members. We believe when young people have access to quality opportunities that support workforce readiness, they are well-positioned for great futures."

In addition, the partnership creates a workforce development program for the club's children and youth. Prior to Panthers preseason and regular season home games, club members will tour Bank of America Stadium to learn about jobs from the box office to concessions to sports medicine and more. After the tour, club members will head to their seats to see the Panthers in action on the field.

The partnership supports the workforce development strategy of the Boys & Girls Clubs, which gives children a chance to explore careers, develops essential life skills and provides opportunities to learn and demonstrate job skills in a real-world work experience.