ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Casey’s has partnered with Gatorade to provide $60,000 in funding to three youth sports organizations in Knoxville, Kansas City and Oklahoma City through Gatorade’s Fuel Tomorrow initiative. The funding provides $20,000 to each of the organizations for equipment and resources to better serve youth in underserved communities.
According to Casey’s, the initiative is focused on helping everyone have equal opportunities to play sports by breaking down barriers in communities that need it most.
As part of the Fuel Tomorrow program, Casey’s and Gatorade are supporting the following organizations whose work is helping more young athletes realize their potential through the power of sports:
- RIVERSPORT Foundation – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Center City Youth Sports Program – Knoxville, Tennessee
- The Mattie Rhodes Center – Kansas City, Missouri
“Casey’s is proud to partner with Gatorade to ensure the athletes of tomorrow have a level playing field,” said Katie Petru, director of communications and community at Casey’s. “From purchasing necessary sports equipment to hiring new coaches, our combined resources are allowing these young athletes the chance to excel at their passions, and we couldn’t be happier to fuel a better tomorrow for these rising stars.”
“Gatorade and Casey’s share a passion for fueling the next generation and ensuring sports inclusivity,” said Melissa Miranda, CMO of PepsiCo Beverages North America, central division. “Each of these organizations were selected for their dedication to creating more equity and opportunity in sports in communities that need it most. We are thrilled to provide them with funding so they can continue to make a positive impact and help young people explore their unlimited potential.”
Meanwhile, Rutter’s Children’s Charities announced the launch of its “$100k for the Holidays” donation giveaway, where four local charities will receive $25,000 each.
“Through our $100k for the Holidays donations, we hope to make this season a little brighter for those in need,” said Chris Hartman, president of Rutter’s Children’s Charities. “We look forward to choosing four worthy charities and spreading the holiday cheer.”
The donation applications will be open through November 21. To qualify, the charity must have a focus on benefitting children, and be a 501(c)(3) organization. Winners will be contacted in December.
Also, Enmarket marked a decade of working with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light The Night campaign by announcing $1 million raised over a 10-year period.
Enmarket recently launched a company-wide initiative in September across Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina by encouraging its customers to donate at checkout to benefit LLS. The 2022 campaign in September raised more than $130,000 to help in the fight against blood cancers.
“Over the past 10 years, Enmarket’s customers have joined with us in raising more than $1 million to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” said Matt Clements, president of Enmarket. “That number alone cannot measure how much we appreciate our customers’ generosity in helping continue the fight against cancer.”
Light The Night is a series of fundraising campaigns benefiting LLS and its funding of innovative research and support for blood cancer patients.
“We are so grateful to Enmarket and their employees for their relentless support of LLS mission to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families,” said Amanda Yancey, LLS Georgia–South Carolina region executive director. “Light The Night is an event that celebrates everyone’s journey with cancer. It is inspiring to see Enmarket gather around their local communities to bring light to the darkness of cancer.”