SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.,
Aug. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/
-- The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation's Sports Matter
program today announced a five-year, $500,000 commitment to Little League®
Baseball and Softball, in support of its local districts and
leagues across the country. The Foundation supports the
philanthropic work of DICK'S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS), the
largest U.S.-based, full-line omni-channel sporting goods retailer.
The funds will help provide facility improvements, uniforms, and
equipment to local Little League programs in need.
"It's our mission to provide more young athletes with the
opportunity to play, learn and benefit from sports, including the
great games of baseball and softball," said Lauren Hobart, President of DICK'S Sporting
Goods and The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation. "We know sports
teach kids valuable lessons they carry with them through life, and
are thrilled this partnership will help more kids play, who
otherwise may not have the resources to do so."
The $500,000 commitment from The
DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation is another aspect of the enduring
partnership between DICK'S and Little League. In 2017, DICK'S
established a partnership with Little League International as the
official and exclusive partner to provide technology services for
its districts and leagues through its DICK'S Team Sports HQ youth
sports platform.
The long-standing relationship between DICK'S and communities
comes to life in DICK'S latest advertising creative, which is
slated to debut today in a national broadcast on ESPN. The spot
portrays how DICK'S has been a proud supporter of youth sports
since 1948 in communities across the country and highlights its
commitment to Little League.
"We are truly grateful to DICK'S and its Foundation for their
belief in the Little League mission and strong support of local
Little League® programs," said Stephen D.
Keener, Little League President and Chief Executive Officer.
"This partnership not only helps more children enjoy the game and
its many benefits, but also provides free digital resources through
DICK'S Team Sports HQ for our volunteer coaches and league
administrators throughout the season so they can focus on what's
most important, coaching and developing young children."
Since 2014, DICK'S and The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation have
pledged more than $50 million through
the Sports Matter program to support teams in need, while raising
money and awareness for the youth sports funding crisis. Billions
of dollars have been cut from youth sports budgets in recent years
and nearly 60 percent of children must now pay to play.
For more information on Sports Matter and to support
opportunities through The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation, please
visit sportsmatter.org.
About The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation
The DICK'S
Sporting Goods Foundation is an exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit
corporation with a mission to inspire and enable sports
participation. It was created by DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.
as a private corporate foundation to support DICK'S charitable and
philanthropic activities.
Contact: DICK'S Sporting Goods – press@dcsg.com
About Little League®
Founded in 1939,
Little League® Baseball and Softball is the world's
largest organized youth sports program, with nearly 2.4 million
players and one million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and
more than 80 other countries. During its nearly 80 years of
existence, Little League has seen more than 40 million honored
graduates, including political leaders, professional athletes,
award-winning artists, and a variety of other influential members
of society. Each year, millions of people follow the hard work,
dedication, and sportsmanship that Little Leaguers®
display at our seven baseball and softball World Series events, the
premier tournaments in youth sports. For more information, visit
LittleLeague.org.
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