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Wolfpack Football Announces Charitable Initiative to Benefit Toys for Tots
Coca-Cola and Harris Teeter to Partner with Team for Toy Drive
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NC State head football coach Tom O’Brien expects his players to be champions in the classroom, in the community and on the football field. As part of that effort, the NC State football program announced today that it will be partnering with Coca-Cola and Harris Teeter to collect new toys and donations throughout the 2007 football season to benefit the U.S. Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots campaign. First as a Marine officer and now as a member of the national board for Toys for Tots, Coach Tom O’Brien has seen first-hand how this toy drive can make an impact in the lives of children.
“Since 1947, U.S. Marines have been looking after America’s needy children at Christmas through their Toys for Tots program,” O’Brien said. “By distributing shiny new toys, Marines deliver a message of hope and let children know that someone cares.”
The initiative kicked off last weekend with the season-opening game against Central Florida on Sat, Sept 1st. During each game this season, Coca-Cola will donate $500 to the NC State/Toys for Tots Fund for every touchdown the Wolfpack scores. At the conclusion of the season, representatives from the Wolfpack football program will use the funds to purchase toys that will be donated to Toys for Tots and distributed to needy children.
“Coca-Cola and NCSU have been partners for many years,” said James Lee, Marketing Director of Promotions, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Consolidated. “We couldn’t be happier to join them for this great cause and we’re excited to offer a way for Wolfpack fans to join us in making a difference to kids in our community.”
Coca Cola will also join with Harris Teeter throughout the Triangle to set up drop-off locations for fans to donate toys. From November 5 – December 10, Toys for Tots/Coca-Cola displays with toy-donation bins will be located in 30 Raleigh-area Harris Teeter locations. Fans can drop off new toys to any of the participating Harris Teeter locations.
“We are very excited to be partnering with NC State, Coca-Cola and Toys For Tots” said Jerry Clontz, Harris Teeter’s Region Vice President for Raleigh stores. “I know that our customers will be happy to participate in such a great cause at holiday time.”
Football fans in the Triangle will have an additional opportunity to donate to the cause when NC State hosts UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, November 10. A toy drive will take place in the Wolfpack Fan Zone, located in front of the RBC Center. Coca-Cola and Toys for Tots representatives will be on hand to collect toys in the Wolfpack Fan Zone for 3-hours prior to kickoff. Fans donating a new toy at the Fan Zone on game day will also receive a special offer courtesy of Coca-Cola.
Retired Marine Corps Major Bill Grein, Vice President of Marketing & Development for the Toys for Tots Foundation on board Marine Base Quantico, Virginia welcomes the support of the Wolfpack nation.
“The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is very proud of fellow Marine, Coach Tom O’Brien, as he prepares to lead NC State to the next plateau of football greatness,” Grein said. “We also want to thank the Wolfpack fans, Coca-Cola and Harris Teeter for their generous and tremendous support of our 2007 Toys for Tots Campaign. With their assistance we will fulfill the Christmas dreams of thousands of additional underprivileged children who otherwise might be overlooked.”
More details about the NC State football/Coca-Cola Toys for Tots campaign will be posted throughout the season on NC State Athletic’s official website, www.gopack.com.
Thanks to WSM’s Brian Asbill for this capcom story & photo.
