For the third consecutive season and the most successful campaign yet, Coca-Cola and Harris Teeter teamed up with NC State football to collect new toys and donations throughout the 2009 football season to benefit the local U.S. Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots campaign.
At the NC State vs. Clemson football game on Saturday, November 14th, fans contributed over $15,500 in cash and donated over 4,000 new toys to give to Toys for Tots. In addition to the fans’ contributions, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Ragland, an Assistant Marine Officer Instructor with NC State’s Navy ROTC, participated in a promotion where Coca-Cola donated $250 for each time he successfully threw a football through a target. With 11 completions Staff Sgt. Ragland was able to add another $2,750 donated to Toys for Tots on Saturday.
Combine November 14th’s contributions with Coca-Cola’s donation of $500 for each of the Wolfpack’s 43 touchdowns scored through the Clemson game this season (totaling $21,500) and the impact to the local Toys for Tots campaign was just under $40,000. On his Monday night radio show, Coach O’Brien announced that he would personally contribute the remaining funds to get this year’s campaign to the $40,000 mark.
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You Can Still Help the Wolfpack with Their Toys for Tots Campaign:
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In three short years, this partnership between NC State Football, Coca Cola and Harris Teeter has raised over $100,000 in cash donations and collected more than 10,000 toys.
“I want to thank all of the fans who contributed to this campaign at the game this past Saturday. We are fortunate to have a giving and passionate fan base that has embraced this campaign and made it bigger and better with each season. We also extend our thanks to Coca Cola and Harris Teeter for their tremendous support of the program,” said Wolfpack Head Coach and Toys for Tots national board member Tom O’Brien.
In December, a group of Wolfpack football players will purchase toys for needy children using a portion of the funds raised by this program. These toys will benefit children in need throughout the Triangle community.
Fans who did not attend the game can still make a donation to the Wolfpack’s Coca-Cola Toys for Tots campaign by dropping off a new toy at any Triangle area Harris Teeter location through November 30th. Look for the toy bin next to the Coca-Cola display featuring Coach O’Brien.
Finally, in partnership with Coach O’Brien and 99.9 FM The Fan, fans can further support the US Marines Corps Toys for Tots program by attending “An Evening with Coach Tom O’Brien” on December 10th. This exclusive event includes a four course gourmet meal at Rey’s restaurant in Cary and both live and silent auctions. Tables are available for $500, individual tickets are being sold for $150. All proceeds from the evening events will benefit the local Toys for Tots campaign. Click here for more details about this exclusive one time event.
Thanks to WSM’s Kristi Butler for this capcom story.
