What happens when a company decides to make an investment in a
community? We’re not talking about slapping
a logo on the back of a couple of team’s shirts or sponsoring a fence sign for
a season or two. When a company decides
to partner with an organization, build a long-term relationship, align
their resources with the needs of the organization and adjust their investment
as the relationship grows, it creates something fantastic. This is precisely what Hendrick Honda has
done in the Charlotte area over the last several years through the Pop Warner’s
Little Panthers Football League and the Mecklenburg Optimist Club.
Since 2011, Hendrick Honda has worked with Pop Warner and
Mecklenburg Optimists to create a dynamic environment in which sports leagues
are given tools to increase opportunities and resources for the athletes they
serve and enhance the lives of the local families. As a result, the partnership has strengthened
the league, increasing participation within each association, while creating
friendships between associations that solidify the Charlotte community.
The partnership started in 2011 with Hendrick Honda donating a
Honda Civic to Pop Warner to raise money.
In this first year, three of Pop Warner’s associations embraced the
fundraiser selling raffle tickets throughout their neighborhoods to friends and
family. With this one opportunity, the Weddington
Wesley Chapel Athletic Association, Steele Creek, and Mallard Creek football
programs were able to raise approx $15,000.
Robert Adden of the Mecklenburg Optimist Club says, “Hendrick
Honda’s car donation is by far the best fundraiser we have ever had. It inspired the most community involvement
and brought the associations a windfall in comparison to any fundraising effort
employed prior to this.” Using the
profits to improve fields, replace outdated equipment, and provide athletes
scholarships made a marked impact on the families involved in these
organizations.
In addition to the donation of a car for the fundraiser, Hendrick
Honda answered myriad requests for support including providing trophies for the
Year-end Mighty Mite Bowl, providing sponsorship for off-season flag football
leagues, and on-site sponsorship of scoreboards and sponsor walls at
association parks.
Encouraged by the success of their fellow associations, several
others, including South Park, Matthews Athletic and Recreation, and the Police
Athletic League, adopted the fundraiser in 2012 and raised approximately
$25,000. In year three, the Mecklenburg Optimists began to branch out the
fundraiser to the associations involved with Pop Warner and allowed their other
sports such as baseball, basketball, and softball to use the raffle as a
fundraiser. The total raised in 2013 was
approximately $40,000.
Now in it’s fourth year, there are over 10 organizations using
Hendrick Honda’s Mecklenburg Optimist Club fundraiser as their fundraising tool. For 2014, Hendrick generously upgraded the
donation to a Honda Odyssey. Matthew
Ricks, Hendrick Honda’s General Manager says, “We are so pleased with the
results of the car raffle and the impact it is having on the kids. Hendrick Honda will do everything in our
power to make raffle sales even more attractive and help the associations
realize their goal of raising over $100,000.”
Hendrick continues to grow its support and meet the needs of the
league as a whole and its associations through innumerable requests and
sponsorship. Over four short years, Hendrick Honda has made raising funds and
supporting youth athletics in the Charlotte community a priority. By
realizing how important these leagues are to our kids, families and community
and providing enthusiastic, interactive support, Hendrick Honda proves they are
not just a leader in the automobile industry but a true partner in improving
the lives the people in the Charlotte community for the long haul.
