Buffalo Wild Wings Raises Over $1.1M for Youth Sports Programs at Boys & Girls Clubs
Monday, December 5th, 2016
In support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Buffalo Wild Wingsis donating a total of $1.1 million raised during the month of October through the annual Team Up for Kids fundraiser. These funds will go to support Buffalo Wild Wings' national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, focused on youth sports programs and select facility improvement projects at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.
Buffalo Wild Wings' fundraising campaign was given a boost by a professional football player who visited Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas on the grand opening of its new football facility, supported by Buffalo Wild Wings. During the celebration, the player participated in a national digital spot to raise awareness for the national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the October fundraiser at all Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants around the country.
Support from Buffalo Wild Wings funds Boys & Girls Clubs of America's ALL STARS, the leading team sports program hosted at hundreds of local Clubs around the country. The donations help train coaches and provide uniforms and equipment to young athletes, and change the game for many kids and teens, giving them the opportunity to play team sports at their local Club and learn skills that will help them grow into productive, caring and responsible citizens.
Now in its fourth year, Buffalo Wild Wings has donated and raised over $6.7 million through its Team Up for Kids mission for its partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support ALL STARS grants for hundreds of flag or tackle football, basketball, cheer, and dance teams at Clubs across the country.
"Buffalo Wild Wings understands that belonging to a team early on is an opportunity for young people to learn critical life skills and values," said Jennifer Bateman, national vice president of program, training and youth development with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "By supporting our sports programs and facility improvements, the ALL STARS and Team Up for Kids grants are helping kids and teens build self-confidence and life-enhancing skills that will help them succeed on and off the field."
In 2016, Boys & Girls Clubs of America's partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings is enabling more than 74,000 kids and teens to participate on teams through ALL STARS. The company also awarded Team Up for Kids grants to 20 Clubs across the country to improve their sports facilities. In total, Buffalo Wild Wings has committed to donating an additional $10 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of America through 2020.
"Our entire system of company-owned and franchised restaurants partnered together with our Guests for another great Team Up for Kids fundraiser that exceeded our expectations," said Emily Decker, senior vice-president and general counsel of Buffalo Wild Wings. "The success of this fundraiser brings us another step closer to our goal of reaching 450,000 kids and teens by 2020 by providing year-round team sports opportunities."