PITTSBURG, Pa. — DICK’s Sporting Goods and The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation kicked off a campaign to provide access to sports for a million young athletes by 2024.
New television ads began airing August 4 in 30- and 60-second ads, “To Whom it May Concern,” that feature young athletes and teams facing the youth sports budget crisis.
The ads that will also run on digital, social media and in store locations call for communities to “help us, help them.” Customers can donate to the foundation’s Sports Matter program at store checkout or on sportsmatter.org, by texting key word “SPORTS” to 20222 or through a donate button on Facebook. All donations will directly support youth sports programs across the country.
DICK’s is matching up to $1 million in donations made by customers through Sept. 13, 2019.
“All over America, in the communities that need it most, fewer sports teams are being offered, fields are being neglected and kids are left with little to no resources to play sports,” said Ed Plummer, chief marketing officer for DICK’s Sporting Goods.
The TV commercial was filmed in Birmingham, Ala., and many of the athletes featured are from nearby Fairfield High School. The school’s athletic department will receive a $25,000 grant on behalf of foundation and Sports Matter program.
DICK’s Foundation will also fully-fund all Sports Matter projects on DonorsChoose.org totaling more than $450,000 and impacting 40,000 students.
For more information, visit www.sportsmater.org.
