LOCAL YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AWARDED A $50,000 LET’S PLAY SPORTS EQUIPMENT DONATION FROM DR PEPPER SNAPPLE AND NATIONAL NON-PROFIT GOOD SPORTS
BOYNTON BEACH, FL – Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) has awarded Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County Police Athletic League (PAL) Inc. and The Learning Center a Let’s Play equipment donation valued at $50,000 as part of its partnership with Good Sports. Among other equipment, the grants provide footballs, scrimmage vests, pop-up goals, basketballs, cones, soccer balls, volleyballs, jump ropes and playground balls.
“We at Dr Pepper Snapple Group are very excited to give back to the community in Palm Beach County,” said Eric Rogers, Boynton Beach Branch Manager. “By partnering with Good Sports we are able to bring much-needed equipment and the opportunity for many children to get active and play. We strive to be the Best Beverage Business in the Americas and providing these deserving kids the opportunity to play more and be healthier makes me proud.”
Let’s Play is an initiative by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to provide kids and families with the tools, places and inspiration to make active play a daily priority. Through DPS’s partnership with Good Sports, an organization which provides donations of athletic gear, footwear and sports equipment to deserving organizations or communities, Let’s Play has committed $3 million through 2016 to help kids become active through organized sports and fitness programs.
“Our partnership with Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Let’s Play will enable Good Sports to provide even more equipment to deserving youth across the country,” said Melissa Harper, CEO of Good Sports. “Together, we are thrilled to support these organizations in Palm Beach County and provide the tools and resources they need to keep children active, healthy, and happy.” The 9,271 pieces of donated equipment were sorted and packed by Dr Pepper Snapple employees on Saturday, September 24 DPS Boynton Beach warehouse. Founded in 1971, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is a not-for profit youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. The Clubs provide more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone – they offer a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youth build skills, self-esteem and values during critical periods of growth. The thirteen Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Palm Beach County serve more than 8,000 children ages 6-18. “Thanks to the generosity of Good Sports and Dr Pepper, the youth at our thirteen Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County will have new, quality equipment to participate in a variety of sporting activities” said Linda Firestone, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Grant Writer. “These items include new running shoes for our running club, soccer and football equipment and more. Our members come from financially challenged, underserved neighborhoods where buying sporting equipment is a luxury most cannot afford. We are deeply appreciative of this donation, and know that our children will derive great benefit from it.”
About Let’s Play
Let’s Play is an initiative launched in 2011 by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to provide the tools, places and inspiration to make play a daily priority. By 2017, DPS will provide nearly 10 million children across North America with new opportunities to play and be active through Let’s Play. Working in partnership with the nonprofit organizations KaBOOM! and Good Sports, Let’s Play engages community organizations, thought leaders, elected officials and DPS employees to help eliminate the ‘play deficit’ by building and improving playspaces and providing grants for athletic equipment and gear. For more information, please visit LetsPlay.com
About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 or No. 2 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Mott’s, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Peñafiel, Rose’s, Schweppes, Squirt and Sunkist soda. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit www.DrPepperSnapple.com.
About Good Sports
Good Sports gives all kids the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity by providing equipment, apparel and footwear to those most in need. Since 2003, Good Sports has provided more than $16 million worth of equipment to more than 2,700 youth programs, impacting nearly THREE MILLION kids. Good Sports has also been awarded a coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest charity evaluator, for sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability; is a Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance accredited charity; and is listed on Social Impact Exchange’s S&I 100, an index of top American nonprofits creating meaningful social impact. For more information on how you can support Good Sports, please visit www.goodsports.org
