ALTOONA, Pa. -- Sheetz Inc. will host the 8th Annual Sheetz Family Christmas For the Kidz Golf Classic at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, June 25-26. Celebrity guests of honor include, former NFL players Jerry Rice, Jerome Bettis, Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly and Jack Lambert along with many other professional athletes.
The purpose of the event is to raise money to help underprivileged children enjoy the holidays. The Salvation Army identifies needy families within each of the communities where Sheetz stores are located. Then Sheetz employees buy clothing, [image-nocss] toys and other presents for the kids. In December, Sheetz hosts a holiday party where the children receive their presents.
We're a business that was founded on the principle of giving back. We believe that our emphasis on helping take care of the communities we serve is a large part of our success, said Louie Sheetz, executive vice president of marketing. Every year this golf outing grows and raises more money than the last. It's because of the thoughtfulness and hard work of our employees, the kindness of our vendors, and the generosity of our communities and friends that we have been able to continue this unique tradition.
Other celebrities participating this year include NFL greats Jack Ham, Andy Russell and Al Jenkins; MLB stars Lou Brock, Bill Mazeroski, Kent Tekulve, Steve Blass, Dave Guisti; and PGA golfer Larry Laoretti. Also joining the event this year is ESPN sports anchor John Anderson.
Sheetz will also be holding its third annual motorcycle poker run to benefit Sheetz Family Christmas. This year's event will again be held at the company's distribution center in Claysburg, Pa., on August 5. A poker run is an organized motorcycle event where riders travel over a predetermined route and at designated stopping points they select a poker card. At the end of the run, the person with the best poker hand wins the $200 prize.
Post-run activities include:
A biker build-off contest for professionals and amateurs with judging by the crowd. Jax Cycles of Altoona and Icon Signs will display their custom bikes. Live performances from Asphalt Andy and Homer's Army. A NASCAR simulator to test racing skills. A dirt bike raffle. Food and drinks. Games and other fun activities for the kidz. Fireworks
Sheetz Family Christmas began in 1992 when Sheetz employees in Blair County, Pa., raised money to help needy families during the holidays. Today, nearly 4,000 Sheetz employees and volunteers from every Sheetz operating area participate in the shopping days at more than 40 different retail locations. Last year, the Sheetz Family Christmas program raised more than $350,000 and helped more than 3,800 needy children in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. To date, Sheetz employees have raised more than $3.9 million for Sheetz Family Christmas and helped more than 29,000 children.
In 2005, Sheetz Family Christmas formed a new partnership with another charitable organization, The Make-A-Wish Foundation. Sheetz Family Christmas donated $150,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, making Sheetz its largest single contributor. The money was used to sponsor 30 families of seriously ill children for a dream vacation to Orlando, Fla.
Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz operates 322 convenience locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina.
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