The Carolina Panthers and USA Football, the sport's national governing body on youth and amateur levels, have recently awarded football equipment grants to youth and high school football programs throughout the Carolinas based on merit and need.
USA Football partners with the Panthers and all NFL clubs to award equipment grants to youth and high school football programs across the United States. The program has awarded more than $3 million in football equipment through the NFL Youth Football Fund since 2006.
"The Carolina Panthers are excited to partner with USA Football and the NFL Youth Football Fund to positively impact youth and high school football programs in the Carolinas by providing equipment grants," said Peter Vacho, the Carolina Panthers youth football manager. "For these football programs, this equipment equals opportunity - an opportunity for more kids to play football safely and learn essential life skills such as sportsmanship, teamwork and determination."
Each selected youth league received a $1,000 package that offered a variety of football equipment and uniform options to choose from. High schools received similar packages valued at $1,500. All equipment grants are fulfilled by Riddell, the official helmet and protective equipment partner of USA Football.
"Our organization works with low income families and normally the kids are not able to participate in organized football," said Kenneth Crump of S.O.A.R., Inc. in Charlotte. "The equipment is always secondhand and is badly used and damaged. The football equipment would give them something to be excited about."
USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck said, "Even with multiple fundraisers and strict budget adherence, many well-run youth and high school football programs need help to properly equip their teams. We are proud to be a partner in the Panthers' continued commitment to ensuring great football experiences for the kids, families and volunteers who power this sport in the Carolinas."
| ORGANIZATION | CITY |
| Owen District Youth Football League | Black Mountain, N.C. |
| Starmount High School | Boonville, N.C. |
| Branchville High School | Branchville, S.C. |
| Enka High School | Candler, N.C. |
| East Cowboys Youth Football Team | Candor, N.C. |
| Central Parks & Recreation | Central, S.C. |
| Charlotte Latin School | Charlotte, N.C. |
| Elon Browns Youth Football Association | Charlotte, N.C. |
| Phillip O. Berry High School | Charlotte, N.C. |
| S.O.A.R., Inc. | Charlotte, N.C. |
| East Lincoln Optimist Club | Denver, N.C. |
| SABGC Athletic League | Durham, N.C. |
| Boys & Girls Club of Eden | Eden, N.C. |
| Eden Parks & Recreation | Eden, N.C. |
| Westover High School | Fayetteville, N.C. |
| Huskie Optimist Club of Gastonia | Gastonia, N.C. |
| Eastern Guilford High School | Gibsonville, N.C. |
| Grimsley High School | Greensboro, N.C. |
| Carolina High School | Greenville, S.C. |
| North Pitt High School | Greenville, N.C. |
| Henderson Panthers | Henderson, N.C. |
| Gray's Creek High School | Hope Mills, N.C. |
| Hudson Optimist Football | Hudson, N.C. |
| Lake Norman Charter School | Huntersville, N.C. |
| East Lincoln Middle School | Iron Station, N.C. |
| Kernersville Raiders | Kernersville, N.C. |
| Western Harnett High School | Lillington, N.C. |
| Coastal Carolina AYFL | Morehead City, N.C. |
| Craven Bearcats Pop Warner | New Bern, N.C. |
| Newberry Youth Football | Newberry, S.C. |
| South Stanly High School | Norwood, N.C. |
| Red Springs High School | Red Springs, N.C. |
| Reidsville Parks & Recreation | Reidsville, N.C. |
| South Pointe High School | Rock Hill, S.C. |
| Nash Central High School | Rocky Mount, N.C. |
| Pinecrest High School | Southern Pines, N.C. |
| Wade Hampton High School | Varnville, S.C. |
| ARC of Wilson | Wilson, N.C. |
| Community Christian School | Wilson, N.C. |
| Winston-Salem Indians | Winston-Salem, N.C. |
| York Comprehensive High School | York, S.C. |
