With a little help from some key players, Sheetz Inc. kicked off its 12th annual “For the Kidz” Golf Classic on June 6 at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., to provide underprivileged children a more meaningful Christmas holiday.
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman and New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath will attend together with other celebrity guests that include Oakland Raider quarterback Ken Stabler, and New York Mets slugger Darryl Strawberry.
Sheetz Family Christmas, now referred to as “For the Kidz” began in 1992 when employees of the convenience store chain in Blair County, Pa., raised money to help deserving families during the holidays.
Held June 6-7, the “For the Kidz” golf outing raises money, which Sheetz employees use to purchase clothing, toys and other presents for kids during the Christmas season. The children attend holiday parties hosted by Sheetz employees throughout all six states in which Sheetz operates. Local children are then given the gifts that were bought especially for them.
“The ‘For the Kidz’ Golf Classic is an amazing event. We are very fortunate to have wonderful support from our vendors and employees for this program,” said Louie Sheetz, executive vice president of marketing for Sheetz Inc. “The continued success of this event benefits more children each year.”
Additional celebrities attending the event include former NFL stars Lavar Arrington, Daryl “Moose” Johnston, Mike Wagner, L.C. Greenwood, Jack Ham, Mel Blount and former MLB standouts, Mike “Spanky” Lavalliere, Zane Smith, Kent Tekulve, Andy Van Slyke and Lou Brock.
Longtime friend of the “For the Kidz” event ESPN Sportscenter anchor John Anderson will participate as well.
Last year, the Sheetz Family Charities program raised more than $375,000 and made the 2009 holiday season special for more than 5,100 deserving kids across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. Since 1992 Sheetz employees have raised a total of more than $5.5 million for Sheetz Family Charities and have helped more than 52,000 children.
