Georgia Force and United Way Partner for Kids
April 17, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
Atlanta -- Looking to build a winning tradition both on and off the field, the Georgia Force announced today its partnership with United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta for a community outreach initiative called Kids Force.
The Force and United Way are providing area children with the opportunity to attend Georgia's newest professional sporting event -- Arena Football -- and receive quality mentoring at the same time. Youth organizations affiliated with United Way are expected to send as many as 4,000 children to each of the team's eight home games at Philips Arena this spring, beginning with the regular season home opener this Saturday night against Orlando.
"We are extremely proud of the Kids Force program and the opportunity it presents for the Georgia Force to reach out and give something back to the community," said team President Jim Thomas. "With the help of organizations such as United Way and corporate sponsors that care deeply about our youth, Kids Force enables us to be a positive Force in the community."
The team relocated to Atlanta this year after a successful five-year tenure in Nashville where the Kats reached the playoffs in every season, reaching the ArenaBowl Championship game in 2000 and 2001.
Success on the field is not the only achievement the Georgia Force is looking to share with the community. Recognizing economic circumstances often inhibit families, educators and coaches from exposing children to the positive aspects of professional sports, the team started 'Kids Force' not only to introduce a young fan base to the sport, but to provide at-risk children with an experience that teaches hope and inspiration and that builds lasting character.
"Under normal circumstances many Atlanta children would not have the opportunity to attend a professional sporting event. Kids Force offers not only a unique entertainment option for youth, but also introduces them to positive role models who can relate to challenges confronting children today," said Mark O'Connell, president of United Way. "The response to the program has been very encouraging. Some of the youth organizations are placing orders by the hundreds."
As Kids Force participants arrive at Philips Arena, United Way volunteers will give them handouts with a different life lesson for every game. Messages such as 'Its All About Family,' 'Stay in School' and 'Stay off Drugs' encourage the children to make positive choices. The lessons will be reinforced by peers and players who experienced the same challenges as many of the children in the program.
The message for Saturday's game, given by former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, encourages children to 'Never Give Up.' Says Holyfield: "I grew up in what some people call an underprivileged environment, and most people told me I would never amount to anything, but with each challenge and every setback I refused to give up, and that has made all the difference. Like me, if you never give up no matter how difficult your path, you can achieve anything that you can conceive."
'Kids Force' is supported through tax-deductible corporate contributions to United Way that enable tens of thousands of Georgia Force tickets to be purchased for area children. United Way then distributes the tickets to participating community organizations benefiting children in the 13 county metro area. These organizations -- such as Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Families First and YMCA -- distribute the tickets.
With the help of generous benefactors and many caring volunteers, the 'Kids Force' program is a major victory for local youth organizations and our community. Bank of America, Georgia Power and AT&T Broadband have made the first four games possible. The Georgia Force is still looking for corporate sponsors for the second half of the season. Corporations interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact the Georgia Force at 404-878-3825. Youth organizations interested in the program should call United Way at 404-614-1007.
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