DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation Deliver the Magic of Sport to 10,000 Kids

December 4, 2020 

On Giving Tuesday (December 1), DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation, kicked off an initiative to give the gift of sport to 10,000 kids across the US this holiday season through The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Giving Truck. 

Between November 27 and December 21, the Giving Truck will travel to eight cities across the US – New York City, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, New Orleans and Atlanta – and provide children from sports organizations in under-resourced communities the gear they need to stay in the game. 

Professional athletes Candace Parker, Blake Griffin, Matt Ryan and members of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, including Zach Aston-Reese, Marcus Pettersson, Phil Bourque and mascot Iceburgh, will help The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation virtually surprise kids along the Giving Truck route. Using video technology that has been built into the Giving Truck, kids will have a chance to talk to athletes who are helping inspire the next generation. The Foundation also enlisted the help of artist and Brooklyn-native Jordan Moss to design the colorful and eye-catching artwork displayed on the Giving Truck.

“At DICK’S, we believe deeply in the power of sports, and we are excited to deploy the Giving Truck to bring holiday magic to young athletes,” said Lauren Hobart, President of DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. “The Giving Truck symbolizes the importance of sports for all kids and all communities and raises awareness of our long-standing mission to inspire and enable sports participation, while also delivering some much-needed holiday cheer.” 

To help lessen the risks of COVID-19, The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation pre-selected a number of young athletes from youth sports organizations to distribute gifts to from the Giving Truck in the eight cities it’s visiting this holiday season. Foundation Partner Good Sports has prepacked gifts for each individual child at these organizations, ensuring each has their own equipment to safely enjoy the sports they love. 

Throughout the holiday season, all DICK’S Sporting Goods, Field & Stream and Golf Galaxy locations are also collecting donations and continue to support youth sports teams, leagues, organizations and schools in need. 

Since 2014, DICK’S and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation have committed over $145 million to support young athletes through its Sports Matter initiative. Sports Matter raises awareness for the youth sports funding crisis as the fight to save youth sports continues across the US. 

The DICK’s Sporting Goods Foundation is the official partner of the 2020 Beyond Sport Collective Impact Award for Reducing Racial Inequalities.