Archive for the ‘In the News’ Category

The Panera Bread Foundation Announces 2023 Grant Awards

Posted on: April 11th, 2023 by Dre Nix No Comments

30 Non-Profits Receive Grants to Continue and Expand Programming to Invest in Underserved Youth 

 

ST. LOUIS, April 4, 2023 – Today, the Panera Bread Foundation* announces 30 non-profit organizations will receive a collective $2 million from the Panera Bread Foundation Grant Program. The Panera Bread Foundation launched the grant program in 2021 to support non-profit organizations that provide access to education, opportunity, and mentorship to at-risk, underserved, or historically underrepresented children and youth.

“The 2023 grant award recipients are doing incredible work to help create a world in which young people can unlock their full potential, and we are proud to be a small part in helping them achieve their missions,” said Debbie Roberts, Panera Bread Chief Operating Officer, and President of the Panera Bread Foundation Board of Directors. “We’re also grateful for the generosity of our guests who rounded up their checks through our Give Change for Children program—because of them, we were able to more than triple the total grant amount this year.”

The Panera Bread Foundation envisions a world in which young people can unlock their full potential and dare to dream — a world in which opportunity and economic mobility are accessible and equitable for all. The Give Change for Children round-up program began last March and raised more than $1 million in 2022 to support the Panera Bread Foundation’s mission. At participating bakery-cafes, Panera Bread guests have the option to round-up their order total to the nearest dollar to help invest in underserved and at-risk children and youth. Give Change for Children is available in-cafe at the register, at the drive-thru and kiosk, and through web and mobile app ordering**.

Programs funded by the 2023 grant awards include: college readiness training including campus visits, application assistance and financial aid planning; STEAM programs to inspire youth to become leaders in science, technology, engineering, art and math; career readiness including internship programs and community job placement; afterschool and summer programs focused on robotics and computer programming; one-to-one mentoring for students and their families on a post-high school plan, and more.  The full list of the Panera Bread Foundation’s 2023 Grant Award recipients includes:

• Achieve Miami Inc.
• An Achievable Dream
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Inc.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana
• Bottom Line
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties Inc
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Coastal Plain
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga
• Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis
• Breakthrough Cincinnati Inc.
• College AIM, Inc.

• College Visions
• Foundation for a College Education
• Geeking Out Kids of Color
• GirlForward
• Girls Inc. of Alameda County
• Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest
• Institute for Community Leadership
• Life Pieces to Masterpieces
• Minds Matter Colorado
• Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children
• Quad County Urban League, Inc.
• Road to Hire
• STEER for Student Athletes
• Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County
• Tulsa Girls Art School

Serving its communities has always been an important part of the Panera Bread culture. As the Panera Bread Foundation focuses on helping children and youth unlock their leadership potential, the brand is also working internally to enable and empower BIPOC Panera associates and associates experiencing financial hardship to unlock their talents and potential through the Panera Dream Project®. Through greater access to education, enhanced training experiences and new paths to leadership and ownership, Panera Bread aims to accelerate associate growth and reduce barriers to success. The Panera Dream Project functions separately from the Panera Bread Foundation but is part of Panera Bread’s larger mission of serving its associates and greater communities.

To learn more about the Panera Bread Foundation, 2023 grant award recipients or Give Change for Children, visit www.PaneraBread.com/Foundation.

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*The Panera Bread Foundation, Inc. is a public charity and exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501(c)(3). Our Employer Identification Number is 43-1950869.

**The Give Change for Children program is available at participating U.S. Panera Bread® bakery-cafes to offer guests the option to round up their order total (including any applicable taxes, fees and charges) to the nearest dollar to donate the difference to the Panera Bread Foundation to support its mission of investing in underserved and at-risk children. The Give Change for Children program may be available in-cafe at the register, at the drive-thru and kiosk, and through web and mobile app ordering. The program is not available on catering orders or orders placed on third party delivery sites. All donations collected from the Give Change for Children program are donated to the Panera Bread Foundation, Inc. The Panera Bread Foundation, Inc. (EIN: 43-1950869) is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information visit: PaneraBread.com/Foundation.

About Panera Bread

Panera Bread opened in 1987 as a community bakery, founded with a secret sourdough starter and a belief that sharing great bread is an expression of warmth and generosity. That vision holds true today with a robust menu of delicious, chef-curated recipes created with a simple principle: The Familiar, Made Fantastic™. At Panera, we serve food that we are proud to serve our own families, made with responsibly raised proteins and freshly prepared with Clean ingredients–food that does not contain the artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, and colors from artificial sources set forth on our No-No list served in U.S.  bakery-cafes. From crave-worthy soups, salads and sandwiches to flatbread pizza and sweets, we offer our guests more than great food. Our ethos of generosity drives us to meet our guests where they are through technology and through our shared values. We are stewards of our communities and the planet — with programs like Day-End Dough-Nation® that donates unsold baked goods in the evening to local non-profits, or labeling climate-friendly low carbon Cool Food Meals.

As of January 24, 2023 there were 2,112 bakery-cafes, company and franchise, in 48 states and in Ontario, Canada, operating under the Panera Bread® or Saint Louis Bread Co.® names. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast casual restaurant companies in the U.S., comprised of Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Einstein Bros.® Bagels. For more information, visit panerabread.com or find us on Twitter (@panerabread), Facebook (facebook.com/panerabread) Instagram (@panerabread) or TikTok (@panerabread).

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain Announces A’Niyah Grant as the 2023 Youth of the Year Winner

Posted on: February 13th, 2023 by Dre Nix 1 Comment

On Thursday, February 9th, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain hosted its Annual Youth of the Year Celebration Dinner. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program, the Youth of the Year title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. 

A’Niyah Grant was named Youth of the Year and received a $3,000 college scholarship. A’Niyah is a senior at South Central High School and has been a member at Jack Minges Boys & Girls Club for the past five years. In her time here she has achieved so much! She is the President of the Keystone Club and a true leader among her peers. She also took advantage of the Boys & Girls Clubs workforce initiative and worked as a paid staff this past summer, where she earned MVP as well as Leader of the Month. A’Niyah will go on to represent Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain at the North Carolina State Youth of the Year competition later this spring. We are so proud of her hard work and dedication to her Club and her community.

The dinner was hosted at the Hilton Greenville and sponsored by the generous support of PNC Bank. Finalists and their families along with staff, donors and friends of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain gathered to recognize and celebrate these youth that have exemplified the Boys & Girls Club mission and are proof to the impact Clubs make in transforming and saving kids’ lives. In addition to hearing from our youth, guests heard an inspirational message from Dereck Whittenburg, a motivational public figure who was a standout member of NC State’s 1983 National Championship basketball team under Coach Jim Valvano. In addition to his work with NC State, The V Foundation and his own Foundation, Dereck was a first-generation college graduate who was raised by hardworking parents that made education a priority for their son.

Fourteen finalists participated in the celebration dinner and all were awarded medals to honor their hard work throughout the rigorous Youth of the Year selection process. In addition to the organizational winner receiving a $3,000 scholarship, we also awarded the runner-up with a $1,000 scholarship. This year’s runner-up was Imani Hall, from the Jack Minges Teen Center in Winterville, NC. Also honored were the Junior Youth of the Year winner, Saraah Clark from the Jack Minges Club, as well as the Duane Reynolds Leadership Award winner, Leander Moore from the Havelock Club.

Congratulations to A’Niyah and all of the candidates for all of their hard work this year!

See more images from our celebration at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAs23y.

Panda Cares, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain partner to open Panda Cares Center of Hope in Winterville, NC

Posted on: December 6th, 2022 by Dre Nix 1 Comment

WINTERVILLE, NC – In partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Panda Express held a grand opening event for the newest Panda Cares Center of Hope, which took place at the Jack Minges Club (621 W. Fire Tower Rd., Winterville, NC) on December 1, 2022. The event featured Panda Express food for the youth, a ribbon cutting, book giveaway and many exciting activities for Club members & attendees! Panda Cares also surprised attendees with an additional $10,000 donation, bringing their total contribution to the Jack Minges Club to $75,000!

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Panda Express are proud to bring a Panda Cares Center of Hope to the Jack Minges Club. The opening of this Center of Hope aligns directly with Panda Express’ commitment to foster academic success among Boys & Girls Clubs members across the country.

Panda Cares Center of Hope is a newly renovated space within our Club designed to deliver more joy, education, and critical social-emotional development to local communities. Project Learn, the platform that unites each Center of Hope, is a holistic strategy intended to reinforce and enhance what youth learn during the school day, while creating experiences that invite them to fall in love with learning,” said Mark Holtzman, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain President & CEO. “Rooted in social-emotional development, this program is based on research showing that students do better in school when they spend their non-school hours engaged in fun and academically beneficial activities. Our Panda Cares Center of Hope was designed to meet the needs of our Club members and includes a new library of books, soft spaces, flexible seating to support various learning styles and many spaces for them to learn, engage, and grow.”

A full gallery of pictures from the event can be viewed at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAhFUd

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain’s programs, please visit www.bgccp.com or call 252-355-2345.

 

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain

The organization began in 1969 as a Boys Club with a very modest operation at the Pitt County Fairgrounds. Since that time, the organization has experienced significant growth in membership, programs, and facilities. In 1992 the Jack Minges Unit was built to accommodate the growing need and to include girls in membership. Additional units have been established in Ayden, Farmville, West Greenville, and north of the Tar River. BGCCP assumed responsibility for the Club in Lenoir County in 2010, two Clubs in Beaufort County in 2013, opened a new Club in November 2013 in Greene County, and now has opened two Clubs in Martin County. In 2017, BGCCP merged with the Boys and Girls Club of Coastal Carolina to add 6 Clubs in Craven and Carteret Counties. Today, more than 3,000 young people are taking advantage of the programs, activities and services provided by our 17 Clubs in 7 contingent counties: Pitt, Lenoir, Beaufort, Greene, Martin, Carteret, and Craven Counties. 


About Panda Express

On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express® is the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S. Family-owned and operated since 1983 by co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Express is best known as a trailblazer for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller the Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp™, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each dish at Panda Express, including the Wok Smart® selections, is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients and inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,400 locations and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to twelve international countries.

Powered by this global family of associates, Panda Cares® the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, has raised more than $282 million and dedicated countless volunteer hours in bettering the health and education for over 13 million youths, as well as supporting communities in need since 1999. In 2020, the organization established the Panda Cares Scholars Program to provide the necessary funding,- academic support and leadership development to help high school and college students learn, lead and thrive towards a bright future. For more information, visit pandaexpress.com or pandacares.org.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain is Seeking Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Food Service Providers and Vendors

Posted on: September 1st, 2022 by programming 1 Comment

 

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain is seeking Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Food Service Providers and Vendors that are able to serve in the following capacities:

Monday – Friday delivery times between 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., roughly 800 – 1000 individually packaged meals and/or 400 – 600 snacks (following CACFP Meal Patterns) at a temperature of 140 degrees F for hot foods and 45 degrees F. Daily deliveries will be to the following locations with meals in containers and covered:

Pitt County
Dr. Ledyard E. Ross Unit – 108 2nd Street, Ayden, NC 28513
Farmville 21st Century Learning Center Unit – 2442 Park Street, Farmville, NC 27828
Grady White Boats/E.R. Lewis Family Unit – 475 Belvoir Highway, Greenville, NC 27834
Jack Minges Unit/Minges Teen Center – 621 W. Fire Tower Road, Winterville, NC 28590
Lucille W Gorham Intergenerational Cultural Center – 1101 Ward Street, Greenville, NC 27834

Beaufort County
Belhaven Unit – 225 W. Pantego Street, Belhaven, NC 27810
Washington 21st Century Learning Center Unit – 1089 N. Bridge Street, Washington, NC 27889

Martin County
Robersonville Unit – 21230 NC 903, Robersonville, NC 27871
Williamston Unit – 201 Andrews Street, Williamston, NC 27892

Greene County
Greene County 21st Century Learning Center Unit – 614 Middle School Road, Snow Hill, NC 28580

Lenoir County
Lenoir County Unit – 2600 Rouse Road, Kinston, NC 28504

Craven County
J.T. Barber Elementary – 1700 Cobb Street, New Bern, NC 28560
Havelock Unit – 199 Webb Boulevard, Havelock, NC 28532
New Bern Teen Center – 1203 Queen Street, New Bern, NC 28560

Carteret County
Beaufort Teen Center – 601 Mulberry Street, Beaufort, NC 28516
Beaufort Elementary School – 110 Carraway Drive, Beaufort, NC 28516
Sunshine Lady Club – 3321 Bridges Street, Morehead City, NC 28557

Interested vendors and food service providers should email Laquitta Staton, Federal Grants Manager, at lstaton@bgccp.com for complete packet including:

Invitation to Bid Forms
Sample Menus
Current Meal Patterns

Only sealed bids will be accepted and must be mailed no later than September 15 at 4:00 p.m. to:

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain
Attn: Laquitta Staton
621 W. Fire Tower Rd
Winterville, NC 28590

Late bids will be returned, regardless of postmark or mailing receipt date. Bidders are required to attend Bidder’s Conference Sept. 16 at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom, Meeting ID: 879 529 9816 for the opening of bids. Notice of selections will be Friday, Sept. 16. Potential contract will be in effect Oct. 1, 2022.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain Names Mark Holtzman as Chief Executive Officer

Posted on: August 23rd, 2022 by programming 1 Comment

Winterville, NC – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain (BGCCP) announced today that the Board of Directors has unanimously named Mark Holtzman as the next Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2022.

Mark has more than twenty years of experience in various leadership positions within local government police organizations in Maryland and North Carolina, with nine years as Chief of Police. Over his 30+ year career in law enforcement, Mark has always demonstrated a heart for the community and a belief in the ability to change disadvantaged neighborhoods. Focusing on the neighborhood level, he has worked to improve the quality of life of residents, especially those living in underserved communities.

Mark has built and maintained relationships with community members to increase trust and improve transparency in departmental operations. In his latest role as a police chief in Greenville, North Carolina, he has been responsible for afterschool programs and summer camps through the department’s Police Athletic League (PAL) youth programs. Mark is known to leverage relationships with allied partners in higher education, public health, housing, and other government and law enforcement agencies to implement innovative programs and technological advances to improve the safety of the communities he served.

Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a master’s degree in Public Administration and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. His most recent leadership responsibilities included the management of more than 250 officers and civilian staff in a nationally accredited (CALEA) police department. Mark knows that the success of any organization rests in the quality and character of its people. After a full career in the public safety field, Mark is eager to continue his service to the community as the President & CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain.

The search process was conducted over several months by a BGCCP Search Committee in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s CEO Search Team. I would personally like to thank Boys & Girls Clubs of America for their tremendous support during this process.

For Mark, the BGCCP opportunity is an honor:

“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to continue to work and serve the community both here in Pitt County and across the eastern North Carolina area that we have called home now for the past several years.  Transitioning from public safety into this new role of serving the community through the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain seems like a natural progression of a lifelong professional career in public service.  I look forward to contributing my energy and talents toward an organization whose mission exemplifies what it means to live, work, and serve with purpose.”  

About BGCCP:

The organization began in 1969 as a Boys Club with a very modest operation at the Pitt County Fairgrounds. Since that time, the organization has experienced significant growth in membership, programs, and facilities. In 1992 the Jack Minges Unit was built to accommodate the growing need and to include girls in membership. Additional units have been established in Ayden, Farmville, West Greenville, and north of the Tar River. BGCCP assumed responsibility for the Club in Lenoir County in 2010, two Clubs in Beaufort County in 2013, opened a new Club in November 2013 in Greene County, and now has opened two Clubs in Martin County. In 2017, BGCCP merged with the Boys and Girls Club of Coastal Carolina to add 6 Clubs in Craven and Carteret Counties. Today, more than 3,000 young people are taking advantage of the programs, activities and services provided by our 17 Clubs in 7 contingent counties: Pitt, Lenoir, Beaufort, Greene, Martin, Carteret, and Craven Counties.

Boys & Girls Clubs Names Brittany Spear as Director of Resource Development

Posted on: August 2nd, 2022 by programming 1 Comment

 

Winterville, NC – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain (BGCCP) has announced the hiring of Brittany Creamer Spear as Director of Resource Development. Spear joins BGCCP from The Epiphany School of Global Studies, an independent school for K-12 students in New Bern, where she served as Director of Advancement since 2017.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brittany to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain family,” Chief Development Officer Will Chriscoe said. “She brings an incredible familiarity of eastern North Carolina and experience building meaningful relationships with members of our communities. Her passion and energy will play a critical role generating resources to support our youth who need us now, more than ever.”

While at The Epiphany School, Spear was in charge of fundraising, marketing, communications, alumni relations, and special events. During her six years at the school, her work leading fundraising efforts resulted in doubling their annual giving contributions. Spear was also active as a member of the Noon Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, and graduate of Leadership Craven.

“I am excited to join the team at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain,” Spear said. “I look forward to working hard for all the youth, their families and our staff to increase philanthropy for the organization. My ultimate love is working with kids and the community to provide children the best opportunities possible.”

Prior to joining the staff at The Epiphany School, Brittany worked for NBC affiliate WITN-TV from 2009 to 2015 as a reporter and later Bureau Chief in the New Bern area.

Spear attended Barton College in Wilson, NC as a student-athlete on the Lady Bulldogs women’s basketball team. She received her degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Broadcasting. Following graduation and before returning to eastern North Carolina, Raleigh station WTVD was home to Brittany while also working for Good Morning America.

 

BGCCP Youth of the Year accepts track and field scholarship to UNCW; East jumper will enter program as a junior

Posted on: April 26th, 2022 by programming 1 Comment

Check out this article from the Carteret County News-Times!

https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/sports/article_adba3cb2-c2fc-11ec-a018-7f20af0011db.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwAR2pTFzcFAb4fbObMFfRnHL4wBZE8TgL0T0VmC1dD_Gs5IS2pd7TnTCJZ2A 

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain Announces La’tecyia Johnson as the 2022 Youth of the Year Winner

Posted on: February 4th, 2022 by programming No Comments

Winterville, NC – On Thursday, February 3, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain hosted its Youth of the Year Annual Recognition Dinner.  La’tecyia Johnson was named Youth of the Year and received a $3,000 college scholarship. La’tecyia has been a member of the Beaufort Teen Center 2018 and has displayed increased self-confidence by participating in Club programming. She serves as an excellent role model, setting an example for other club and community members by exhibiting excellent leadership skills academically and athletically. Lateycia plans to become a criminal profiler. She has been offered many opportunities due to her academic achievements and was invited to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum: Law & CSI Participant in Washington, DC. In addition, she has received numerous acceptance letters and invitations to apply for honors programs at various colleges. She has not decided which college she will be attending in fall 2022, but she will begin the journey of eventually earning a master’s degree in criminology. This year, in addition to the organizational winner receiving a $3,000 scholarship, we also be awarded the runner-up with a $1,000 scholarship. This year’s runner-up was A’Niyah Grant, from the Jack Minges Teen Center in Winterville, NC. This year we also honored a Junior Youth of the Year winner, Hannah Oliver from the Sunshine Lady Club in Morehead City, who received a trophy.

Three other Youth of the Year finalists participated in the dinner: Makyra Hoggard representing Beaufort County, Justice Spruill representing Martin County, and Tiara Johnson representing Craven County. All finalist gave their speech and were awarded medals. La’tecyia will go on to represent Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain at the North Carolina State Youth of the Year competition later this spring.

 

 

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program, the Youth of the Year title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. Each state winner is awarded a $1,000 college scholarship and five regional winners a $10,000 scholarship. The national winner receives an additional scholarship up to $50,000 and is installed by the President of the United States.

First Citizens Bank Invests $100,000 in Eastern NC Youth Development

Posted on: January 11th, 2022 by programming No Comments

Winterville, NC – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain announced it has received a $100,000 donation from First Citizens Bank to support the organization’s greatest needs and strategic initiatives.

This contribution will have an immediate impact on all 17 Boys & Girls Clubs across seven counties in eastern North Carolina, specifically supporting child safety, academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character and leadership.

“First Citizens Bank has been a passionate and loyal supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs in eastern North Carolina for many years. We are truly grateful for their continued generosity,” said Kirk Dominick, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain Interim President & CEO. “As we continue facing the prolonged impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this investment will help us serve more kids, more often, and with greater impact.”

Gordon Jethro, Area Executive for First Citizens Bank, presented the $100,000 check to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain Interim President & CEO, Kirk Dominick, and Board of Directors member, Steve Stephenson, at the Jack Minges Club on Fire Tower Road.

“First Citizens is thrilled to make this donation that will support vital programs at local Boys & Girls Clubs and help young people across the region,” said Jethro. “First Citizens has served eastern North Carolina for 124 years. As the largest family-controlled bank in the country, we’re committed to helping the places we call home. That’s why we believe it’s important, especially in these critical times, to give back and assist organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs that do so much for our communities.”

About First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank helps personal, business, commercial and wealth clients build financial strength that lasts. In January 2022, parent company, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and CIT Group Inc. merged – creating one of the top 20 U.S. financial institutions, with more than $100 billion in assets. As the largest family-controlled bank in the United States, First Citizens is continuing a unique legacy of strength, stability and long-term thinking that has spanned generations. Its commercial banking segment brings a wide array of best-in-class lending, leasing and banking services to middle-market companies and small businesses from coast to coast. Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., First Citizens also operates a nationwide direct bank and a network of more than 600 branches in 22 states, many in high-growth markets. Industry specialists bring a depth of expertise that helps businesses and individuals meet their specific goals at every stage of their financial journey. First Citizens brings together personal

service and powerful tools to help customers do more with their money – and make more of their future. Visit firstcitizens.com. First Citizens Bank. Forever First®

2021 Ultimate Pre-Game Party Presented by First Citizens Bank Transitions to Online Auction Event

Posted on: September 7th, 2021 by programming No Comments

GREENVILLE, NC – In light of recent updates from the CDC, state health department, and local hospital
officials regarding the current Delta variant surge of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Boys & Girls Clubs
of the Coastal Plain announced today that the 2021 Ultimate Pre-Game Party, Presented by First Citizens
Bank and scheduled for Friday, September 10, has been transitioned to an online auction event.
“Everything we do is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the youth and families throughout
our Eastern North Carolina communities,” said Kimberly Boyd, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain
President & CEO. “This difficult decision comes at a time when collectively we have overcome so much
adversity and were looking forward to coming together for a night of fun and fellowship.”
With the generosity of sponsors and guests who had already purchased tickets, the 2021 event was on
pace to raise nearly $200,000 to directly support young people from 17 Clubs and seven counties in
Eastern North Carolina.
“First Citizens Bank is a long-time advocate for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain. While we
were looking forward to the 2021 Ultimate Pre-Game Party taking place as an in-person event, we
certainly understand and support the decision to transition to an online auction and fundraising event
due to the ongoing pandemic,” stated Gordon Jethro, First Citizens Bank Area Executive. “Despite the
change of plans, First Citizens Bank is resolved to continue our sponsorship of the Boys & Girls Clubs this
year, and hope others will do the same.”
Fundraising efforts will now transition to an online auction and online giving event at www.bgccp.com
beginning Friday, September 10. Additional details regarding the online auction, which includes items
such as signature events and experiences, jewelry, fine art, and more will be announced in the coming
days.
Sponsors of the 2021 Ultimate Pre-Game Party, Presented by First Citizens Bank include: Greenville
Convention Center, Barnhill Contracting Company, Ferguson Waterworks, BB&T (Now Truist), Baker
Roofing, Grady-White Boats, Hendrix-Barnhill, Minges Bottling Group, PBMares, Physicians East,
Practicon, Service Roofing, Ward & Smith, P.A., Eastern Trust – Mullarkey Real Estate Group, Taft-Mills
Group, ARK Consulting Group, Eastern Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Engineering Consulting
Services (ECS), Greenville Utilities, Inner Banks Media, Meridian Park, TowneBank and Towne Insurance.