Tiger-Cats, Carmens Group Partner to Give United Way Halton & Hamilton Youth New Shoes
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced today that the club’s longest-running community program, Kicks for Kids, will return for the 2024 season. This will be the program’s 16th season and in 2023 it raised $4,600 for new shoes for youth from various United Way Halton & Hamilton agencies.
“We’re thrilled to announce the return of our longest-running program, Kicks for Kids, for a 16th season and once again partner with Carmens Group to give back to the youth in our community and provide hundreds of kids with a new pair of running shoes.” Said Courtney Stephen, Director of Community Partnerships, Hamilton Sports Group.
The Kicks for Kids program uses the accomplishments of Tiger-Cats kickers to raise money at every Tiger-Cats home game. When any Ticats player successfully kicks a field goal at Tim Hortons Field of at least 40 yards, Carmens Group will donate $100 for every additional yard. For example, a 45-yard field goal equals a $500 donation, and all donations will be matched by the Tiger-Cats.
“In the face of challenging economic times, we’ve seen an increased number of families in our community who could use a helping hand. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Carmens Group once again to ensure that youth from our United Way Halton & Hamilton agencies have access to the running shoes they need to stay fit and active. The Kicks for Kids program shows how we can all work together to make a difference in our community,” said Brad Park, President and CEO, United Way Halton & Hamilton.
At the end of the season, the Tiger-Cats will invite youth from various United Way agencies to go shopping for new shoes alongside Ticats players and representatives from Carmens Group.
“Carmens Group is once again proud and delighted to support the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Kicks for Kids, the longest standing community program in the Canadian Football League. For the past 15 years, Carmens Group has partnered with this incredible initiative, raising over $100,000 which has resulted in the purchase of 1,000+ pairs of shoes for children in the Hamilton community.” Said PJ & Joe Mercanti, Carmens Group. “Having grown up in Hamilton playing various sports, we know just how important physical activity is in a child’s life. Through Kicks for Kids, we ensure that children in the Hamilton community have the same opportunity to be active and comfortable. We truly believe providing our youth with the right resources is one of the key elements to creating a strong foundation and helps build a path to success.”
The Kicks for Kids shopping event for the 2023 season will take place on March 23rd at Sport Chek at the Meadowlands Power Centre.
For more information, please visit: ticats.ca/kicks-for-kids
About Carmens Group
Carmens Group is a hospitality, food-service, and development company operating over 10 brands with 450 employees. In 1978, Peter, Sam and Morris Mercanti partnered with their uncle Carmen Mancini to start Carmen’s bakery on Concession Street. The bakery’s catering division expanded, and the brothers were able to buy land on the east Mountain where they opened their event venue, Carmens Event Centre, in 1987. Over the years, Carmens Group has expanded to include the C Hotel, Baci Ristorante, Hamilton Convention Centre, and the Lakeview. The company also leads a consortium of both private sector partners under the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG) development project committed to the restoration of Hamilton’s entertainment venues and revitalization of our downtown core. Most recently, Carmens Group also launched a new off-premise catering division fig&lemon Catering, acquired majority interests in Mama Yolanda’s Gourmet Lasagna, and added the Arlington Hotel and River’s Edge in Paris, Ontario to their portfolio – the company’s most recent expansion outside the city of Hamilton.
About United Way Halton & Hamilton
United Way Halton & Hamilton (UWHH) invests in programs that lay the foundation for lifelong success. The “All That Kids Can Be” initiatives address goals from early literacy to leadership development, which give our youngest citizens the experiences, skills and inspiration they need to become engaged and productive adults. UWHH connects volunteers with local needs, and offers training and operational support to local charities. UWHH conducts research and works with key stakeholders to generate support for the not-for-profit sector. Each dollar raised is invested right back into the community. Today, 143,562 residents across Halton and Hamilton rely on 106 United Way supported programs for life-changing services. For more information and to donate visit: www.uwhh.ca.
