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02.28.2011 Panthers owner matches Howard Levine’s $250,000 challenge gift
Jerry Richardson, owner and founder of the Carolina Panthers, has matched the $250,000 challenge gift made by Family Dollar Stores Inc. CEO Howard Levine in mid-February.
On Feb. 18, an article ran in The Charlotte Observer announcing Mr. Levine’s personal challenge gift. By mid-morning, the Red Cross received a letter hand-written by Mr. Richardson noting that he and his wife, Rosalind, would like to match Levine’s donation.
“The Red Cross is an organization Rosalind and I both have respected and admired for as long as we can remember,” said Richardson. “We feel this is an incredible opportunity for us to become a small part of this humanitarian tradition. There is no greater service than volunteers who restore health and save lives through human compassion and courage.”
“I’m honored and delighted by Jerry’s generosity,” said Mr. Levine. “His gift is another endorsement of the work of the Red Cross, and an acknowledgement of the continued need facing the organization.”
Local Red Cross leadership notes that while these gifts are a large step toward making up a potential $1 million deficit this fiscal year, the demand in our communities for Red Cross services continues to increase.
“People like Mr. Levine and Mr. Richardson are inspiring others to give, and that’s exactly what we need right now,” said Iris Horton, American Red Cross, Carolina Piedmont Region Board of Directors Chair. “It’s important for people in our community to keep the American Red Cross at the forefront of their charitable giving and continue to support our mission by making a monetary contribution.”
In addition to Richardson’s gift, the local Red Cross has received an outpouring of support in response to Levine’s challenge. To date, more than $6,000 in donations have come in to “Meet the Challenge.”
These gifts will be used in our communities to:
- Assist families affected by a home fire or other disaster
- Teach life-saving skills such as CPR to thousands of people
- Connect military members with their loved ones during times of emergency
- Preparing our youth with skills such as basic first aid
To help “Meet the Challenge”:
- Click here
- Call 704.347.8328
- Mail a check made out to American Red Cross, Carolina Piedmont Region, to: P.O. Box 36507, Charlotte, NC 28236 – write “Meet the Challenge” in the memo line
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.