Modell’s Sporting Goods will be partnering with Volunteers of America of Delaware Valley in South Jersey, for the 2011 Operation Backpack Campaign
The goal of Operation Backpack is to raise 1,000 backpacks for children in need. Donations are also being accepted in their main offices in Collingswood at 235 White Horse Pike until September 6th, 2011. All donated backpacks and school supplies will be given to under privileged children.
Modell’s Sporting Goods will support Operation Backpack by utilizing (6) Modell’s locations as drop off spots for new backpacks and school supplies. The promotion will continue from now until September 6th. The Bustleton Bengals had 20 players from their youth football team to donate backpacks on behalf of Modell’s. The Bengals were surprised to find out that campaign spokesperson, Eagles All-Pro Quarterback, Mike Vick would be in attendance. Mike had the opportunity to thank the players by signing a few autographs and taking pictures.
The six Modell’s locations that are participating in Operation Backpack are:
In 1999 an inter-continental exchange program between two youth hockey programs, the Haverford Hawks and Finland’s Helsinki Vikings, began with a simple love of the sport. The program has now become an annual event, that had two Finnish youth ice hockey teams (ages 12-14) arrive in the Philadelphia area on March 19th. The visitors include 24 Finnish youth players and 21 Finnish adults.
Since the beginning, the efforts of players’ parents have resulted in a culturally rich experience for all involved. The teams alternate visiting each other’s countries every other year. This year, Hawks families will host boys from Finland while their parents lodge at a local hotel.
As a supporter of the event, a Modell’s private shopping event was scheduled from 8:00 – 9:00 AM on Monday March 21, 2011 at #28 Clifton Heights. In attendance were players from the Haverford Hawks and both Finland Viking youth teams as well as parents/guardians. The players and parents from Finland had an opportunity to pick up plenty of “local” gear, with Modell’s donating a portion of all the sales back to the Finland Exchange Program through their participation in Team Weeks Program.
A number of events for both parents and children are planned in conjunction with the ten day exchange program. Scheduled events include an ice hockey tournament, a Philadelphia Flyers game, a Flyers practice, tours of New York & Philadelphia, and shopping. As an added benefit through Modell’s, the Helsinki Vikings players are scheduled for a private meet & greet with the Philadelphia Flyers from Finland, Kimmo Timonen and Ville Leino, following their visit to Flyers practice on March 23rd.
On Thursday December 23rd, Modell’s did their part to show the holiday spirit by helping a family in need. The Jones family from South Philadelphia suffered a tragedy on Thanksgiving night when their home burned down while they were at a relatives for dinner. No one was injured, but the family lost everything except for the clothes on their backs. The mother, Christina Jones, was not sure how she would be able to provide a Christmas for her three young children. And with that her brother Monty-Gee stepped up and began reaching out to any company or organization that might be able to help.
Last week it was Danny Woodhead. This time it’s DeSean Jackson having some fun with his favorite fans. Let’s see how Philly fared with DeSean going undercover as “DJ”, a Modell’s Sporting Goods associate, trying to sell his own jersey!
In 1999 an inter-continental exchange program between two youth hockey programs, the Haverford Hawks and Finland’s Helsinki Vikings, began with a simple love of the sport. The program has now become an annual event, that had two Finnish youth ice hockey teams (ages 12-14) arrive in the Philadelphia area on March 19th. The visitors include 24 Finnish youth players and 21 Finnish adults. 
