NBAE / Getty Images Del Frisco's and the Bobcats have partnered to provide tickets to kids. Print RSS Sign up for E-news

September 10, 2008

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Take a child to a game and something magical happens. The moment they step inside, their eyes light up as they survey the scope of the arena. They can’t help but smile and laugh as Rufus entertains the crowd. They stare in wonder as they watch incredible athletes, who previously they had only seen on TV, up close and personal.

It’s an experience every child should have, but unfortunately for many, one that is not always possible.

But now, there is a way that thousands of children can experience the thrill and excitement of Bobcats basketball through a new program called the Del Frisco’s Challenge.

The Del Frisco’s Challenge is simple. It encourages corporations and citizens throughout Charlotte to make contributions that will be used to bring children to Time Warner Cable Arena to attend a Bobcats game.

“It’s a great program for everybody involved,” remarked Bobcats President and Chief Operating Officer Fred Whitfield as he helped launch the Challenge on September 10 at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House in Charlotte. “We’ve done something I think is very unique and created a program that will touch a lot of lives.”

To tip off the challenge, Del Frisco’s made the first contribution, presenting a $25,000 check to the Bobcats. That contribution is enough to send 4,250 kids to a game this season.

“I grew up here. I spent a lot of time in Charlotte and I learned a long time ago you really have to be part of the community,” remarked Rick Cheesman, the general manager of Del Frisco’s. “For you to accomplish goals, it’s best you partner up with people who share similar visions with what you have.”

By giving kids the opportunity to attend a game, the Bobcats and Del Frisco’s hope to help children realize that their dreams can come true.

“With the program, you are trying to provide inspiration that can spark the hopes and dreams of our youth,” remarked Cheesman “We want Time Warner Cable Arena to be a place that children feel like they belong. We want the Bobcats to be a team that children feel like they can cheer for and root for in person. Finally, we want to let those children know that there are people out there who care enough to make this dream a reality.”

Corporations and citizens can join Del Frisco’s in showing how much they care by choosing one of several donation packages.

“We have different levels that individuals and companies can join and invest their money and know that every dollar is going to give kids a chance to come out and enjoy Bobcats games,” explained Whitfield.

As a thank you for supporting the Challenge, Del Frisco’s and the Bobcats have included some special incentives with the donation packages.

“When you donate to the charitable foundation, 10 percent of whatever you spend is given back to you in a gift certificate from Del Frisco’s,” remarked Cheesman. “The program is tax deductible, so there’s a lot of incentives to why you can share a little bit of magic with the children by allowing them to be part of the Bobcats games.”

The incentives don’t stop there though.

“The neat thing is we actually have a contest and for the people who donate the most, there are some wonderful prize packages,” added Cheesman “First prize is you get to fly anywhere the Bobcats play, see a game and go to a Del Frisco’s restaurant in that particular city. Second prize is coming in here and having dinner at the local Del Frisco’s and then being able to go to a game.”

While the prizes and incentives are a nice bonus, the biggest reward comes from giving back to the kids.

Takisha Darden from A Better World, an organization that works with inner-city youth, attended the launch of the Del Frisco’s Challenge and talked about how much this program would mean to the kids she works with.

“With this program, the Del Frisco’s Challenge, it gives the children the opportunity to go to games, root for their team and root for their heroes. It also gives them an opportunity to go outside of their own neighborhoods and see life in the actual city of Charlotte. It will give them a sense of camaraderie among their peers, groups of people, different diversities of people. It also gives them an opportunity to see a game live. It’s very beneficial for them.”

Wanting kids to feel part of the community is one of the main reasons why Cheesman and Del Frisco’s wanted to join with the Bobcats in this effort.

“My relationship with Fred Whitfield goes way back,” he said. “It really starts with being sports fans. We’ve often times talked about how when we were young, some of the best times we ever had were spending time with our family and friends at sporting events. I’ve been lucky enough as I’ve grown older to be able to share those same sort of events with my son.”

“You get a sense of family and friendship when you go and you get a sense of community which is perhaps the thing that has stuck with me the longest. When you go to the games, it’s a magical thing for some impressionable children and it can really have an impact on their lives as they grow up and become part of the community.”

The program also encourages kids to make positive choices in their lives.

“The biggest component of how the challenge works is that these kids have to earn the right to get these tickets,” said Whitfield. “It’s not just giving tickets away. It will build character in the kids and help them have a goal. It helps them expand their dreams. When you are up close and personal and can see not only great athletes out on the court performing, but you can see very successful executives at an organization, it (shows) these kids they can have big dreams and big goals.”

If you would like more information on how you can participate in the Del Frisco’s Challenge, please click here.

If your non-profit group would like to be considered to receive tickets from the Del Frisco’s Challenge, please click here to send us your information.