(SUNRISE, FL) – Fox Sports Net Florida and the Florida Panthers today announced the launch of the second annual FACE-OFF FOR FAMILIES, a season-long community service program benefiting a variety of local charities and causes throughout South Florida.
On October 10, Fox Sports Net and the Florida Panthers will debut the first in a series of six call-to-action public service announcements to air on the network throughout the season. The PSAs will encourage viewers to participate in the various events and opportunities that comprise the FACE-OFF FOR FAMILIES program, whose mission is to find ways to fight against prejudice, hunger, poverty, and disease throughout South Florida. (NOTE: Videotape copies of the FACE-OFF FOR FAMILIES public service announcements will be made available for review as they are completed).
FACE-OFF FOR FAMILIES will feature five opportunities during the Panthers' season for fans and viewers to support a number of charitable efforts. To kick-off the program, FACE-OFF FOR FAMILIES is promoting the commemorative "Unity Puck", created as a poignant reminder of the tragic events of September 11. The specially designed pucks – which feature the Florida Panthers logo and the United States flag – are currently available at Panthers home games or online (unitypucks@floridapanthers.com) in exchange for a donation of $10 or more with all proceeds benefiting the Sun-Sentinel Disaster Relief Fund.
"The primary goal of FACE-OFF FOR FAMILIES is to reach out to the South Florida community and use all the resources we have to bring key areas of need to the forefront," noted Larry Hoepfner, Fox Sports Net Florida's Vice President of Marketing and Affiliate Relations. "In partnership with the Panthers, we'll enlist the help of South Florida hockey fans and neighbors to support our campaign against unfortunate realities like illness and intolerance."
Other FACE-OFF FOR FAMILIES efforts will include: an annual Thanksgiving food drive in conjunction with the South Florida Toyota Dealers benefiting the Daily Bread Food Bank in South Florida; a holiday toy drive, providing gifts to thousands of underprivileged children through Toys for Tots; a celebrity cookbook fundraiser benefiting the Florida Panthers Foundation; and Kids Night Out II – a fun-filled evening in March for ill and disadvantaged children representing various local charitable organizations. Last season, FACE-OFF FOR FAMILIES' inaugural Kids Night Out event enabled over 3,000 children to enjoy a Panthers home hockey game.
"The Florida Panthers are pleased to face-off for families with Fox Sports Net," said Mike Hanson, Director of Communications and Broadcasting for the Panthers. "Our commitment to the community has always been strong, and this initiative and partnership with Fox Sports Net helps reinforce our dedication to helping those in need."
Fox Sports Net's veteran play-by-play voice of the Panthers, Jeff Rimer, will once again serve as the spokesperson for FACE-OFF FOR FAMILIES. Throughout the season, Panthers players, including left wing Bill Lindsay, right wing Paul Laus, and center Kevyn Adams, will join him as they bring messages of compassion, assistance, and hope to South Floridians.
Fox Sports Net Florida reaches more than 3.8 million households in Florida. Fox Sports Net Florida is managed by Rainbow Sports Networks, a division of Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. Fox Sports Net Florida's programming includes Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Devil Rays; the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers; the University of Miami, and the University of South Florida, along with select NASCAR and PGA Tour coverage.
Fox Sports Net reaches 77 million households nationwide and is a service of National Sports Partners, equally owned by Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc. and Fox Entertainment Group. Rainbow Sports Networks incorporates Rainbow's 50% ownership of Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports National Advertising and the ownership and management of Fox Sports Net regional networks in five of the nation's largest markets: Chicago, Florida, Ohio, New England and San Francisco.
Contact:
Kali Mogul
954-845-9994
kmogul@rainbow-media.com