FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Parker White
Founder/Executive Director
(336) 709-9649
parker@backpackbeginnings.org

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 24, 2015) — The Jimmie Johnson Foundation announced today that BackPack Beginnings (BPB) is one of five recipients of a $25,000 Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grant. “We are thrilled to receive such a generous grant!  The grant will allow us to feed 167 children on the weekends for an entire school year.  We hope the exposure from Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope will bring greater public awareness to childhood hunger,” said Parker White, BPB Founder and Executive Director.

In addition to BackPack Beginnings the following charities comprised the 2015 Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grant recipients:

  • 9 Dots in Los Angeles
  • BackPack Beginnings in Greensboro, North Carolina
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Siouxland in Sioux City, Iowa
  • Carolina Raptor Center in Charlotte, North Carolina
  • The Be Kind People Project in Phoenix

Non-profit organizations from around the country were nominated for the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grants.  Ten semi-finalists were chosen from the nominations, and the five winners were selected via public vote.  Approximately 2.2 million votes were cast during the week-long voting period.

“It was exciting to see this year’s Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program unfold,” said Jimmie Johnson.  “The semi-finalist charities did an outstanding job of rallying their supporters to secure votes.  It was a tough, hard fought competition between 10 very deserving charities.  Chani (wife) and I are thrilled that the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, in partnership with Blue Bunny, is able to support the great work of the five winners.”

In addition to a $25,000 grant, each of the five winners will receive a Blue Bunny ice cream party and special recognition on Johnson’s race helmet during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on June 7, 2015 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway.  To date, the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program has contributed more than $685,000 to 76 different charities.

“Congratulations to the five winners of the 2015 Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grants,” stated Mike Wells, President & CEO, Wells Enterprises, Inc., maker of Blue Bunny ice cream. “The rallying effort by the fans and supporters of the 10 semi-finalists is always impressive and illustrates the energy and passion around the purpose and mission of each organization. It is an honor to help each of them further the important work they are committed to around education.”

For additional information about the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program, visit www.helmetofhope.org.

About BackPack Beginnings

BackPack Beginnings, founded in 2010 by Parker White, a native of Greensboro and mother of 2 children, is a 100 percent volunteer-run and donor-driven organization. What started out as a feeding program in one school feeding 50 children has grown to a multi-program organization serving approximately 3,000 children a year. During the 2014-15 school year, the Food BackPack Program sends nutritious, kid-friendly food home on the weekends to over 1,300 children in 25 Guilford County Title 1 schools and Head Start programs. If you would like to find out more or support BackPack Beginnings through in-kind donations, funding or volunteering, please contact Parker White at parker@backpackbeginnings.org or visit www.backpackbeginnings.org.

About the Jimmie Johnson Foundation

Chandra and Jimmie Johnson launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in February 2006. Johnson, the six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, drives the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet SS in NASCAR’s top series. The mission of the Foundation is to assist children, families, and communities in need throughout the United States. The Foundation has committed more than $7.7 million to various charities. The Foundation currently focuses on K-12 public education.  For additional information on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, please visit www.JimmieJohnsonFoundation.org.

About Blue Bunny

Wells Enterprises, Inc., maker of Blue Bunny ice cream, is the largest privately held, family-owned ice cream and frozen treat manufacturer in the United States. The company was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, the Ice Cream Capital of the World. Wells produces more than 1,100 ice cream and frozen novelty products, including its signature brand, Blue Bunny® and the iconic Bomb Pop®. Wells also manufactures the licensed frozen treat brand Weight Watchers® frozen novelties. Visit bluebunny.com.