West Conshohocken, PA (January 14, 2014) - SMG-managed arenas and stadiums recorded a banner year of community involvement projects and initiatives throughout the United States in 2014. Over 1,000 SMG employees in venues across the country donated more than 12,500 community service hours, made non-profit cash donations of over $400,000, donated more than $2 million in tickets to charities and non-profits in the local communities they serve, donated more than $1 million in venue rentals, and created over 35 separate food and toy drives.
“In addition to managing venues on a world-class level, our employees are also involved in the communities where they live. Improving the quality of life for those in the cities we serve is of utmost importance,” said Doug Thornton, Executive Vice President of SMG Arenas & Stadiums. “I celebrate the community service of our employees,” added Thornton.
Some highlights of the projects SMG employees created and participated in their local communities:
- Chef Devon with SMG Savor/BOK Center in Tulsa Oklahoma coordinated “Chef Aid” to raise money for tornado victims in Oklahoma
- In Topeka Kansas, SMG employees participated in the Lifehouse Child Advocacy Book Drive
- At the Dunkin Donuts Center, SMG employees feed over 2,000 economically challenged citizens for the Holidays
- In Lincoln Nebraska, SMG employees participated in 2014 Hunger Rally packing some 40,000 meals benefitting the hungry in SE Nebraska
- SMG employees in Stockton California partnered with several community organizations to collect 6,000 coats, blankets, and socks that were donated as part of “Stockton Cares”
- In Peoria Illinois SMG employees at the Peoria Civic Center Cultural Diversity Committee hosted the 2014 Noche De Fiesta Festival which raised much needed funds for the Peoria Hispanic Organization
- SMG employees at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita Kansas participated for the fourth consecutive year in Habitat for Humanity’s Community Challenge Build. In addition employees volunteered at the Kansas Food Bank packing backpacks for the Food 4 Kids program
Throughout the year in cities that SMG serves employees donate their time, talent, and treasures to many non-profits including those such as: Ronald McDonald House, Make A Wish Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Salvation Army, March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Red Cross, and many others.
“When our venues donate millions of dollars of tickets annually to events in their communities the experience is sometimes life changing for those that are economically challenged,” said Jim McCue, Senior VP of Entertainment for SMG.
