Despite Lockout, Panthers Still Giving to Community

With the NFL lockout more than three months in, the workout and training facilities inside Bank of America Stadium are probably collecting dust. But since the players for the Carolina Panthers aren't allowed to use their weight room, the team has decided to donate the equipment. Okay so, the lockout doesn't have anything to do with that--I just thought I'd poke fun at the irony. The Panthers organization is doing a charitable thing with its High School Weight Room Makeover.

The Panthers, who have a 9,000-square-foot weight room, will donate $250,000 worth of equipment to four high schools in North and South Carolina. The winning high school athletic programs will receive the actual weight training equipment previously used by the Panthers for the team's strength and conditioning program. In addition to lower and upper body equipment, each school will get more than 1,000 pounds in free weights. The equipment has been expertly maintained and is said to be in excellent condition. All high schools in the Carolinas are eligible to apply by the July 15 deadline. Click here for more details and for the application.

The Carolina Panthers at Alexander Graham Middle School last year for the Play 60 Fit City Challenge. Courtesy of Panthers.com.

Even though the NFL lockout has been labeled as billionaires (team owners) vs. millionaires (players) and being too greedy to come to an agreement on how to split $9 billion in revenue, teams and players are usually very charitable in their cities. The Panthers do a lot for the community (www.panthers.com/community). In addition to this weight room makeover grant, the Panthers and Fisher Athletic will award 10 equipment grants, each with a retail value of $1,000, to youth football organizations and middle and high schools in the Carolinas. The grants are to provide new and advanced equipment and to promote increased participation in football. The deadline to apply for this grant is July 22. Click here for more details.

Lastly, the Panthers along with the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas are hosting their fourth annual "I Bleed Black & Blue For My Community" blood drive. It takes place Thursday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Bank of America Stadium. All donors will receive a special T-shirt and be eligible to win Panthers memorabilia. Stadium tours will be given at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for pre-registered donors, and Panthers mascot Sir Purr will make appearances throughout the day. Come out and support this blood drive, which will benefit 19 area hospitals. Click here for more details.

Individual Panthers players do a lot of good as well, and I often chronicle it on this blog. But it sure would be nice if they could get back to playing soon.