KANNAPOLIS — The famed Concord-A.L. Brown high school football series is not the only gridiron rivalry between the cities of Concord and Kannapolis. On Saturday employees of both cities will join forces for some friendly competition and to raise awareness and funds for United Way of Central Carolinas.
The public is invited to attend this fun family event and join the cause to help those in the community who need it most.
The cities, whose employees are in the midst of organizational United Way campaigns, will face off at Kannapolis Middle School in two flag football games beginning at 1 p.m. The first game will feature teams of less experienced but equally spirited athletes; the second game at 2:30 p.m. will have players seeking a more competitive environment. There are no age or gender restrictions, and the only requirement for the players is employment with their respective city.
Admission to the game will be free, but attendee donations to United Way will be accepted. In addition, food and beverage concessions will be sold with proceeds going to United Way.
“We’re proud to have our coworkers volunteer their time, talent and treasure to support United Way of Central Carolinas,” said Brian Hiatt, Concord city manager. “Our coworkers have supported United Way’s member agencies in Cabarrus County for a long time, even through the economic conditions of the last few years.”
Coworkers in each of Concord’s departments are working together to coordinate the city’s campaign. The motto of Concord’s United Way effort for this year is “Build the Team,” with a football theme and a focus on increasing the number of coworkers making payroll deduction contributions.
Kannapolis’ “Get in the Game” United Way campaign is an extension of the city’s Let’s Move! program to fight childhood obesity and encourage healthy living, Kannapolis City Manager Mike Legg said.
“This friendly competition encourages our coworkers to be active in their everyday lives while supporting the United Way and the many agencies that depend on the United Way for funding assistance,” he said.
The suggestion of a flag football game between the two cities was the idea of Kannapolis Public Works Warehouse Manager Jerome Blakeney, who is coordinating and leading practices for the Kannapolis team.