FOX Sports West Partners with Ford Dealer for Local Food Drive, Pep Rally

To capitalize on high school football rivalry week in Southern California, FOX Sports West - in conjunction with season sponsors, Southern California Ford Dealers and Farmer John - hosted the inaugural "Spirit of Giving" pep rally to drum-up anticipation for the CIF-Southern Section Football Game of the Week: featuring Valencia and Hart high schools.

• 3-hour event hosted at Power Ford of Valencia Dealership
  
  
• Charitable component generated $26,000 in food donations for local food bank
  
  
• Respective cheer, dance, hip-hop teams & drumlines performed
  
  
• Farmer John served up hot dogs

PROMOTION

FOX Sports West worked hand-in-hand with Hart School District and both Valencia and Hart school administrations to amplify the details of the event. Additionally, the local business community embraced promotional efforts by disseminating event information by way of Santa Clarita's local radio, TV, online, social media outlets.

COMMUNITY CAN DRIVE

Positioned as the driving force behind the inaugural event, students, parents and administrators from the rival schools were encouraged to bring canned goods, benefiting the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry. In total, $26,000 worth of non-perishable food was donated, showcasing the overwhelming amount of support and school pride bestowed by the community. Hart HS supporters

came out victorious in the effort and will be featured in an exclusive vignette later in the season.  

“We are overwhelmed with the graciousness of the student bodies of both Hart and Valencia High Schools during this friendly competition to help those less fortunate in the Santa Clarita Valley.  We are also very appreciative of Fox Sports West and Ford for their community mindedness in organizing this event.”  - Belinda Crawford, executive director of the Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry

THE EXPERIENCE

To kick-off the festivities at Power Ford of Valencia, a local DJ supplied music while Farmer John offered up their famous hot dogs. On behalf of the school district, Chick-fil-a and Coca Cola also provided additional food and beverages. Positioned next to the food vendors, Ford assembled two car displays and offered free school themed hats in exchange for newsletter sign-ups. 

Click here to view the natural sights and sounds of the event.

PERFORMANCES

Led by FOX Sports West Prep Zone Analyst, Chris Rix, the Hart and Valencia cheer, dance and hip-hop teams performed throughout the night. To cap-off the evening, the drumlines came together in a "drum-off" competition followed by interviews with the Hart and Valencia's head football coaches.

"It is always a great experience to see a community come together for a great rivalry and a great cause." -   John Turner, Assistant Principal at Hart High


"Valencia High would like to thank Power Ford, Fox Sports West, Farmer John, Chickfila, and Coca Cola for sponsoring a wonderful event.  It was great to see so many students from both schools getting together having a great time." - Jeff Albert, ASB Director at Valencia High