2020–2021 Community Impact Report a Message from Valerie Camillo

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

2020–2021 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT
A MESSAGE

FROM VALERIE CAMILLO

JULY 1, 2021

This past year reinforced what we’ve always known: that our business is about so much more than sports and entertainment. We bring people together, create lasting bonds and memories, and help define the communities in which we operate. That’s an incredible blessing, and it comes with real responsibility that we take seriously.

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That’s why giving back has always been a central thread in Comcast Spectacor’s rich history, and over the last year, that was no diﬀerent. In the face of a once-in-a-century global pandemic, we were able to make a significant impact on our communities. Over the course of the last year, we:

COVID-19 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

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• Supported frontline workers with meals, resources, and more; • Launched an unprecedented vaccination campaign that made a real diﬀerence in Philadelphia and throughout the region;
• Held innovative fundraisers such as the Virtual Gritty 5K and Commemorative Tickets to raise funds that were donated back into the community;
• Launched the first cancer grant program–giving out $75,000 in funding to support individuals and families living with cancer; • Invested fundraising dollars in local organizations growing the sport of hockey; • Awarded a half-million dollars in advertising assets to local businesses who were struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic;

FLYERS CHARITIES FUNDRAISERS CHARITABLE GIVING HIGHLIGHTS COMMUNITY EVENTS & INITIATIVES
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COMMUNITY NIGHTS AT WELLS FARGO CENTER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

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• Started a new youth ball-hockey program aimed at financial accessibility; • And so much more.

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None of what we accomplished over the past year would have been possible without the dedication of our incredible employees, whose commitment and passion shone through more than ever before. As we look back on a challenging year, we’re excited, determined, and optimistic about what the future holds, and our commitment to the city of Philadelphia and the entire region is stronger than ever.

Thank you for all of your support,

VALERIE CAMILLO

President of Business Operations for the Philadelphia Flyers and Wells Fargo Center

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COVID- 19

COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philadelphia Flyers took action in the community to honor and support our brave first responders and those most significantly impacted by the pandemic.

COMMUNITY IMPACT RECAP

Flyers Charities made a $250,000 donation to

Philabundance to provide more than 160,000 meals to communities impacted by COVID-19.
The Flyers announced Hockey Hall of Famer and Flyers Alum Eric Lindros as an oﬀicial team ambassador. Lindros kicked oﬀ the partnership by joining the hockey club in participating in the ALL IN Challenge, a digital fundraiser

that raised $27,000 for COVID-19 hunger relief.

Gritty, the Flyers and partners Brûlée Catering, Chick-Fil-A

and Coca-Cola worked together to deliver nearly 2,000

meals to frontline workers, veterans, and other impacted communities throughout lockdown.

Gritty gave families in Delaware County a much-needed quarantine surprise as he traveled through Media, PA

atop a firetruck to spread joy during quarantine.
The Flyers loaned General Motors high-tech sanitation equipment, normally used for hockey gear, so that the company could sterilize face masks. With the help of these machines,

GM was able to produce over 1.5 million masks a month.

The Flyers and Brûlée Catering teamed up to deliver take-

home family dinners to working moms at Penn Medicine

in celebration of Mother’s Day.
Flyers Charities teamed up with Abramson Senior Care to set up a call program, Flyers Phone Mates, which paired Comcast Spectacor employees with senior residents to

create opportunities for companionship and conversation during this time of isolation. Dozens of employees

participated in the program, including Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault and Flyers Alumnus Danny Briere.

The Flyers donated t-shirts to SewFaceMasks Philly,

an organization that made masks for frontline workers and community members.

The organization launched Flyers for Good Resource

Guide as an online resource for Flyers fans to find new ways to connect with each other and their communities while in quarantine. The guide included volunteer and donation opportunities, at-home family activities, and new ways to experience Hockey at Home.

The Flyers and Flyers Charities sold team-branded face masks to support local COVID-19 eﬀorts, raising $63,000 for the cause.
Flyers Charities donated $10,000 to the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium to help oﬀset vaccination site

costs as part of the Take Your Shot campaign.

$350,000 IN
1.5 MILLION

MASKS

2,000+ MEALS

CASH DONATIONS

to frontline workers, veterans,

to help vulnerable communities

during the pandemic were able to be produced, each month, with the help of the Flyers’ sanitation equipment and other impacted communities throughout lockdown

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FRONTLINE FAMILY

Rachel Garraway-Perez

FRONTLINE FAMILIES

To honor and thank local workers for their sacrifices during the pandemic, the Flyers Frontline Families powered by BELFOR recognition program launched to host and honor a select frontline worker and their family during each home game of the 2020-2021 season. As part of the program, the frontline workers and their families were invited to enjoy live Flyers hockey from within Wells Fargo Center. At the start of the season, while the arena was still closed to the public, these honored guests were the only lucky fans, besides Gritty, that got the watch the games live and in person. The program received nearly 1,400 nominations and hosted 112 frontline essential workers and their family members.

COMMUNITY RESPONSE

HOMETOWN ASSIST PROGRAM OVERVIEW

In August of 2020, the Flyers awarded $500,000 in advertising and promotional assets to five local businesses impacted by

COVID-19 through the Flyers Hometown Assist Program. The program received nearly 250 applicants in a one-week window, with the following five business being selected as awardees:

FRONTLINE FAMILY

Thao and Mike Nguyen

Byrne’s Tavern (3301 Richmond St, Port Richmond) –

Francis Byrne opened the tavern doors in 1978 and has been continually serving the Port Richmond neighborhood for 42 years. For four generations, the tavern has been the go-to spot in Port Richmond for celebrating special occasions. Through the years, Byrne’s Tavern has given back to the community through dedicated fundraisers and sponsorship of neighborhood athletic teams.

Rock Solid Contracting and Development (Wilmington,

DE) – Norman M. Oliver founded Rock Solid Contracting and Development in 2006 with a vision to help improve the infrastructure of inner cities while providing employment and training to those who are underserved and impoverished. Norman looks to continue the company’s mission based on principles of equality, experience, and service.

TAKE YOUR SHOT CAMPAIGN

As the COVID-19 vaccine started to become more readily available to the general population, we launched our Take Your Shot campaign to educate Philadelphians about the vaccination process and encourage them to get vaccinated. The Flyers were the first franchise in the NHL and the only professional sports team in Pennsylvania to launch a wide-ranging COVID-19 vaccination program.

FRONTLINE FAMILY

Steve Footit

Philadelphia Hair Company (5805 Germantown Ave, Northwest Philadelphia) – A community leader in the

Germantown neighborhood, Philadelphia Hair Company (PHC) has been providing classic barber and hair services to men, women, and children in the area since 1990. Oﬀering more than just haircuts, PHC has taken great pride in its mentorship eﬀorts with young men in the community, working with local youth organizations and schools to gather, collaborate, and build a stronger Philadelphia community.

BYRNE’S TAVERN

Owner Francis Byrne & Sister Cathy Byrne

The Flyers and Gritty joined the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium for their walk-up vaccine clinic at Temple University’s Liacouras Center. During the visit, Flyers Charities donated $10,000 to the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium to help oﬀset vaccination site costs.

FRONTLINE FAMILY

Dr. Christopher Wong

PHILADELPHIA HAIR CO.

Owner Mark Lightfoot & Family

The Flyers and Gritty also surprised patients and health care workers during a vaccine clinic run by Penn Medicine in Delaware County.

Finally, in partnership with Penn Medicine, the Flyers hosted an in-game vaccine site at Wells Fargo Center during our final home game of the regular season – nearly 100 employees and ticket holders were vaccinated during the game.

Denise’s Delicacies (2916 N 22nd St, North Philadelphia) –

This second-generation, family-owned & operated business is a North Philadelphia staple known for delectable pastries, cakes, and treats. Originally founded by Denise Gause back in 1991, the shop has been a force for good, making financial and in-kind donations to numerous community grassroots organizations, events, and churches.

Noir Restaurant and Bar (1909 E Passyunk Ave, South

Philadelphia) – The husband-wife duo of Marco and Donna Marie Decotiis run this East Passyunk restaurant serving homemade Italian food with a Montreal flare. Marco, a Canadian transplant, and Donna Marie, a South Philly native, represent a fusion of “The North” and the City of Brotherly Love, which perfectly represents the make-up of several members of the Flyers’ coaching staﬀ, players, and alumni.

$500,000 IN
MARKETING ASSETS

to five local businesses impacted by COVID-19

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6FLYERS CHARITIES

FUNDRAISERS

SWEEPSTAKES

50/50 RAFFLE PROGRAM

ONLINE AUCTION
COMMEMORATIVE TICKETS

New this year, Flyers Charities launched our first–ever sweepstakes fundraiser. The first sweepstakes gave fans the opportunity to win a portrait of Gritty, entitled “Gritty Reclined,” painted by artist Benjamin Davis. In the second sweepstakes, fans could enter to win 20 pieces of signed hockey gear and Flyers swag.
The 50/50 program is one of Flyers Charities’ signature fundraisers, which raises important funds to support the local community. All funds for the 50/50 program are raised in-game, with 50% of the pot going to one lucky winner.

Flyers Charities hosted numerous auctions throughout the season, giving fans the opportunity to bid on featured items from Flyers players and alumni. Some of the most popular auctions of the season included our specialty auctions in celebration of Pride and Hockey Fights Cancer Night, featuring sticks used by players during warm-ups.
Flyers Charities introduced Commemorative Tickets to celebrate milestone achievements and important games throughout the season, while raising money for important local causes and engaging fans during a season with limited capacity restrictions.

50/50 RAFFLE WINNERS

May 11, 2021

GRITTY & SWEEPSTAKES GIVEAWAY PAINTING

“Gritty Reclined” by artist Ben Davis

PETSMART PLAYERS & PETS CALENDAR

Each year, in partnership with PetSmart, Flyers Charities produces a calendar featuring the Flyers players and their pets. This year’s calendar brought an inside look at players’ lives with at–home photos of them and their furry friends.

MYSTERY PUCKS

The 2021 Mystery Puck Collection featured highly anticipated, limited edition designs celebrating the return of the 2021 season, the Spectrum and Pride. Each puck was signed by one current Flyers team member and wrapped as a fun surprise for fans to open.

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FLYERS CUP

West Chester East

CHARITABLE GIVING

COMMUNITY EVENTS

HIGHLIGHTS

& INITIATIVES

SNIDER HOCKEY

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF PHILADELPHIA

This year, Flyers Charities partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region to support one of their core programs, Ronald McDonald Camp. At Ronald McDonald Camp, children with cancer and their siblings can enjoy just being kids. It’s a week of fun where they can

experience new activities. To support this initiative RMHC received a $25,000 grant.

In 2021, Flyers Charities made a $100,000 contribution to the organization for the sport of hockey to educate and empower under-resourced youth in Philadelphia. On May 4, the Flyers hosted 40 graduating high school seniors at a game to commemorate their graduation from Snider Hockey. These graduates have exciting post-secondary plans, including attending college and trade schools this fall. 17 students from the Class of 2021 will be attending college with full or near full scholarships as part of Snider Hockey’s Goals & Assists Scholarship program.

COMMUNITY CARAVAN

In response to the pandemic, the Flyers’ annual Community Caravan pivoted from an in-person, hands-on fan festival to a socially distant traveling pep rally to celebrate the team’s 2020 playoﬀ run. Throughout the summer, the Flyers Community Caravan made stops in North Wildwood, NJ; Langhorne, PA; Glenside, PA; Sea Isle City, NJ; Warminster, PA; and Blackwood, NJ.

FLYERS CUP

Downingtown

PLAYSTREETS

During summer 2020, Flyers Charities donated $25,000 to support the annual Playstreets Program. Playstreets is a camp-like experience that closes select, designated streets to traﬀic so that kids have a safe place to play while school is out. A key feature of the program is the nutritious meals and snacks provided to children each weekday. Each Friday during the summer, Gritty and Flyers staﬀ visited several neighborhood streets in Philadelphia to encourage kids to get outside and play.

FLYERS CUP
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY OF EASTERN PA

On February 4, the Flyers and Flyers Charities joined the Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware Region of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center to host an interactive and inspirational broadcast event honoring cancer patients and survivors on World Cancer Day. The virtual Facebook Live event, Bringing Light to Patients on World Cancer Day, shared the messages of hope and strength to viewers actively going through cancer treatments. LLS received a $25,000 grant from Flyers Charities to support this event.
In April 2021, the Flyers hosted the Flyers Cup Scholastic Championships which featured 40 teams in four divisions. This year’s Flyers Cup marks the first year that all tournament games were webcast.

AED DONATION

Gritty, Park Volunteers & Flyers Staff

NHL FUTURE GOALS TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Donald Conaway, Jr. – Local teacher Donald Conaway from

Eisenhower Middle School in Norristown, PA, was voted as the NHL’s Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Month in March 2021. Flyers Community Relations staﬀ surprised Mr. Conaway outside his school, with a jersey and a special congratulatory video message from his favorite player, Carter Hart, along with a $10,000 technology grant from SAP.

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR

In partnership with Penn Medicine and the Simon’s Heart Foundation, an AED device was provided to FDR Park during its annual Love Your Park Day.

BRINGING HOPE HOME

Flyers Charities is proud to partner with Bringing Hope Home to support The Light of Hope Family Program which provides critical financial support to families with cancer in the Greater Philadelphia area. To support this initiative Flyers Charities awarded Bringing Hope Home with a $25,000 grant.

JERSEY DONATIONS

Throughout the season, the Flyers donated a number of Flyers game jerseys, including two personalized and

autographed Flyers jerseys that were donated to families of two local children who passed away during this hockey season.
Mr. Conaway was one of three finalists for the Future Goals Most Valuable Teacher of the Year award, and voting took place during the first week of May. The Flyers hosted him in a suite at the May 10 game and announced during the first TV timeout that he was the winner, making him the first-ever teacher from the Philadelphia area to win this prestigious award. His school also received an additional $20,000 technology grant from SAP.

HELP HOME LIVE BIKE DONATION

Gritty and Jackson Epstein

COMMUNITY TICKET GRANTS

UNITED HEROES LEAGUE

The Flyers were able to support over 30 local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with tickets to attend to several home games this season.
The Flyers provided 100 sets of new hockey equipment to the children of local armed forces members.

HELP HOPE LIVE BIKE DONATION

In November 2020, the Philadelphia Flyers, Flyers Charities, and Gritty helped surprise Jackson, a local 12-year-old with central core disease, with a fitted, Flyers-themed bike in partnership with Help Hope Live. Help Hope Live is a nonprofit national organization dedicated to raising money for medical bills and expenses through crowdfunding.

$100,000

$25,000

$75,000

CONTRIBUTION

DONATION

IN GRANTS

to support their annual Playstreets
Program which encourages kids to get outside and play to support local nonprofits that assist families battling cancer to Snider Hockey to support their mission to educate and empower under-resourced youth in Philadelphia

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To participate in the race, fans were encouraged to sign up and run or walk the 3.1-mile race around their hometowns, cities, and neighborhoods in their best Gritty-inspired getup.

FLYERS CHARITIES’ ANNUAL GRITTY 5K WENT VIRTUAL IN 2020 DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC, BUT THAT CERTAINLY DIDN’T TAKE THE FUN OUT OF THIS FAN-FAVORITE EVENT.

To engage fans during the virtual event, participants were encouraged to submit photos of their festive outfits and awarded prizes for “Best in Fur,” “Best Bridge,” “Best Photoshop,” and more.

In total, 3,000 participants from all 50 states and 10 countries participated in the virtual race.

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ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE NIGHT

May 4, 2021 – The Flyers kicked oﬀ their Asian Heritage celebration with an in-game recognition of past, present, and future perspectives of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the NHL.

COMMUNITY NIGHTS

AT WELLS FARGO CENTER

Flyers Charities made a $5,000 donation to the Philadelphia Suns to support them in empowering youth and young adults to transform their communities through athletics, service, and social responsibility.

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER NIGHT PRESENTED BY TOYOTA

April 18, 2021 – Hockey Fights Cancer Night hit especially close to home this year as Oskar Lindblom announced that he remains in remission following an Ewing’s Sarcoma diagnosis back in December of 2019.
The Flyers also honored Thao Nguyen, a pharmacist at Pottstown

Hospital who played a pivotal role in getting community members vaccinated, as the BELFOR Frontline Family of the game.
Tony, a 17-year-old battling cancer, had his Make-A-Wish fulfilled by being signed to a one-day contract with the Flyers, participated in the team’s oﬀicial practice with Oskar Lindblom, and joined winger Jakub Voracek for a night of friendly competition at Dave & Buster’s.
Through the Community Ticket Grant Program, Flyers invited various groups to attend the game including the Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition and the National Association of Asian American Professionals.
Cancer WHO, a local minority–ran cancer organization, was awarded a $5,000 donation from Toyota.

To round out the night, Flyers Charities announced donations of $25,000 each to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Philadelphia and Bringing Hope Home. They were recognized in-game for their eﬀorts to support families battling cancer.

MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT PRESENTED BY TOYOTA

May 10, 2021 – The Flyers hosted their annual Military Appreciation Night in partnership with Toyota to honor, celebrate, and thank active military members and veterans for their service.

PRIDE NIGHT

During the game, individuals from the U.S. Navy, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Pennsylvania Air Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Army were honored during an in-arena recognition.
May 4, 2021 – During Pride Night, fans were greeted with a vibrantly decorated arena, featuring the iconic rainbow hues representing the LGBTQ+ community at every turn.

Flyers Charities also made a $5,000 donation to the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors Hockey Club to support the programming and resources needed to run their team. The Flyers Warriors are a hockey program dedicated to injured and disabled U.S. Military Veterans.
As part of the celebratory night, Flyers Charities donated $5,000 to the William Way LGBT Community Center to support their work to encourage, support, and advocate for the wellbeing of sexual and gender minorities.