Fiesta Bowl Charities Operation Santa Gifts Holiday Shopping Spree to 51 Children from Luke Air Force Base with a Deployed Parent

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Dec. 4, 2024) – Fiesta Bowl Charities has teamed up with DICK’s Sporting Goods and Fighter Country Foundation to spread holiday cheer with a festive shopping spree for 51 children from Luke Air Force Base with an active, deployed parent.

In the eighth annual Operation Santa partnership with Fighter Country Foundation, a nonprofit that is dedicated to supporting the Luke Air Force Base community, each child received a $300 DICK’s Sporting Goods gift card to spend at the Arrowhead Towne Center location in Glendale. Fiesta Bowl staff and volunteers accompanied the children to assist them in their shopping spree. The evening also included dinner provided by Rudy’s BBQ and holiday craft activities.

“The holidays are the best time of year and Operation Santa makes the holidays brighter for children who are having to celebrate without selfless family members admirably serving our country,” said Fiesta Bowl Chief of Staff and Vice President of Community Investment Kristina Chumpol. “Together with Fighter Country Foundation and DICK’s Sporting Goods, it is so rewarding to see the smiles on these children’s faces, while also celebrating all of the families at Luke Air Force Base who sacrifice for our country.”

Since its inception in 2006, Fighter Country Foundation has been the primary support and advocacy group for families at Luke Air Force Base.

“Our Partnership with Fiesta Bowl Charities goes back decades,” Ron Sites, President & CEO of Fighter Country Foundation, said. “It extends from the Fiesta Bowl Parade, where hundreds of Airmen and FCF reps hand out flags along the parade route, to Fiesta Bowl Charities providing a new football field to Luke AFB, Fiesta Bowl reps volunteering to support the FCF Back to School Bash, and ultimately our favorite event of the year—Operation Santa. We always love working with Fiesta Bowl Charities because our relationship leads to more robust programming, which enhances the quality of life at Luke AFB.”

DICK’s Sporting Goods’ contribution aims to alleviate financial burdens and support those who serve by allowing children to select their own holiday gifts.

“This is truly one of my favorite events of the year, to be able to be a part of a special night to thank the brave men and women who serve our country around the holidays is so meaningful to us,” Ryan Polosky, Field Marking Manager at DICK’s Sporting Goods, said. “We are so grateful for the partnership we have developed over the years with Fiesta Bowl Charities and Fighter Country and can’t thank both of these organizations enough for their dedication and support of our local military families. We are so excited to host these great kids and families for Operation Santa and truly wish them all a very happy holiday.”

ABOUT FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION

Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education.

ABOUT FIGHTER COUNTRY FOUNDATION

Business and community leaders in Maricopa County founded Fighter Country Partnership (1993) and Fighter Country Foundation (2006) to support the Men, Women, Families and Mission of Luke Air Force Base. We believe that quality of life for the Luke community is vital to the success of Luke’s ongoing mission. In addition to community advocacy, Fighter Country supports the base community through programs in Morale and Well-Being, Culture and Tradition, and Mission Sustainability. Fighter Country Foundation played a pivotal role in the effort to retain Luke Air Force Base during difficult economic times. Fighter Country is certainly one of, if not the most successful military base community support organization in the United States.

ABOUT DICK’S SPORTING GOODS, INC.

DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, the leading omnichannel retailer serves athletes and outdoor enthusiasts in more than 850 DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands, Going Going Gone! and Warehouse Sale stores, online, and through the DICK’S mobile app. DICK’S also owns and operates DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center, as well as GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping.