FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2012
Lilburn Boy Scout Troop 509 Named CAN Challenge 2011 Champion
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – Holtkamp Heating & Air Conditioning, the leading HVAC company in Suwanee, Ga., recently announced the results of its first-annual Gwinnett CAN Challenge. The company collected an astounding amount, more than 31 tons of food, far surpassing its original goal of 10 tons. This year’s Challenge winner was Boy Scout Troop 509, out of Lilburn, which donated more than 10,000 items.
“We are thrilled that we were able to collect such a large amount of food and that so many individuals, non profits and businesses participated,” said Suzanne Holtkamp, vice president of marketing and operations. “We started the CAN Challenge to help raise awareness about our community’s crucial food needs. Our food banks struggle to stay stocked all year because people tend to think about donating during the holidays and forget food is needed year round.”
The CAN Challenge winner, Boy Scout Troop 509, started collecting food last April. Becky Knake, troop committee member, had organized food drives before and encouraged the 20-plus boys to participate in the CAN Challenge. “Getting the community involved through the CAN Challenge is a wonderful thing and I’m glad we were involved,” Knake said. “We had so many donate food, including Crider Poultry in Stillmore, Ga., who gave us more than 5,200 cans of meat.”
In addition to the donations from many non profits, Holtkamp also set up donation barrels in at least 12 different locations, which individuals filled up quickly. Local high schools even got involved and staged football challenges. “The last two games of the 2011 season, Parkview High versus Brookwood High and Peachtree Ridge High versus Mill Creek High, resulted in almost two tons of donations. They also raised the equivalent of 4.5 tons of food in monetary donations!” said Theresa Stewart, CAN Challenge organizer. “All four of these high schools really pushed it to the next level. I can’t wait to see what they will do next year. The challenge is definitely on!”
Grants were given out by the Holtkamp Family Foundation to any 501(c)3 who conducted a food drive. By year’s end, hundreds of individuals and groups had participated in the CAN Challenge, providing donations for 10 food co-ops across Gwinnett County.
“Our grant program really inspired non-profit groups to raise their game. We had churches, girl scout and boy scout troops, and so many more donating,” Stewart said.
“We’re not done. We’re just getting started. We’re looking to 2012 when Gwinnett will once again rise to the Challenge and help address local hunger,” says Suzanne Holtkamp. Will you accept the CAN Challenge? To learn more, visit www.HoltkampHVAC.com/canchallenge.
###
Holtkamp Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. is Gwinnett’s own HVAC company located in Suwanee, Ga. Our team of highly trained technicians provides homeowners with AC, furnace and heat pump repairs as well as total HVAC installation. Voted “Best of Gwinnett” the last three years. To learn more about us or the events we are sponsoring in Gwinnett, please visit our website at https://www.holtkamphvac.com
