WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., June 27, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina and HanesBrands, a leading marketer of everyday basic apparel, announced today a partnership that will use a donation of 5.3 acres of land from Hanes to build a wellness park at the Fulton Family YMCA.
Fulton Family YMCA, located at 385 West Hanes Mill Road, will convert the donated land into an athletic complex that will include two multipurpose fields, a walking track, outdoor exercise elements and a pavilion. The complex will not only provide outdoor athletic space, but space to expand the Fulton Family YMCA summer day camp and serve more children in the local community. The YMCA will begin construction on the athletic complex this summer.
Hanes donated the property as part of the sale of its former Weeks hosiery and R &D facility, located at 401 West Hanes Mill Road.
The project is already gaining support from the community. Winston-Salem Lacrosse is one of the first donors to support the field construction and plans to practice and play games on the fields.
"We are incredibly grateful to HanesBrands for demonstrating with this donation how much they value our community's health and well-being in a way that will benefit Winston-Salem residents for years to come," said Curt Hazelbaker, president and CEO of YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. "The planned athletic complex will provide outdoor recreation opportunities unlike any in the immediate Hanes Mill Road area, as well as much-needed green space."
Hanes, which is located one mile from the Fulton Family YMCA, has a long history of supporting the branch.
"HanesBrands and its employees strongly believe in being great community partners, and it is only fitting that we collaborate with a local organization that shares in our commitment of strengthening communities," said Chris Fox, HanesBrands vice president of corporate social responsibility. "We aim to change lives by meeting the basic needs of the communities in which we live and work, and the new wellness park is another tool that will allow us to enhance lives."
Fulton Family YMCA has had a great long-term relationship with Hanes.
"This is not only an addition to the Fulton Family YMCA facility – it is a contribution that will benefit both Y members and the local community," said Richard Daniels, executive director of the Fulton Family YMCA. "Our goal is to be playing sports on these fields and enjoying the complex by fall of this year."
The Fulton Family YMCA manages an on-site fitness center at Hanes headquarters on East Hanes Mill Road. The fitness center has been a huge success among employees, and helps them stay active and live healthier lives. Through its annual United Way donations, Hanes is also a financial contributor to the YMCA's annual giving campaign, which provides program funding and financial assistance to ensure no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.
YMCA of Northwest North Carolina
The YMCA is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina engages more than 115,000 men, women and children annually – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the community's health and well-being and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in communities across seven counties, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. Learn more at www.ymcanwnc.org.
HanesBrands
HanesBrands is a socially responsible leading marketer of everyday basic apparel under some of the world's strongest apparel brands, including Hanes, Champion, Playtex, Bali, JMS/Just My Size, barely there, Wonderbra and Gear for Sports. The company sells T-shirts, bras, panties, men's underwear, children's underwear, socks, hosiery, casualwear and activewear produced in the company's low-cost global supply chain. Ranked No. 512 on the Fortune 1000 list, Hanes has approximately 51,500 employees in more than 25 countries and takes pride in its strong reputation for ethical business practices. Hanes is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star 2013 and 2012 Sustained Excellence Award winner and 2010 and 2011 Partner of the Year. The company ranks No. 141 on Newsweek magazine's list of Top 500 greenest U.S. companies. More information about the company and its corporate social responsibility initiatives, including environmental, social compliance and community improvement achievements, may be found on the Hanes corporate website at www.HanesBrands.com.