Luke Fritz accepted a cheque for his win of $50,000 for Winnipeg Harvest’s ‘Hunger for Hope’ program from the CFL Pepsi Refresh Project. The Kingsmen Club of Manitoba also donated a cheque for an additional $10,000.
Fritz was among eight CFL players to partner with the Pepsi Refresh Project to come up with “refreshing” ideas to make Canada a better place. The coveted grant will go to Fritz’s charity of choice, Winnipeg Harvest, to support the Hunger for Hope program, which supplies infant formula to thousands of babies in Manitoba who would otherwise go hungry. All other seven participating CFL players will receive a $2,000 grant to support their charities.
Over the course of the CFL play-off season, as excitement was building toward Grey Cup weekend, the field of eight team players was reduced to four, then two, and now the reigning champ Luke Fritz.
“This grant represents a big win off the field because giving back to the community is what it’s all about. I’m so grateful to PepsiCo Canada for providing the grant, and I can’t thank voters enough for supporting my idea,” said Luke Fritz, offensive lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. “No child, and certainly no baby, should ever go hungry, and this grant will help make sure that doesn’t happen.
In the final two showdown, Fritz was pitted against Saskatchewan Roughrider Rob Bagg whose idea was to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. The two players went head-to-head campaigning for votes from their fans. As runner-up, Bagg’s charity, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, will receive a $2,000 Pepsi Refresh grant for diabetes research. Bagg’s younger sister has juvenile diabetes.
“Kudos to Luke, to Rob, to all the other participating players, to PepsiCo Canada and to the fans for setting an incredible example for all of Canada to witness,” said Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League. “The CFL couldn’t be more proud to have participated in this initiative. Our players are more than great athletes. They also understand the importance of contributing to the community. Well done, and congratulations to all.”
“What an incredible way to add another level of excitement to the CFL play-offs as these eight players stepped up to set an example for us all,” said Dale Hooper, Vice President Marketing, PepsiCo Beverages Canada. “Luke earned the distinction as the Do Good Champion, but all eight players are winners and the Pepsi Refresh Project thanks each one of them for leading the way toward a better Canada.”
