Academy Sports + Outdoors makes a splash in the community

Academy Sports + Outdoors makes a splash in the community

New Rockwall location celebrates grand opening with Helping Hands donations, product demos, free giveaways, and fishing tank for kids

(ROCKWALL, TX — July 7, 2017)  Academy Sports + Outdoors opened up its brand new Rockwall location with a weekend-long celebration.

On Thursday, July 6 the sporting goods store partnered with Helping Hands of Rockwall to donate $1,000 shopping sprees to two families in need as a way to give back to their new community. The families were welcomed into the store by a crowd of Academy staff and presented with shopping carts to load up with their new treasures.

Academy Sports + Outdoors Store Director Gary Nixon said when seeking a nonprofit organization to partner with, Helping Hands seemed like a perfect match.

“Our number one goal at Academy is to make more sports and outdoors enjoyable for everyone,” Nixon said. “Helping Hands has been involved deeply in the community. It was really interesting to see and hear all that they do, especially for families in need. To me it seems like a natural fit, I’m so glad that we did it and gave this opportunity to families who might not have been able to enjoy it before.”

Today on Friday, July 7, Academy kicked off a day of festivities with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Beginning at 8 a.m., the first 250 customers received free t-shirts and the first 100 customers received a free YETI Rambler.

Photo courtesy of Academy Sports + Outdoors Rockwall.

From 10 a.m.—4 p.m. today, kids can fish in a portable tank full of catfish. Nixon said the tank will be catch and release, and that the event will let kids have some fun for free and try out some products while they’re at it.

From 1 p.m.—3 p.m. today, there will be hourly giveaways for $50 gift cards.

Tomorrow on Saturday, July 8, the festivities will continue as the first 150 customers (18 years or older) in line outside the store who show that they’re a fan of Academy on social media at 8 a.m. will receive a free Academy mystery gift card, valued between $20 and $500.

Kids can once again fish in the catfish tank from 10 a.m.—4 p.m.

Nixon said that throughout the weekend, vendors will be interacting with customers and providing demos, coupons and free prizes to showcase their brands. Pro Fisherman Darren Gallaher will be at the store signing autographs and talking about his techniques and preferred products. Pro Shooter Gabby Franco, who competed on the Venezuelan Olympic team and the T.V. show Top Shot, will also be at the store giving advice about gun safety and technique.

Story by Julie Anne White, Blue Ribbon News. Photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.

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