Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Florida Panthers Enlist Michael Bublé for Cancer Fundraising Initiative
SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers have teamed up with Canadian singer Michael Bublé for a significant cause. The Grammy-winning artist is lending his support to the team’s fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society. The “Panthers on the Prowl” initiative merges artistic expression and philanthropy aimed at bolstering cancer research and crucial patient services. Donors gain the opportunity to sponsor life-sized panther sculptures, which will be strategically placed throughout South Florida, thereby increasing cancer awareness through community fundraising.
Panthers on the Prowl: A Creative Fundraising Campaign
The innovative program, “Panthers on the Prowl”, is the brainchild of Panthers hockey operations president and general manager Bill Zito and his wife, Julie Zito. Their vision combines art and charity to support the fight against cancer.
Bublé Joins the Cause
“’Panthers on the Prowl’ offers a distinctive and uplifting method to demonstrate our solidarity and provide support for those individuals facing hardship,” Bublé stated. “It enables us to garner essential funds to sustain this vital battle. Cancer impacts us all, our families, friends, neighbors, and everyone. I’ve partnered with my friend Bill Zito, the Florida Panthers, and our broader NHL hockey community because I am committed to contributing to the solution.”
Backed by Celebrities and Athletes
The program, officially launched in March, has garnered support from renowned artist Romero Britto and NFL players Nick Bosa and Joey Bosa, both South Florida natives, among other prominent figures.
A Personal Connection to the Cause
Julie Zito is a cancer survivor. Bill Zito has tragically lost his mother and sister to cancer. The Zito family also recently mourned the loss of a close friend to the disease. This personal connection fuels their commitment to the initiative. The inspiration for the artwork component of the project came from the “Cows on Parade” public art display in Chicago. Donors participating in the Panthers’ initiative have the freedom to decorate their panther statues in any style they choose.
The Goal: Raising $1 Million
The Panthers organization hopes to accumulate at least $1 million through their fundraising efforts.
“It touches all of our families and all of our friendships,” said Zito, who became part of the Panthers in 2020. “That makes me even more determined not only to achieve a goal for the goal’s sake alone but to achieve a goal with the intention of bringing people together.”
How to Get Involved in Cancer Fundraising:
- Sponsor a panther sculpture and decorate it to display your personal message.
- Donate directly to the American Cancer Society through the “Panthers on the Prowl” campaign.
- Raise awareness by sharing the program’s initiative on social media.