Flyers award $500,000 to local small businesses impacted by COVID-19

The Philadelphia Flyers unveiled the Hometown Assist initiative yesterday, launching a program that will see them invest $500,000 in advertising assets to local small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Check it out:

We recognize that an overwhelming number of small businesses in the Philadelphia area have struggled to remain on their feet during the COVID-19 pandemic,"said Valerie Camillo, President of Business Operations, Philadelphia Flyers and Wells Fargo Center. "These businesses are crucial to Philadelphia's culture and economy, and the Flyers are positioned to help in a unique way.

"With the start of the Stanley Cups playoffs, hundreds of thousands of Flyers fans will be engaging around our brand and we want to provide the opportunity for small businesses to connect with this audience to drive sales," Camillo added. "As we designed the program, we were purposeful in targeting Black-owned businesses to encourage a diverse pool of applicants and in support of racial equality."

For details on the program and how to apply, read below:

Advertising assets in each award package are valued at $100k per package and will span the '19-20 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the '20-21 regular season. The packages include radio commercials, digital/social promotions, and in-arena activations and LED signage. The Flyers Marketing Department will also be available to help awarded businesses design and create their advertising messages, graphics, and content, as needed.

Business owners can visit PhiladelphiaFlyers.com/HometownAssist for official rules and to submit applications starting today, July 27. Applications will be accepted from July 27, 2020 - August 2, 2020. Selected businesses must be independently owned and operated, have reported no more than $3M in annual revenue over the past three years, been directly impacted by COVID-19, and be headquartered and operated within the Greater Philadelphia Area.

Kudos to the Flyers for stepping up and actually putting their money where their mouths are.There are literally more than a dozen teams who have given lip service to the idea of helping out their community during COVID-19, but the Flyers are the only ones stepping up with this kind of financial commitment. In a time where professional sports can seem frivolous, the Flyers are doing their part to remain relevant within their community by actually helping. Kudos.