Butler Area Senior High School Student-Athlete Awards Kids of STEEL Grant Through Gatorade

PITTSBURGH  — Butler, Pa. native and Gatorade Pennsylvania Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year, Drew Griffith, awarded Kids of STEEL with a $1,000 grant to help motivate kids and their families to get moving together through the award-winning training program. Kids of STEEL is available to individuals for free at more than 250 schools and community organizations in Western Pennsylvania.  

Sports have seen a double-digit decline over the past decade, largely due to tighter budgets in communities, but young people that participate in sports are found to be happier, healthier and better students. As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner.  

“The Gatorade Player of the Year award highlights student-athletes who set an example both on and off the field,” said Kara Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Gatorade Player of the Year. “The grants give these athletes a chance to donate to organizations like, Kids of STEEL, that positively impacts the youth in their own communities.”  

"We are grateful to Drew Griffith for his generous donation and support for Kids of STEEL,” said Troy Schooley, P3R CEO. “This contribution will make a lasting impact and help inspire a lifetime of movement.”  

Gatorade has a longstanding history of serving athlete communities and its ambition is to continue doing more to create positive change. Most recently, Gatorade announced its Equity in Sports commitment, a multi-year initiative to help everyone have equal opportunities to play sports and realize their potential.  

To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow the conversation on Twitter #GatoradePOY. For more on Gatorade Player of the Year Community Grants, the Gatorade Player of the Year, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit PlayerOfTheYear.Gatorade.com

About Gatorade Player of the Year

Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s most elite high school athletes for their success on and off the playing surface. Gatorade Players of the Year are not only the best in their sports, but they’re also leaders in the classroom and in their communities. From CEOs and coaches to star athletes, Gatorade Player of the Year winners showcase the power of sport, touting an all-star group of alumni that includes Peyton Manning, Jayson Tatum, Mallory Swanson and Paige Bueckers.  

About P3R

P3R is the region’s go-to premier sporting event and experience expert. While best known for the annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R organizes up to 20 major events every year. With a rich history of working with top-tier clients such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the National Senior Games, and more, P3R brings operational excellence to every aspect of event planning and execution. As part of P3R’s non-profit mission to inspire any and all to MOVE with us, we provide premium event experiences and robust programming - including the Run for a Reason Charity Program, award-winning Kids of STEEL program, Pittsburgh Corporate Challenge, RUN Varsity, and more - that engage everyone in the Western Pennsylvania community and beyond.  

Photo credit:   Nate Kuntz | MileSplit