Some Charles Johnson Foundation news to share

HAWKINSVILLE, GA, March 10, 2015 – Registration is now open for the fourth annual Charles Johnson Foundation Sports Academy and Community Weekend on June 19-20 in Hawkinsville, GA. The event welcomes 1^st-12^th grade girls and boys in Middle Georgia to a free-of-charge two-day event.

The annual Sports Academy is former University of Georgia Bulldog and current Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson's opportunity to give back to his hometown and connect with the community. The weekend of activities not only focuses on athletic skills, but also team-building and the importance of education. Coaches emphasize to the participants the importance of following their dreams and saying no to negative influences in their lives.

The Sports Academy includes clinics in basketball, dance, tennis, football and cheer. Johnson and some of his friends and coaches in the NFL and NBA attend the event to help guide participants through various activities. On Friday evening, everyone is invited to Middle Georgia Community Night where the community gathers together to celebrate one another and the foundation’s community partners. The evening also includes a check presentation to the two high school senior 2015 honorees of the Charles Johnson Foundation’s $20,000 college scholarships.

The full schedule for the 2015 event is as follows:

Friday, June 19                      

Basketball Clinic: 1-3 p.m. 1^st-6^th graders; 3-5 p.m. 7^th-12^th graders

Dance Clinic: 1-3 p.m. 1^st -6^th graders

Middle Georgia Community Night: 5-8 p.m.

Saturday, June 20       

Football Clinic: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 1^st-6^th graders; 12-2:30p.m. 7^th-12^th graders

Tennis Clinic: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 1^st-12^th graders

Cheer Clinic: 12-2:30 p.m. 1^st-6^th graders

To register for the 2015 event, please visit here. The Foundation is looking for volunteers for the event and those interested should visit the foundation’s website for more details. If you or your business is interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities, please contactinfo@charlesjohnsonfoundation.org.

For media requests or with any questions, please contact Meredith Geisler at 703-740-5015 or mgeisler@tandemse.com.

ABOUT CHARLES JOHNSON & THE CHARLES JOHNSON FOUNDATION

Charles Johnson is a native of Hawkinsville, GA, and a proud alumnus of Hawkinsville High School. After attending the University of Georgia where he starred at defensive end, Charles was drafted by the Carolina Panthers of the NFL in 2007 and now serves as a captain of the team.

Through eight professional seasons, Charles has received All-Pro recognition on the strength of 62.5 career sacks, placing him among the premier pass-rushers in the league.

In 2012, Charles’ passion for philanthropy and loyalty to Middle Georgia led him to launch the Charles Johnson Foundation. A non-profit organization, the Charles Johnson Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling a two-fold mission:

• Providing opportunities for under-served youth to reach their full potential through athletic, recreational, and educational programs and initiatives; and
• Providing support for single African American mothers through proven programs and initiatives.

The Charles Johnson Foundation Sports Academy and Community Weekend is the flagship annual event for the Charles Johnson Foundation, combining his efforts to advance education with free sports clinics in football, basketball, tennis, dance and cheer.