Campaign launch to feature 1996 Heisman Trophy Winner and FCU Member Danny Wuerffel and his dogs Jake and Ike
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Get ready to show off those furry Gators fans this football season, as longtime partner Florida Credit Union is launching a “Pet of the Game” initiative to benefit the Humane Society of North Central Florida.
Beginning August 22, 2022, fans can submit a photo of their pet showing Gators’ pride for the opportunity to be recognized as the Florida Credit Union Pet of the Game. Each week, the winning pet owner will be awarded a prize package, including tickets and hospitality to the November 12 game when Florida hosts South Carolina. For each photo submitted, Florida Credit Union will donate $10 to the Humane Society of North Central Florida, up to $5,000. Gainesville GEICO agent Ken Castellani has agreed to match this donation up to $5,000!
“Gators fans love their pets, and we love Gators fans! Florida Credit Union is community proud, and we enjoy helping local organizations working to better our communities,” said Beatrice Cherry, Florida Credit Union’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. “We are grateful for the tireless work of our local humane society, and we’re excited to see Gators pets represent the orange and blue, while also raising money and awareness for a great cause. We are proud to include FCU member and Gator great Danny Wuerffel as part of this campaign. Danny always supports Florida Credit Union’s initiatives to improve our communities, and he looks forward to his dogs, Jake and Ike, participating in the contest fun!”
In addition to the Gators-Gamecocks’ game day at “The Swamp,” the weekly Florida Credit Union Pet of the Game winners will receive a $50 gift card to the University of Florida bookstore, a $50 gift card to Gators partner Pet Paradise and hear their name during the Gators football pregame showcase. The weekly winners will also be entered into the Pet of the Year finals to win a $250 gift card to the UF bookstore, $250 to Pet Paradise and a $250 gift card from FCU.
Florida’s first-of-its-kind Pet of the Game initiative is managed by LEARFIELD’s Florida Gators Sports Properties team, the Gators’ multimedia rightsholder which solely represents the University Athletic Association (UAA) and all corporate sponsorships.
Fans are encouraged to submit their pet showcasing Gators pride starting August 22 via the dedicated online link. Winners will be notified by Wednesday of each game week, and the Pet of the Game promotion runs through the entire 2022 football season.
“Florida Credit Union is an outstanding partner of the Gators, and we know fans love supporting our partners that give back to community nonprofits and initiatives like this. We think the Pet of the Game will be very spirited and ultimately provide much-needed resources to the Humane Society of North Central Florida,” said Lee Douglas, Vice President/General Manager, Florida Gators Sports Properties, LEARFIELD’s team with offices in Gainesville and Orlando.
About Florida Credit Union: Florida Credit Union is a financial institution serving over 130,000 members across 48 counties and 11 branches. Founded in 1954 as the Alachua County Teachers’ Credit Union, FCU has grown exponentially, becoming a top credit union in North and Central Florida, all the while continuing to expand its products, services and technology to rival that of industry leaders. Since FCU is owned by our members, not stockbrokers, our profits go back to FCU members in the form of better rates, advanced technology and a rich legacy of giving back to the communities we serve.
About The Humane Society of North Central Florida: About The Humane Society of North Central Florida: The Humane Society of North Central Florida was formed in 2018 when the leadership of the Alachua County Humane Society, Gainesville Pet Rescue, and Helping Hands Pet Rescue decided to permanently join forces. By becoming the Humane Society of North Central Florida, our organizations are able to effectively streamline services for pets and pet owners, eliminate the duplication of services, maximize our community’s resources, and improve the lifesaving abilities of the entire region. To learn more visit www.humanesocietyncfl.org.