(photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV)
Jackson Coffee Co., in conjunction with its sister company, the Jackson Candy & Fudge Factory, announced today that it has purchased a full sponsorship of the #70 Derrike Cope car at the Xfinity NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway on June 11th. After purchasing the sponsorship, it then donated the sponsorship to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Jackson County.
“We are thrilled to make this purchase and to donate it to such a great cause. While we could have kept the advertising on the car for our own companies, we wanted to bring awareness to a group of people who do so much to mentor the youth in our community. We also wanted to bring attention to the needs of the Big Brothers Big Sisters, who have a waiting list of youth who need a partner” said Brian Surgener, Jackson Coffee Co.’ and Jackson Candy & Fudge Factory’s President.
The car will have a full wrap of the Big Brothers and Big Sister’s logo fully displayed on the hood of the car, and will have both rear quarters of the car saying “Be A Big Brother” on one side and “Be A Big Sister” on the other side. In the photo from last year’s race (above), the car is outfitted with Jackson Coffee Company’s branding.
After purchasing the NASCAR sponsorship, Mr. Surgener approached Michigan International Speedway and asked if they would donate a ticket to each big brother and big sister and their match, so each could attend the race at no charge. There are 240 matches in Jackson County, and with board members and staff, this amounted to a donation of 500 tickets. Without hesitation, MIS said yes to the request.
“I was not surprised at all that MIS said “yes” to donating such a large amount of tickets. MIS does so much to support the community, and has a strong connection to the youth in Jackson County. They are some really incredible and amazing people out there” said Brian Surgener, Jackson Coffee Co.’ and Jackson Candy & Fudge Factory’s President.
The donation by MIS of 500 tickets is the largest ticket donation ever given by MIS to a single cause.
While at the NASCAR race, the attendees will have a meet and greet with NASCAR driver Derrike Cope, who drives the #70 car for DCR Racing out of Mooresville, North Carolina. The matches are being asked to wear their BB/BS shirts so they stand out.
“I am over-joyed that many of the youth in our community will be able to experience what great fun MIS offers, and will get to meet one of NASCAR’s historic drivers. Derrike Cope has won many races, most notably the Daytona 500. These are positive memories that will stay with these kids for their entire life.” said Brian Surgener.
The owner was approached by other teams to sponsor them, but they choose to stay with the same team the coffee company sponsored at last year’s Xfinity race. In the photo from last year’s race (above), the car is outfitted with Jackson Coffee Company’s branding.
In a press release, Surgener is quoted as saying “We worked with the DCR Racing team and driver Derrike Cope last year and we got to know them quite well. My family visited with them when we traveled this summer to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in North Carolina. We saw the connection they have with their sponsors, as well as the commitment they have to communities and their youth. The partnership seemed like the perfect fit. This is one of NASCAR’s hardest working teams, and their commitment to their sponsors and being successful on the track is second to none. It’s similar to the commitment we see Big Brothers and Big Sisters bringing to the lives of many of Jackson’s youth.”
The Jackson Coffee Co. and Jackson Candy & Fudge Factory hope that the community will come out to MIS and check out the car, or tune into the race on TV, and cheer on the BB/BS #70 car. Surgener said, “It will give the local community a sense of pride to see Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Jackson County being promoting at this level.” He also hopes that it will inspire others to be a part of this organization.
