Modified version of bike tradition to allow for appropriate social distancing on Schwinn bicycles; DreamDrive From Home to allow fans of all ages to celebrate Packers Training Camp
The Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance on Wednesday celebrated the official opening of the American Family Insurance DreamDrive training camp feature for the seventh year.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Wednesday morning to recognize the DreamDrive, which this year includes a modified version of the storied training camp tradition where Packers players ride children’s bikes to and from practice. Though the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols will prevent players from riding kids’ bikes and interacting with them directly, many players will continue biking to practice on brand new Schwinn bicycles and fans of all ages will be able to line up along the bike path and cheer as the players ride past.
To encourage safe interaction in the tradition from a distance, the Packers and American Family Insurance also are debuting the DreamDrive From Home program, a community charity bike event where fans can register and pledge to complete a specific amount of miles at their favorite locations and at their own pace and convenience. For every mile pledged and ridden, American Family will donate $1 to We All Rise. Established in 2017, We All Rise is a holistic resource center in Green Bay. The organization is committed to supporting and uplifting the Black community through education, employment opportunities, secure housing, mental health services and more. For more information, visit weallriseaarc.org.
The first 3,000 participants who register for DreamDrive From Home will receive a hat and a medal to wear proudly as they celebrate their miles. All participants can enter for a chance to win a $500 Packers Pro Shop gift card and a Zoom call with a Packers player. Families also can register together to pledge their mileage as a team.
DreamDrive From Home is now underway and will run through Aug. 28. Fans can visit www.amfam.com/Packers to register and pledge their miles.
“This is a place where dreams and traditions thrive, and we’re proud to partner with the Green Bay Packers and celebrate the return of DreamDrive in its modified, safe format,” said Dan Kelly, American Family Insurance chief financial officer. “We hope fans will enjoy tracking their miles, knowing they’re supporting We All Rise, an organization doing important work in the Green Bay community. American Family’s donation is part of our Free to Dream initiative where we’ve committed $105 million over the next five years to further our commitment to closing equity gaps and affecting social impact and positive change in communities.”
DreamDrive is a feature of the partnership between the Packers and the Madison-based insurance company, which has been a partner of the team since 2005. DreamDrive did not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but American Family Insurance and the Packers celebrated training camp virtually with the DreamDrive DreamBike Contest, and the team held a ceremonial bike ride so last year’s rookies could experience the tradition. The partnership also includes the American Family Insurance Gate on the stadium’s east side, allowing fans easy access to the Lambeau Field Atrium.
About the American Family Insurance Group:
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurancehas been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 232 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includesCONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance,The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance*.* Across these companies the group has more than 13,500 employees nationwide.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
