CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference and United Way of Central Carolinas are continuing their partnership that began in 2015 to support student literacy through the ACC United Way Reading Challenge, a charitable initiative associated with the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game.
 
Working together, the ACC, United Way and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are focused on improving reading proficiency at selected CMS schools. Participating in this year’s ACC United Way Reading Challenge are Dorothy J. Vaughan Academy of Technology, John Motley Morehead STEM Academy, Nathaniel Alexander Elementary, Paw Creek Elementary and Renaissance West STEAM Academy.
 
“The ACC has partnered with United Way for more than 20 years to make a difference in our communities,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “Our league is committed to academic excellence, and we are proud to support efforts to increase student literacy in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.”
 
From Oct. 23 through Nov. 17, students in the five schools recorded their reading minutes. The school with the most cumulative minutes will win complimentary tickets to the Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game, and the students will be honored on the field at Bank of America Stadium. This year’s game will be played in primetime on Saturday, Dec. 2, and will be televised nationally by ABC or ESPN.
 
Additionally, the ACC is helping United Way generate student excitement for reading through an ACC mascot visit to Renaissance West STEAM Academy – a new CMS school inside the Renaissance community supported by United Way’s United Neighborhoods initiative – on the Friday, Dec. 1, prior to Saturday’s Championship Game.
 
“The stature of the ACC will bring greater awareness to United Way’s work, and more importantly, increased engagement by students, their families and their schools in making student literacy a priority to enjoy together,” said Sean Garrett, United Way’s executive director. “We’re pleased to partner with a conference comprised of the very colleges where many of our youth will aspire to attend.”
 
Fans interested in supporting this initiative can do so by participating in the ACC Fan 5K and Kids Mascot Run presented by Novant Health, set for Saturday, Dec. 2 in Uptown Charlotte. All event proceeds will support United Way’s work. Learn more or register at ACC5K.com.

About the ACC
The Atlantic Coast Conference, now in its 65th year of competition and 15 members strong, has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation. ACC members Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest continue to build upon the cornerstones on which the league was founded in 1953 with a consistent balance of academics, athletics and integrity. The ACC currently sponsors 27 NCAA sports – 14 for women and 13 for men – with member institutions located in 10 states. For more information, visit theACC.com and follow @theACC on Twitter and on Facebook (facebook.com/theACC).
 
About United Way of Central Carolinas
United Way fights for the education, health and financial stability of every person in our region, improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of local communities in Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Mooresville/Lake Norman, and Anson, Cabarrus and Union counties. To get or give help, call 211 or visit uwcentralcarolinas.org.
 
About the 2017 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game
The 2017 Dr Pepper ACC Football Championship Game will be played Saturday, Dec. 2 in primetime at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.  The nationally televised game will be shown by ESPN (7:45 p.m.) or ABC (8 p.m.) and will feature the Atlantic Division Champion, Clemson, against the Coastal Division Champion, Miami.  For tickets or for information on the full weekend of ACC festivities, visit theacc.com/fbchamp.  For more information on the ACC Fan 5K and Kids Mascot Run presented by Novant Health or to register, visit ACC5K.com.