Bristol Borough Resident Awarded Grant From Jersey Mike's Subs

BRISTOL BOROUGH, PA — A Bristol Borough resident was awarded one of five $5,000 grants from Jersey Mike's Subs in recognition of her efforts to ensure access to youth sports programs for children in the area.

Stacey Dragon was awarded the $5,000 Sub Above grant after she was nominated by her 21-year-old son, Daniel.

"My Mom works tirelessly to make sure all the kids in our town who want to play sports, play. She finds sponsors, grants, programs, etc.," Daniel wrote in his nomination of his mother. "But with Covid, her program was hit hard financially with limited local sponsorship and funding."

Stacey offered a kickball program that drew 146 kids in the first year.

"We see a real need for these programs," said Dragon. "Kids who are involved are less likely to get in trouble or miss school. The team atmosphere helps build better bonds with other kids and their families, strengthening our town as a whole."

Dragon was selected out of more than 3,200 nominations from across the country. She runs the local Bristol Sports Little League team, which has nearly 250 players as well as the fall baseball and softball program with 115 children.

Dragon says she never turns a child away.

"Any child who wants to play will play," said Dragon. "If a family can’t afford it, we will find the funds so the child can play for free and get the needed equipment."

According to Dragon, the grant money will help accommodate new safety and sanitizing requirements that came with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as help purchase team uniforms.

"You never know whose life you will change," she said.

The Sub Above grant program was made to help people like Dragon make an even bigger impact through the financial support of programs like hers. Jersey Mike's locations around the country have raised more than $68 million for local charities.

“Since we started the program, Jersey Mike’s has awarded $125,000 in grants to individuals and organizations that are making a big difference in our local communities,” said Rich Hope, Chief Marketing Officer, Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc.

“We are inspired by Stacey’s story and her important work.”