KNOXVILLE – By completing “Push-ups for Pennies,” Pilot Flying J raised more than $15,000 for Knoxville Challenger Sports, an organization that provides sports opportunities for children and young adults with special needs.

Nic Arning of Knoxville Challenger Sports (center) and Pilot Flying J team members celebrate the donation of more than $15,000, along with new athletic equipment, with participants of Knoxville Challenger Sports and their families at Pilot Flying J headquarters on Nov. 17. The money was raised through Pilot Flying J’s “Push-ups for Pennies” program.

Team members participated in the first annual “Push-ups for Pennies” event by securing monetary pledges for each push-up they could complete during a week-long span in November. Pilot Flying J also sold T-shirts as part of the fundraiser, which the company plans to host annually each November.

“We launched ‘Push-ups for Pennies’ to show support for an organization that gives back to our community beyond measure,” said Josh Perrin, director of Operations Support for Pilot Flying J. “Knoxville Challenger Sports makes a tremendous impact in the lives of people with special needs by helping them come together and enjoy fun sports activities, and our team was proud to push our abilities to the limit to raise funds for them.”

Knoxville Challenger Sports provides participants opportunities in baseball, basketball, golf, swimming and bowling. In addition to the monetary donation, Pilot Flying J provided sports equipment to the organization.

“Pilot Flying J feels like an extension of our team,” Knoxville Challenger Sports CEO Nic Arning said. “They understand and care about our mission, and these funds will help provide access to more people in our community to enjoy team activities and pursue individual goals th

rough sports.”

To learn more about Pilot Flying J visit www.pilotflyingj.com or download the mobile app. For more information about Knoxville Challenger Sports, you may visit www.knoxvillechallengersports.org.