Andy's Foundation donates $50,000
By From staff reports
Published in News on April 14, 2015 1:46 PM
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Andy's Charitable Foundation has made a $50,000 commitment for the University of Mount Olive's planned track and lacrosse complex. From left are April Dennis, Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes, and Fries chief brand officer and Andy's Charitable Foundation board member; Kenney Moore, president and founder of Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes, and Fries; Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter, president of the University of Mount Olive; and Jimmy Williams, vice president for Institutional Advancement at the University of Mount Olive.
MOUNT OLIVE -- Andy's Charitable Foundation has made a $50,000 commitment to the University of Mount Olive's planned track and lacrosse complex.
"As a Wayne County-based company with a long-standing commitment to giving back to the local community, we are excited to help provide this valuable athletic resource for the University community," said Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes, and Fries President and Founder Kenney Moore. "Having graduated from Mount Olive College and having played on the Trojan baseball team, I know first-hand the value of the well-rounded, quality educational and athletic experience that is offered right here in Mount Olive."
Moore earned his associate's degree from Mount Olive College in 1983 and then transferred to Atlantic Christian College to earn his bachelor's degree.
He opened his first 1950s-themed restaurant in 1991 in the Berkeley Mall at the age of 28.
Today the company has more than 100 restaurants in 10 states and two countries.
"As an alumnus and financial supporter of the University of Mount Olive, Kenney Moore has a strong sense of dedication to our student-athletes," said UMO President Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter. "I am very grateful to Kenney and the Andy's Charitable Foundation for generously supporting our athletics programs.
"This complex will benefit both our student-athletes and the greater Wayne County community, and it will allow us to enable our very successful NCAA Division II athletics program."
A new track and lacrosse complex will allow the university to take an important step toward fulfilling its commitment to student centered education and providing a safe, state-of-the art facility for the region.
The cost for phase one construction of the complex is estimated at $1.5 million and will include an eight-lane, synthetic surface, 400 meter track built with an artificial surface field inside the track, along with areas for throws and jumps.
Named after the original restaurants, Andy's Cheesesteaks and Cheeseburgers, the Andy's Charitable Foundation is a visible commitment to community involvement.
In 2000, Moore began a golf tournament to support local charities. After several successful years, that golf tournament became a foundation to better serve a larger number of organizations.
The Andy's Charitable Foundation made its first contributions in November of 2006, and it continues to do so annually.
Throughout the years Moore and the Andy's Charitable Foundation have generously supported the University of Mount Olive including being a central force in the funding the Moore-Williams Baseball Fieldhouse, named for Moore's parents, Dal and Nancy Moore, and his in-laws, Jimmy and Frances Williams.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College.
For more information, visit www.umo.edu.