With Panthers in Winter Classic spotlight, Zito’s Panthers on the Prowl on full display
The sun was shining on the West Plaza of loanDepot park early Friday afternoon. In a few hours, the Florida Panthers would play in a Winter Classic game against the New York Rangers — the NHL’s first outdoor hockey game in the Sunshine State.
But in this moment, well before puck dropped, before the main festivities of the day, and ultimately before a 5-1 Panthers loss, Bill Zito is smiling about something else — something bigger than hockey.
On display behind him were 25 life-sized Panthers statues, each one telling its own story. They were all part of Zito’s Panthers on the Prowl initiative created with his wife Julie for the American Cancer Society. Each statue — Zito had 200 in total — cost $5,000 to purchase and gave each buyer a chance to personalize it to his or her liking. Many commissioned professional artists to bring their dream to life.
Now, these 25 are up for auction to the public, giving the Zitos an opportunity to raise even more money for cancer research through the endeavor. The panther statues are being auctioned through Charitybuzz. Bidding is open through Feb. 6.
“It’s hard to find the words to describe how wonderful this day is,” Zito said. “It really is a special day.”
Zito’s goal is to raise $1 million. As of Friday, Zito estimated they have raised $700,000.
“We’re trying to raise as much money as we can in this fight against cancer,” Zito said.
He and the Panthers Foundation easily could have just quietly donated the money. Write a check and move on.
Zito wanted to do more. He wanted to make it a community endeavor, not just a Zito endeavor.
He wanted those impacted by the disease to tell their stories, to have their voices heard and amplified.
“There’s a tear and a smile,” Zito said. “And then you think, you know what, there’s a reason that everybody is engaged. There’s a reason that everybody gave their time and their talent. And it’s because it works and it’s right.”
Along the way, several big voices got involved. Wayne Gretzky bought a panther that's up for auction (”The Great One) that has some of his stats, depictions of the Stanley Cup and his famed “99.” So did tennis legend Martina Navratilova (”Jagr”), who dipped tennis balls in paint and fired them at the panther to create a polka-dot effect. And musicians Michael Buble (”Forever Now”) and Kelsea Ballerini (”Pippa”). And golfer Dustin Johnson (”Fore”). There’s one named “Invictus” signed by the entire Panthers team, two from the Miami Heat and statues painted by renowned artists Romero Britto and Guy Harvey.
“To be able to have the privilege to reach out and make those contacts and have those folks say, ‘Of course,’ what a gift that was,” Zito said. “It’s just so neat.”
“Each one of these has a story,” Zito added. “When you look at them, some are fun, some are silly. Some of them are creative beyond anything I could have ever imagined. … It is so important that we take advantage of this opportunity to not only raise as much money as we can, but raise awareness as well. Because together, we truly can fight this insidious disease. I am truly proud of the work that the people have done.”
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