Sedona AZ (October 24, 2014) – With only 100 days until Super Bowl XLIX, the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee celebrated the countdown to kickoff by hosting a super-sized pep rally for hundreds of students at Bernard Black Elementary School in Phoenix. The event commemorated more than $600,000 awarded to local non-profits through the Legacy Grant Program.
One hundred students who participate in the Elevate Phoenix education program rallied their way through a decorative Super Bowl XLIX 100 Day Countdown banner to start the celebration while the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee mascot, SPIKE, energized the crowd of students and teachers. The festivities were integrated into a Character Counts pep assembly to teach students the importance of confidence and leadership, characteristics instilled by Elevate Phoenix programs. The festivities culminated as Elevate Phoenix accepted a super-sized $50,000 check.
“There’s no better way to celebrate the 100-day milestone, than being part of an elementary school rally that teaches kids confidence and leadership,” said Jay Parry, president and CEO of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee. “Partnering with Elevate Phoenix is representative of the positive and lasting impact that hosting a Super Bowl has on our communities.”
Hundreds of Bernard Black Elementary School students in Phoenix celebrate at a Super Bowl 100 day Countdown to Kickoff pep rally
The $50,000 legacy grant, awarded to Elevate Phoenix by the Host Committee and NFL Foundation, will fund 4,000 mentor hours to teach, tutor and transport students at five, Title 1 elementary and high schools impacting more than 4,500 students.
“Our goal is to overcome cultures of poverty and violence and improve overall student academics by developing confidence, character, leadership skills and career readiness habits,” said Tim Cleary, CEO of Elevate Phoenix. “This grant will allow us to bring ‘hope with a plan’ to more student in urban public Title 1 schools.”
The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee and the National Football League (NFL) Foundation will distribute an additional $1.5 million in funding during the final grant cycle, leading up to Super Bowl XLIX. Arizona non-profits are encouraged to submit proposals with a key focus in education and youth health and wellness programs and can apply at the “In the Community” web page at www.azsuperbowl.com/community/giving. Grant proposals must be submitted by October 31, 2014, at 5:00 p.m.
AZSBHC is a private, non-profit Arizona corporation that drives Arizona’s plan for Super Bowl XLIX and is responsible for the $30 million fundraising goal. The Host Committee plans and stages Super Bowl XLIX and all of its associated events in partnership with the NFL. In addition, the Host Committee is the catalyst to galvanize the local stakeholders in a united approach to maximize the positive media exposure, the game’s positive economic impact for the region and leave a lasting legacy long after Super Bowl XLIX.
For more information, visit www.azsuperbowl.com.
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