TAMPA, Fla. — No matter what the final score is on Sunday, 28 nonprofits throughout Tampa Bay already feel like winners.
They each received $10,000 grants thanks to the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee’s Legacy Program, Forever 55.
Dress For Success in Tampa was one of those organizations. They help over 2,000 women a year prepare for job interviews, but in 2021 they expanded their programming to include women’s families. The program is called Family Game Night.
“We’re sitting there, face to face, we’re laughing, we’re joking, so it’s just good to have that one on one interaction and be with each other,” said Karen McGinnis, who picked up five new board games with her son Owen.
“This allows us to bond better, to get back to the fundamentals and be a family and communicate with each other,” said Diane Howard with Dress For Success.
Thanks to the grant Dress For Success was able to purchase hundreds of games for families in need.
“So in partnership with the NFL we raised a million dollars on the host committee side, the NFL matched the million dollars, so it's a two million dollar investment going back into our community,” said Claire Lessinger, with the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee.
Families can pick out games at the Dress For Success offices or participate in one of their drive-thrus, where games, snacks and pizza coupons are handed right through your car window.
“Games are really learning vehicles as well, it helps us to grow, make choices, right selections, take turns and be supportive of one another,” said Howard.
The Super Bowl LV Host Committee says it’s nice to see how America’s biggest game is helping create hundreds of smaller games on kitchen tables across Tampa Bay.
“And at the end of the day we are going to help impact transformational change, we are going to help be a part of the solution, and we know that Forever 55 will be talked about forever,” said Lessinger.
Dress For Success’ next drive-thru game giveaway will be Feb. 13.
For more information go to tampabay.dressforsuccess.org
