FIESTA BOWL CHARITIES NEWSLETTER
FIESTA’S BEST
PG 2
F I E S TA B O W L C H A R I T I E S N E W S L E T T E R | V O L U M E 5
TEACHER FEATURE
Teacher: Nancy Foote
School: Sossaman Middle School
The Extra Yard for Teachers “My School Hero� campaign was brought to Arizona by the College Football Playoff Foundation and Fiesta Bowl Charities as a way to honor those who made a positive experience in education. Each week a committee selected heroes to be recognized and each received $1,000 to be used in their classroom. After 20 selections, the committee narrowed it down to one Arizona School Hero, who had the opportunity to travel to New Orleans, Louisiana to attend the CFP National Championship game.
know that she was chosen as the Arizona School Hero! After a few minutes of disbelief and trying to convince everyone that a mistake was made, it finally set in and Nancy was ecstatic about being able to go to her first college football game.
On December 6, Fiesta Bowl staff made a visit to Sossaman Middle School in Queen Creek to surprise Nancy Foote and let her
Though starting her career as an industrial chemist, Nancy has spent the past 32 years in education. Her roles have included principal, curriculum coach and teacher on special assignment, but has spent most of her time as a teacher. She currently teaches conceptual physics. Congratulations Nancy! Thank you for everything you do to serve the youth of Arizona.
I am honored to receive this award and thrilled to go to the game. I use football to teach physics to my students, and I am eager to get some new and exciting examples to share with them. I keep thinking about all the amazing lessons and stories I will have to use to teach science and math to my students from this experience. Thank you, Fiesta Bowl, College Football Playoff Foundation, and Extra Yard for Teachers initiative, for this honor and for your support of teachers! Nancy Foote
F I E S TA B O W L . O R G / C H A R I T I E S
PG 3
POSITIVE PARTNER
Event: World’s Largest Game of Freeze Tag On November 13, 2,172 students from 13 schools within Phoenix Elementary School District #1 came together to break the Guinness World Record for the largest game of freeze tag! The previous record was set on September 12, 2018, by 1,393 people in Antwerp, Belgium. In order to get the kids excited before the big game, the Be Kind Crew from the Be Kind People Project took the stage to teach dances and lead stretches. The record-setting day showed students and teachers that living a healthy lifestyle can also be a lot of fun! Participants were able to dance, spend time with friends and of course--play freeze tag. The event was held by Fiesta Bowl Charities in conjunction with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona to support Mobilize AZ—BCBSAZ’s program to help solve critical health issues within the state.
We learn at school math, reading, science, social studies, but you remember events like this for the rest of your life—Dr. Rosanna Hidalgo, Assistant Superintendent Phoenix Elementary School District #1 This is an initiative that takes teamwork. It takes individual effort. And I think participating in something like this lets the kids know that they can do anything they set their minds to. Deanna Salazar, Chief Administration Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
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Event:
TURKEY DISTRIBUTION ST. MARY’S FOOD BANK Fiesta Bowl staff and volunteers assisted in the distribution of over 12,000 full family meals at St. Mary’s Food Bank. We were able to interact with hundreds of people and wish them a Happy Thanksgiving!
St. Mary’s Food Bank serves nine of Arizona’s 15 counties and has been dedicated to ending hunger while promoting self-sufficiency since 1967. In the past 50 years, St. Mary’s has grown to be one of the largest food banks in the United States.
St. Mary’s Food Bank distributed over 12,000 turkeys and full family meals in the three days leading up to Thanksgiving and Fiesta Bowl charities was there to roll up their sleeves and help us get the job done. Their donation of time and finances to help make this event a success directly impacted more than 70,000 people who would otherwise not have a holiday meal. St Mary’s Food Bank President and CEO Tom Kertis
F I E S TA B O W L . O R G / C H A R I T I E S
PG 5
PG 6
F I E S TA B O W L C H A R I T I E S N E W S L E T T E R | V O L U M E 5
CHEEZ-IT® BOWL AND PLAYSTATION® FIESTA BOWL
PLAYER OUTREACH EVENTS Each year, Fiesta Bowl Charities, in partnership with various Arizona nonprofits, hosts player outreach events for each team competing in the Cheez-It® Bowl and PlayStation® Fiesta Bowl. These events allow players to interact with members of the community during their time in the Valley of the Sun!
Air Force “The Salvation Army is extremely grateful for the ongoing support of Fiesta Bowl Charities,” said Major David Yardley, The Salvation Army Metro Phoenix Program Coordinator. “It’s especially heartwarming when student athletes serve people in need at our annual Christmas dinner, like those from the Air Force Academy did this past December. The way they engage with our guests with compassion and smiling faces is a wonderful sight to behold.”
Air Force Academy players began their Christmas helping at the annual Salvation Army Christmas Dinner. The Falcons served meals, played games and even gave a few manicures during their time at the event. Washington State spent a few hours with kids from Muscular Dystrophy Association playing arcade games, bowling and laser tag at Main Event in Tempe.
Washington State“The Muscular Dystrophy Association was so excited to be a part of the Fiesta Bowl Charities Player Outreach event. This experience made for an incredible day for our kids making memories that will truly last a lifetime! The MDA is so grateful for our partnership with Fiesta Bowl Charities.”
Ohio State was able to make the holidays for children from Child Crisis Arizona a little bit more exciting by taking them on a shopping spree at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Over 50 kids were able to pick out new shoes, clothing, or bikes before receiving a PlayStation bedspread! A few days later, nearly 1,500 backpacks were stuffed with school supplies by Clemson players and Wishes for Teachers recipients to prepare children in Title 1 schools for their second semester.
Sarah Levin, Executive Director Clemson “The Clemson Tigers Player Outreach event ranks as one of the most memorable moments for us here at Back to School Clothing Drive” said Executive Director Karl Gentles. We are so thankful to the Fiesta Bowl and BHHS Legacy Foundation for their partnership and tremendous support for our organization and the impact they are making on students across this Valley. Ohio State “Watching the players interact and truly connect while shopping with the children from Child Crisis Arizona was one of the most heartwarming experiences I have ever had. Our organization is truly grateful to have been selected to have the opportunity to provide 50 low income children with holiday dreams they may not have been afforded. We know they will never forget this experience.” Jode Stoken, Chief Development Officer
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F I E S TA B O W L . O R G / C H A R I T I E S
PG 7
WISHES FOR TEACHERS Events: Wishes for Teachers Draft Day, Powered by DriveTime, Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade, presented by Cheez-It, and Cheez-It Bowl
The Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program, powered by DriveTime donated $1 million total to 200 teachers throughout the state of Arizona. Since its creation in 2016, this initiative has granted $3.2 million to hundreds of Arizona teachers. This year alone 138,447 students, 177 schools, 52 school districts and 40 cities will be positively impacted! To share the exciting news with the 2019 recipients, Fiesta Bowl Charities held Draft Day
at SNEAKY BIG Studios which was attended by local celebrities, athletes, community members and the Fiesta Bowl Family. As a celebration of having their Wish being granted, recipients were invited to attend the Cheez-It® Bowl to be recognized on the field at halftime as well as walking in the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Cheez-It® the next morning.
On the Parade “Walking in the Fiesta Bowl Parade was indescribable. People from all over the country going crazy as we walked down the street was the greatest feeling in the world. I just wish every teacher gets their chance to have that indescribable moment when they are treated like the superstars they are. Much love to the Fiesta Bowl for how much they do for our students and teachers all over the state. The Wishes for Teachers grant is going to have a lasting impact on future generations that will inevitably change the world.” Rob Lane, Sierra Verde STEAM Academy
WISHES FOR TEACHERS: Applications for Wishes for Teachers will open again this fall!
PG 8
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F I E S TA B O W L . O R G / C H A R I T I E S
PG 9
CONTACT US
J OS E MOR E NO
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K R I S TINA CHUMPOL
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F I E S TA B OWL CHAR ITIE S
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REGISTE R F O R A S I L E N T AUC TI O N DO N ATI O N I TE M
S C H EDUL E S P I R I T AT YO UR N E XT EV E N T
S UBM I T A G AM E TI C K E T RE Q UEST
F I E STA BO W L .O RG PG 10
F I E S TA B O W L C H A R I T I E S N E W S L E T T E R | V O L U M E 5