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Metro Phoenix is buzzing this week. With the FBR Open and the Super Bowl in the same two-week period, local merchants are salivating at the potential. GoDaddy CEO Bob Parsons, one of our local corporate heros, is anticipating huge Web site visits for his company's rejected Super Bowl spot. But one thing you may not know, however, is that the Super Bowl brings out the best in celebrity charity fundraising.
Here's the rundown:
1. the NFL Alumni Super Bowl of Golf Showcase with dozens of NFL greats raising money for NFL Alumni youth charities.
2. Super Bowl NFL Charities Celebrity Golf Classic with former players. Proceeds benefit the NFL's YET (Youth Education Town) Center in south Phoenix.
3. The Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic has NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, singer, Nick Lachey and 36 celebs competing for $20,000 a hole for their favorite charities. There's also a private pre-show party featuring P. Diddy.
4. Bowl with Champions benefits the Special Olympics and the NFL Retired Players Association. Mike Ditka is a guest.
5. The Super Bowl NFL Charities Celebrity Bowling Classic will have 40 celebs on hand with Lynn Swann as spokesperson. Again, YET is the recipient of proceeds.
6. Put Me in Coach SuperBowling Extravaganza will have 32 celebs and athletes (inlcuding members of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks) raising funds for the Put Me in Coach Foundation, providing scholarships for local kids.
And that's not all!
7. Hearts & Helmets Poker Tournament with Pamela Anderson and Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns) hoping to raise $1 million for a variety of charities.
8. Par & Poker Celebrity Challenge for Charity begins with celebrity golf at the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club and ends with poker at the Radisson Fort McDowell Casino.
9. Put Me in Coach Celebrity Poker & Fashion Show has Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns raising money for the Put Me in Coach Foundation.
Thanks to the Arizona Republic for the scoop on this.
So aside from Phoenix welcoming a roster of celebrities and athletes, and Glendale playing host to the big game, a lot of charitable giving is happening around town. And as Martha says, that's a good thing.
Anyone want to rent a room in my house for $1000 a night? Just kidding. :)
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Comments
Elaine - thanks for pointing out that there's another side to the Super Bowl and all of its hype. It's nice when an event like this can generate philanthropic interests as well . With the draw and star-powered weekend, some good should be drawn from the chaos.
As for the $1000 room... does that come with tickets to the game?!?
Keep Cooking!
Andrew
Posted by: Andrew B. Clark | 01.31.08
Hey, Andrew. Wish I could oblige. I'm sure the local scalpers would entertain an offer! All I have is a Super Bowl XLII shirt given to me by the Host Committee. I have to watch the game on TV like everybody else.
Posted by: Elaine Fogel | 02.01.08
I am happy to learn about the various charities that benefited.
By the way, the game was great today. Very impressive.
I have to say, though, that I was only impressed with a handful of the advertisements.
Posted by: Neil Anuskiewicz | 02.04.08
Me, too, Neil. Although I did like the Coke spots. Very creative - simple and fun.
Posted by: Elaine Fogel | 02.04.08
http://www.myspace.com/superbowlads
My favorite is still the Budweiser ad in the Second Quarter with the Clydesdale and the Dalmation.
Elaine, I somehow missed it during the game but the Coke commercial was great. It was shown in both the Third and Fourth quarters so I don't know how I missed it. Vive La Internet.
Posted by: Neil Anuskiewicz | 02.04.08
I liked that one, too, Neil. Anything with dogs scores well with me. Well, almost always.:)
Posted by: Elaine Fogel | 02.05.08