The Buccaneers partnered with Jabil and the United Way Suncoast on Monday in an effort to renovate and re-open Grant Park Community Center and Playground.
Some of the improvements range from a fresh coat of paint, a new hydroponic garden where residents can grow their own fruits and vegetables, picnic tables sporting the Bucs brand, a new outdoor performance stage, a refurbished computer lab with new IT equiptment, work stations for adults and students to use, as well as a printer; and a teen hang-out space.
“Jabil is extremely pleased to have developed a meaningful community partnership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that allow our organizations to give back in such a purposeful manner,” said Senior Vice President, Beth Walters of Jabil.
Over 80 children and their families anxiously waited for the reveal of their newly improved community space. After checking out the new center, they were led outdoors where they were greeted by over a dozen Buccaneers players who taught them safe youth playing with a few football drills, they were also each surprised with a new pair of Under Armour cleats.
Also in attendance were Mayor, Bob Buckhorn, Team Owner and President of the Glazer Family Foundation, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, and Chief Operating Officer for United Way Suncoast, Suzanne McCormick as well as Captain Fear, the Buccaneers front office staff and the Buccaneers cheerleaders.
“The Buccaneers, through our players and our entire staff, have given thousands of community service hours because it’s one of the most valuable and important things we can do as a franchise, we want to be champions both on and off the field and today, with support from our partners at Jabil, everybody came out with the common goal of lifting up the community. That’s what it’s all about.” said Glazer Kassewitz.
City Mayor, Buckhorn also stated,
“The Buccaneers have a long history of caring and investing in the community. This place looks spectacular and it’s going to affect the lives of every one of those little kids out here.”