Replay Tampa Bay Sets New Sporting Goods Donation Record at Annual Joy of Giving Event

TAMPA, FL - Kicking off the holiday season in grand fashion, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission (TBSC), alongside the Bullard Family Foundation (BFF) and the WWE, participated in the largest Replay Tampa Bay distribution event in initiative history (2011). In total, thanks to generous community donations, 500 new sporting goods were distributed to local youth at the annual Joy of Giving event at Sligh Magnet Middle School on Saturday, December 18.

“For 10 years, Replay Tampa Bay has been a force in the community to help keep kids active and in the game,” said Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “Getting a chance to help lead the biggest distribution event to date during the holiday season when our community needs it the most is truly humbling. Having so many great community partners, especially the Bullard Family Foundation, step up for our local youth in need is a reminder that our “Team Tampa Bay” mantra goes far beyond any stadium, court, gym, field, rink, or wrestling ring.

SEE PHOTOS

WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil, who was the grand marshall for the morning’s Joy of Giving parade, as well as a series of other event partners, distributed hundreds of additional new goods. In total, over 1,000 new goods were passed out to Tampa Bay youth. The day was also the culmination of a vital partnership between the BFF and Metropolitan Ministries in attempts to feed 40,000 Tampa Bay families. 

Replay Tampa Bay, an initiative designed to "Help Keep Kids in the Game," is an annual sporting goods drive that collects new and gently used sporting goods and distributes them to the local youth. Together with Team Tampa Bay partners, the TBSC, Elder Automotive, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, and others, have collected and distributed more than 6,000 items for local kids in need since 2011. 

Previously, Metropolitan Ministries, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Charities, Pinellas Sheriff's Police Athletic League, Rich Houses, and the Family Enrichment Center have received Replay Tampa Bay goods, and in turn, hosted distribution events on their respective campuses. In March 2014, Replay Tampa Bay officially became a year-round collection and distribution initiative. For more information, visit replaytampabay.com.

Follow the Tampa Bay Sports Commission on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @SportsTampaBay for continuous updates.