Super Kids-Super Sharing project exceeds goal and helps local students in need

by Adnan Alam

By MIRANDA PEREZ
Cronkite News

Boxes of books, clubs, helmets, supplies and a lot more were donated and scattered all over the Salvation Army South Mountain Kroc Community Center on Thursday morning for the NFL’s Super Kids-Super Sharing project.

Almost 400 local students and volunteers helped donate books and sports equipment to help children in need in the Phoenix area.

According to Jack Groh, Director of the NFL Environmental Program, the NFL’s goal was to collect 10,000 donated items. At the end of the event, his wife, Susan, announced that more than 33,000 items were donated.

The students also participated in a Kids Camp run by Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu, former Cardinal Frank Sanders and volunteers after the donated items were sorted.

Hundreds of students rotated to different stations to participate in drills involving, sprinting, passing, catching and juking.

The NFL has organized the Super Kids-Super Sharing project before each Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000. This year, the league teamed up with the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, Arizona Cardinals and Verizon to help children in need in the Valley.

John Dorn with the Verizon Sustainability Group also announced Verizon’s $10,000 HopeLine donation to the Back to School Clothing Drive organization.

Hundreds of students and adult coordinators in the greater Phoenix area swarmed the Salvation Army South Mountain Kroc Community Center to donate more than 33,000 items to children in need. Photo by Miranda Perez

Hundreds of students and adult coordinators in the greater Phoenix area swarmed the Salvation Army South Mountain Kroc Community Center to donate more than 33,000 items to children in need. Photos by Miranda Perez.

Director of the NFL Environmental Program Jack Groh thanks students for donations and asks them to pledge to take care of the environment. Photo by Miranda Perez

Director of the NFL Environmental Program Jack Groh thanks students for donations and asks them to pledge to take care of the environment.

Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders Brooke (left) and Erica (right) sign autographs for students before the Kids Camp. Photo by Miranda Perez

Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders Brooke (left) and Erica (right) sign autographs for students before the Kids Camp.

Camp participants run drills around cones as Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu looks on. Photo by Miranda Perez

Camp participants run drills around cones as Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu looks on.

Volunteers at the camp included members of the military. They participated in the drills with the students. Photo by Miranda Perez

Volunteers at the camp included members of the military. They participated in the drills with the students.

Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu stands by and watches intently as students participate in a variety of drills. Photo by Miranda Perez

Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu stands by and watches intently as students participate in a variety of drills.

Participants run, jump, pass and catch in a rotation of drills on a sunny day outside of the Salvation Army South Mountain Kroc Community Center. Photo by Miranda Perez

Participants run, jump, pass and catch in a rotation of drills on a sunny day outside of the Salvation Army South Mountain Kroc Community Center.