Playworks Fiesta Bowl

By Nonprofit Marketing ArizonaApril 22, 2016

Playworks and Fiesta Bowl Charities are working together to make sure recess is as fun as we all remember it to be.

As part of a three-year legacy grant totaling $90,000, Fiesta Bowl Charities is donating $30,000 a year to Playworks in an effort to sponsor a school, as they seek to connect daily recess with an overarching positive school experience.

Playworks’ mission is to provide an organized recess with opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play. Playworks currently serves more than 1,200 schools across the United States and reaches more than 700,000 students. On their playgrounds, children feel a sense of community and inclusiveness while cheering for one another which quickly transformed the organization into a leading, nationally recognized brand.

From the beginning, Playworks Arizona Executive Director Chuck Warshaver’s approach to obtaining a grant was unique. Rather than asking for a dollar amount, Warshaver invited Fiesta Bowl Charities out to preview one of its sponsored recesses and give them the opportunity to see first-hand what an impact Playworks makes on the greater Phoenix community.

The Fiesta Bowl Organization was instantly hooked on the idea.

“The partnership between Fiesta Bowl Charities and Playworks is a natural fit as both of our organizations believe in serving the community and empowering youth through education. We are extremely excited to continue building this relationship beyond the means of the legacy grant,” said Jose Moreno, director of community relations for the Fiesta Bowl.

Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Bowl Organization as a nonprofit has focused on fostering a culture of community involvement and giving, hosting a variety of events including the two elite bowl games - the Fiesta Bowl and Cactus Bowl. A long-standing tradition, the Fiesta Bowl is dedicated to cultivating a culture of community outreach and philanthropy, through which they strive to make Arizona a better place to live, work and play.

Playworks believes in the importance of seeing its benefit programs come to life. This past season, its volunteers spent gameday at the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl selling 50/50 raffle tickets and getting the crowd excited for the big game. In return for their efforts, Fiesta Bowl Charities named Playworks as the beneficiary of $6,000 from the raffle.

In addition, Warshaver actively engages the Fiesta Bowl Staff and Committee to volunteer at Playworks events throughout the year. This helps to fulfill Fiesta Bowl’s volunteer initiatives and strengthens the ties to Playworks beyond the requirements of a grant partnership.

Both organizations look forward to an exciting 2016, including school beautification projects, volunteering and the opportunity for Playworks children to attend the 2017 Cactus Bowl.