VINCENT COUNTRY SAFE ZONE ACTIVITY DAY PRESENTED BY CIGNA HEALTHCARE WAS HELD AT GARYVILLE/MT. AIRY MATH AND SCIENCE MAGNET SCHOOL DURING SUPER BOWL LIX WEEK
Fifth Ward Elementary School Students Joined in the Safe Zone Event Activities
GARYVILLE, La., Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vincent Country Safe Zone Activity Day Presented by Cigna Healthcare was held today during Super Bowl LIX week at Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School. This year, students from Fifth Ward Elementary School were invited to participate. Safe Zone Activity Day Presented by Cigna Healthcare is a Love Thy Neighbor CDC event co-founded by NFL Executive Troy Vincent, Sr. and his wife and philanthropist, Tommi A. Vincent. The event provides a safe haven for students living in under-resourced areas in close proximity to the NFL Super Bowl activities. Now in its eighth year, the Vincent Country Safe Zone Activity Day Presented by Cigna Healthcare activation included over 600 students (preK-8) who enjoyed a day of fun, food, wellness, and interactive sports activities, including NFL Flag. At the close of the school day, faculty and staff participated in a luncheon and empowerment session.
"Our entire family is committed to providing compassion and resources for students through Love Thy Neighbor CDC," said Tommi A. Vincent. "Our signature activation during Super Bowl week, Safe Zone Activity Day, is made possible by the unwavering support and partnership with Cigna Healthcare who is committed, like us, to provide healthy experiences for children."
Troy Vincent, Sr. stated, "We are excited to see the continued growth of Vincent Country Safe Zone Activity Day over the last eight years. To date, with our longstanding valuable partners Cigna Healthcare, Zebra Technologies, and Infinite Athlete, we have positively impacted over 3,400 students and 400 educators and contributed more than $575,000 in funds and "wish list" items to participating schools. With new partners, Stand Together and Chick-fil-A, we know we will continue to make an impact."
Lead sponsor Cigna Healthcare provided game stations for the children and offered free health screenings and skin cancer checks at their Wellness In Motion mobile clinic for parents, faculty, staff, and members of the community ages 18 and older. Children received free eye exams and glasses provided by Cigna Healthcare Vision, and the company's Evernorth Behavioral Health team hosted mind-body wellness activations for students and staff.
"We're proud to team up once again with Vincent Country and the NFL to host fun, healthy activities that bring a bit of Super Bowl excitement to the kids in this community," said Tim Vessel, Cigna Healthcare general manager for South Texas and Louisiana. "Together with our Vision and Evernorth Behavioral Health colleagues, we are helping to improve health and vitality for these students, teachers, staff and local families."
This year's event, themed – The Road to Success! – featured the unveiling of a leave-behind mural sponsored by long standing partner Zebra Technologies who commissioned award winning local artist Vitus Shell.
"We are excited to continue our support of Vincent Country's Safe Zone Activity Day, creating enduring memories for the students and educators, including the local artist's mural which will remind them of this special day," said Bill Burns, CEO, Zebra Technologies. "We look forward to this event each year and the opportunity to give back to local communities which is a core part of Zebra's culture and values. We congratulate Vincent Country for making a positive impact on Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School and beyond."
Infinite Athlete, a multi-year partner, donated a new playground set to Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School. "We are honored to continue our partnership with Vincent Country as they continue to drive change and impact in communities across the country," said Annie Gerhart-Ramsay, co-founder, Infinite Athlete. "Being able to help enrich student activity at Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School through a new playground is exactly the type of social impact that can have a positive influence across the entire school community, and we are proud to be part of that."
Once again, an exciting sports segment of the day was NFL FLAG, the official flag football league of the NFL and the largest flag football organization in the U.S. The game was led by NFL Global Flag Football Ambassador Bobby Taylor, an NFL Legend and 10-year veteran with the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks. NFL FLAG is aimed at increasing the number of kids participating in the sport, with an emphasis on increasing the number of programs in under-resourced communities. Through partnerships, NFL FLAG has brought flag football to thousands of schools, communities, and families around the country. Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School and Fifth Ward Elementary students enjoyed fun, safe, competitive, team-building, and inclusive experience for the boys and girls through the NFL FLAG game.
"I am extremely humbled and honored that Vincent Country chose Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School as their school recipient to give our students an exciting, empowering, and memorable day," said Dr. Kara Lawson, Principal at Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School. "Troy and Tommi Vincent, the NFL former and current players, volunteers, and sponsors brought the Super Bowl experience here to our students and we were excited to invite students from Fifth Ward Elementary led by principal Rajean Butler to enjoy the day. We are especially excited to also be awarded all of the items on our wish list, the opportunity for students to receive free eye exams and wellness conversations, as well as a reminder of the day with the beautiful mural created for us to remember this amazing day for a lifetime," she concluded.
Stand Together – a philanthropic community that helps America's boldest changemakers tackle the root causes of our country's biggest problems— also a new partner donated Chromebooks from the schools "wish list" and provided access to Khanmigo, Khan Academy's AI-powered online tutor; STEM Library Lab, a local nonprofit providing STEM equipment and empowering educators; and Empowered, a national educator community that supports teachers with the tools, resources, and training they need to inspire and empower students to reach their full potential. A second activation and donation by Stand Together is scheduled to take place at the STEM Library Lab on Wednesday, February 5th.
"We believe that every child has a gift and that the purpose of education is to help each child discover, develop, and apply their gifts so they can realize their potential. Investing in teachers who help kids do this is one of the most important things we can do as a society," said Brian Hooks, chairman and CEO of Stand Together. "We're proud to partner with Troy and Tommi Vincent for Vincent Country Safe Zone Activity Day – an effort that supports teachers and families working to help kids on this journey to a meaningful and successful life."
Diahann Billings-Buford, CEO of RISE has continued their partnership with Vincent Country and this year, sponsored four new basketball systems for the school and held interactive learning discussions with students in the 6th to 8th grades. Also participating this year were students from the NFL's "Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) Experienceship" scholars" who volunteered throughout the day.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. has teamed with local Owner-Operator Jasmine Spraggins of Chick-fil-A LaPlace and local multi-unit Owner-Operator Chris Salomone to provide boxed lunches to the children and volunteers as part of Chick-fil-A's commitment to ending hunger. Brent Fielder, Vice President of Global Impact for Chick-fil-A, Inc. shared how the Safe Zone Activity Day is an example of one-way Chick-fil-A is caring for communities. "Demonstrating care is core to our culture and at the heart of everything we do at Chick-fil-A. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with our local Owner-Operators and Love Thy Neighbor CDC to serve the children and volunteers at this impactful event."
NFL current players, Hall of Famers, and Legends included Coach Eddie Mason, who facilitated and led the day long Vincent Country Safe Zone Activity Day Presented by Cigna Healthcare exercise challenges, and famed choreographer and producer Markus Shields led the dance fitness fun, along with Troy Vincent, Sr., Takeo Spikes, Bobby Taylor, NFL players Juwan Johnson, Kendre Miller, Jaylan Ford, and a host of volunteers including NFL staff, RISE, and undergraduate and graduate students from the surrounding New Orleans HBCUs.
Later in the week, the Vincent's will host their signature luncheon Stay A While: Breaking Bread with the Vincents at Son of a Saint. Tommi Vincent, also known as Chef Tommi V., will collaborate with New Orleans private chef - Chef Ashley Jonique. Together they will showcase their culinary talents while celebrating school leadership and thanking corporate sponsors.
Continuing this year is the virtual fundraising component that accompanies Vincent Country Safe Zone Activity Day Presented by Cigna Healthcare where additional funds and "wish list" items are raised to further benefit Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School. This year's virtual team captains are NFL Legends: Troy Vincent, Sr., Takeo Spikes, and New Orleans Saints players, Juwan Johnson, Demario Davis, and Cam Jordan. The results of the online fundraiser will be announced later in the week. Please visit the site for additional online auction information: https://www.ltncdc.org/
ABOUT: Love Thy Neighbor Community Development & Opportunity Corporation (LTN) partners with schools, food suppliers, resource providers, and corporations to meet diverse community needs. Their efforts address educational inequities, provide school supplies, support youth leadership, create safe activities, and ensure year-round access to nutritious meals. Currently, LTN focuses on elementary education and domestic violence prevention. For more information visit: https://www.ltncdc.org/
ABOUT VINCENT COUNTRY: Vincent Country is the family lifestyle brand committed to positive social impact. Developed by Troy and Tommi A. Vincent, the family is leading and enriching the culture and communities through intentional service and legacy-inspired cooking. Vincent Country is informed by a lifetime commitment to service, through this mantra the Vincent's established Love Thy Neighbor Community Development and Opportunity Corporation (LTN). Every year during the Super Bowl, Vincents host multiple community-focused events and partner with various organizations and companies, including school systems, food suppliers, and resource providers. Vincent Country pays homage to the accomplishments and the strength of the family unit and provides inspiration for families committed to building strong, secure, and sustainable relationships based on the principles of "Faith, Family, Food." For more information visit: www.vincentcountry.com
ABOUT CIGNA HEALTHCARE: Cigna Healthcare is a health benefits provider that advocates for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the health care system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality. Products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Evernorth Health companies or their affiliates and Express Scripts companies or their affiliates. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and others. Learn more at cignahealthcare.com.
ABOUT ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES: Zebra provides the tools to help businesses grow with asset visibility, connected frontline workers and intelligent automation. The company operates in more than 100 countries, and our customers include over 80% of the Fortune 500. Designed for the frontline, Zebra's award-winning portfolio includes hardware, software, and services, all backed by our 50+ years of innovation and global partner ecosystem. Follow Zebra on our blog and LinkedIn, visit our newsroom and learn more at www.zebra.com.
ABOUT STAND TOGETHER: Stand Together is a philanthropic community that tackles the root causes of our country's biggest problems. They partner with the country's boldest changemakers to drive solutions on education, economic opportunity, bridging divides, and dozens of other pressing issues. Learn more at www.standtogether.org and Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.
ABOUT CHICK-FIL-A: Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States, known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. More than 200,000 Team Members are employed by independent owner-operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. In 2023, the company shared plans to expand by 2030 into Europe and Asia. Chick-fil-A owner-operators live and work in the communities their restaurants serve, each supporting local efforts to address hunger, education, and making a positive impact. The family-owned and privately held company was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.comand @ChickfilANews.
Event Images Here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/e737li7mejki8xq8dilld/ABkPQl814W-php0dPkXVipY?rlkey=mocqqr999bgcx0psbuhngzdsp&st=gi050n4t&dl=0
SOURCE Love Thy Neighbor/Vincent Country
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