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
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SOURCE Love Thy Neighbor/Vincent
Country
