February 6, 2021
The atmosphere was high octane at Top Golf in Tampa for the Super Celebrity Shootout sponsored by Bud Light and hosted by MLB Legend, David Ortiz, and Tampa Bay Bucs WR Chris Godwin. The red-carpet event was created to raise money for the David Ortiz Children’s Fund.
On the evening of February 6, 2021, the three-story Top Golf Tampa building was packed with nearly 600 supporters of Big Papi’s charity of choice in a safe and socially distanced outdoor venue while trying to get a glimpse of the football, baseball, basketball, music, and film celebrities in attendance.
Prices for this sold-out event were high, as a Celebrity Bay Sponsor was listed for $7,500, but included an array of perks including exclusive use of one hitting bay for five playing guests and a designated celebrity. Security was present throughout the night as a traffic jam welcomed the crowed to Top Golf and extensive red-carpet and event security controlled the flow of the partygoers.
The David Ortiz Children’s Fund is celebrating ten years of providing support to children in the Dominican Republic and in New England who cannot afford the critical cardiac services they need. David Ortiz “Big Papi” played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball. Through outreach, education, and support for medical care, the foundation is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of children who require life-saving heart surgeries. Sports Philanthropy Network has our eyes on the great work of the David Ortiz Children’s Fund and we look forward to seeing more from David and Chris Godwin (who also donated a jersey to the Global Offensive Against Trafficking—GOAT) event at the Tampa Zoo sponsored by Athletes and Causes.
Perhaps the most impressive part of the evening was when David Ortiz personally sat on the floor of the 3rd level to speak with and calm a woman who had tripped over an umbrella stand. As she waited for paramedics to arrive, Big Papi took a break from the festivities and stayed by her side, answering questions, posing for photos and generally being supportive, despite efforts of other security and event personnel trying to shuffle him back to his host obligations. In the midst of a 600+ person event, we found it touching that he would dedicate so much time to this situation.
