Children were given the opportunity to learn about health and nutrition via gardening at the Wellswood Park Center in Tampa Bay, FL on February 4, 2021 thanks to volunteers dedicated to creating hope and possibility through sports.
Not only did the youth learn about hydroponic gardening in an engaging and child-friendly manner, but they were also given the opportunity to build garden boxes with adult supervision. Sports Philanthropy Network volunteers, Roy Kessel (Founder) and Kayla Bradham (VP of Community Development) were on hand working with three siblings who recently moved to the area from Honduras.
Kayla said, “It was so much fun connecting with these kids. Not only am I a mom to eight children, but I also teach in Milwaukee. This felt so authentic and personal to me. I am really grateful for the opportunity to be part of this event through Sports Philanthropy Network.”
NFL Walter Peyton Man of the Year Nominee, Corey Peters, spoke via Zoom with small groups of children wearing face masks at the event. Corey asked the children what kind of vegetables they planned on growing, what their favorite vegetables were, and told them about the garden he started last summer growing collard greens. He shared his favorite veggie with them as well: fried green tomatoes. Corey reminded the children to have fun and did a fabulous job having authentic and inspiring conversations with the children at a level they could understand and be excited by.
Teaching children about the importance of gardening was a great fit that blended well with another NFL sanctioned Super Bowl event: Feeding Tampa Bay. Food and Security is one of the six pillars of the Legacy Program, making this event a perfect fit!
