By Collin Moran
The Saint Leo Student Government Union (SGU) took a handful of Yankees fans to meet the team at the 21st annual New York Yankees Luncheon benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa.
The charity lunch took place on Mar. 21 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina. Students were asked to fill out an application and write a short essay on why they believed they should be able to attend such a special event. For the students that were chosen to go, it was truly a once in a lifetime experience as this is only one of two times all year where the team in its entirety meets with the public.
The luncheon hosts nearly 600 people every year and is one of the most profitable events for the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa. Fans who purchase tickets get a 25-minute autograph session with the past and present players, as well as coaches, followed by a catered lunch and program for the rest of the event. Almost all the proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa, making this once in a lifetime event good for the community as well.
According to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay website, “This popular event has raised more than $4.5 million to provide a better future to the 15,000+ youth we serve.”
There were also several live and silent auctions for fans to bid on unique travel experiences as well as signed jerseys and other memorabilia, with the proceeds benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs. For any Yankees fan that attended the luncheon, it was truly an amazing experience to meet the players and even take home some signed souvenirs that will be cherished for a long time.
The program that was put on during the lunch portion featured speakers such as Hal Steinbrenner, whose father George started the event more than two decades earlier, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Youth of the Year, Altorian Salary, who talked about how the club has changed his life for the better.
A short movie was played highlighting the New York Yankees history as well as what to look forward to in 2017, but it also focused a large portion of time talking about what the Boys and Girls Clubs has done for youth in the Tampa community.
SGU gave this group of students a great opportunity, and everyone left with a smile on their face. Saint Leo keeps a strong relationship with the Boys and Girls Clubs and is a big supporter of the what the organization does. For anyone interested in donating or getting involved with the organization, visit http://www.bgctampa.org/ for more information. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay can always use more support, so don’t be afraid to get involved.
