It seems that Snoop Dogg has been everywhere lately (in a good way).
Besides his long and successful career as an entertainer, Snoop was a commentator during this year’s Summer Olympics, and since the Olympics, he has been a judge on The Voice and a spokesman for numerous products.
Snoop’s increased presence showcases not only his prowess as an entertainer, but his entrepreneurial and philanthropic endeavors as well. This is especially evident for Tucson on Saturday, Dec. 28. This is when The Arizona Bowl is taking place, more on point the inaugural Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl by Gin and Juice by Dre and Snoop.
The fabric of The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl is giving back. It is one of only two bowl games that is a nonprofit. In today’s era of big money in college football, it is totally unique that 100% of proceeds from the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl go to nonprofits throughout Southern Arizona.
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This focus on giving back began with the initial sponsor of the Bowl, Jon Volpe and Nova Home Loans. Jon was good friends with one of the Bowl founders, Ali Farhang. They were both volunteer coaches for Salpointe Catholic High School, Jon coaching the running backs and Ali coaching the special teams.
Arizona Bowl executive director Kym Adair, left, and bowl board member Kate Brock-Calhoun take a selfie during the spring announcement for Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop as the bowl game sponsor.
In the bowl’s early stage, the initial title sponsor backed out. Ali asked Jon if Nova Home Loans would like to take over the role. Jon agreed that Nova Home Loans would become a five-year sponsor with one condition — 100% of the net proceeds go to charities. For Ali, that was an easy condition with which to agree.
Ali presented the idea to the rest of the founding team and the board, and everyone warmly and unanimously agreed. Over the 10 years since the first Arizona Bowl, charities have been the beneficiaries of almost $5 million in contributions. The fees paid by the Bowl’s sponsors and partners cover the organization’s operating expenses. That leaves all of the proceeds from ticket sales going to the charities.
Charities receiving donations have included the Ronald McDonald House of Southern Arizona, Tucson Indian Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona, and the Boys & Girls Club. Let me share some specific feedback from two of last year’s recipients — Children’s Clinics of Tucson and Junior Achievement.
Amy Serafin from The Children’s Clinics told me they serve over 5,000 special needs children. The Clinics run 7-8 week all-inclusive programs across a variety of activities. The children and their families become part of a community, overcoming a feeling of isolation that special needs children and their families frequently experience.
Last year’s donation from The Arizona Bowl helped the Clinics complete the construction of an adaptive recreation clinic, and adapt the venues and equipment of several sports to the needs of the children. The Arizona Bowl staff even participated in a Halloween event, helping the Clinics run their Haunted House.
Amy Serafin of the Children’s Clinics of Tucson says more than 5,000 special needs children participate inits inclusive programs across a variety of activities. Last year’s donation from The Arizona Bowl helped the Clinics complete the construction of an adaptive recreation clinic, and adapt the venues and equipment of several sports to the needs of the children.
Paloma Santiago of Junior Achievement shared the impact of the Bowl’s contribution last year on their organization. The organization works with K-12 schools and over 24,000 students. Their role is to help the students understand financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. They have 500-600 volunteers who work with schools delivering programs to the students.
Last year’s contribution from the Arizona Bowl helped Junior Achievement expand its reach into 30 more schools in the Tucson area, and expand its reach into Nogales, Arizona. As Paloma stated, “The Arizona Bowl moves the economy and gives back.”
With Snoop Dogg now an integral part of the Bowl, the philanthropic fit is so good on so many levels.
Snoop has a passion for football, especially youth football. He sponsors youth football leagues in Southern California, with over 60,000 kids participating. Known as Snoop’s All-Stars, there will now be a Snooper Bowl preceding The Arizona Bowl. The teams will be filled with the best players from Southern California playing against the best players from Southern Arizona.
Other game-affiliated events will be a sneaker gala, musical elements and Snoop in the broadcast booth announcing the game.
The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl is also a primary sponsor for the annual New Year’s Eve Downtown Bowl Bash celebration. This includes the Southwest’s largest piñata, a Kids Zone, food trucks, fireworks, and, of course, the massive Taco Drop at midnight.
The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl’s economic impact will be over $100 million for the region. If the stadium sells out (50,000 seats), the charitable donations will exceed $1 million. The teams this year are Colorado State and Miami (Ohio).
Snoop will be there. The charities throughout Southern Arizona need you to be there, too.
Sell out the stadium, enjoy the game and the festivities, and make this a year to remember for charitable giving.
