January 28th, 2013 
Worldwide sports fans and New Orleanians alike are counting down to Superbowl XLVII held in the Mercedes Benz Superdome between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. As we prepare to chow down and cheer on football’s biggest day, the Superbowl Host Committee of New Orleans is making an effort to give back to the city of New Orleans in its Super Saturday of Service on Saturday, February 2, 2013.
In collaboration with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC), Young Leadership Council (YLC), the Urban League of Greater New Orleans Young Professionals (ULGNYP), and the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, the host committee, with the help of volunteers from all over the world, will seek to refurbish five NORDC playgrounds. This major community initiative is made possible by a one million dollar grant donated to New Orleans by the NFL.
Playground projects include:
- Lyons Center- Katrina related repairs to gym, computer lab, dance facility, etc.
- Harrell Stadium- instillation of artificial turf to football field with a portion of the turf reclaimed for the Saints 2012 season and the upcoming Superbowl
- Hunters Field- installation of field lighting, new basketball courts, computer lab, aluminum seating, a new playground, etc.
- Pontchatrain Park- natural turf replacement, walking paths, softball and tea ball fields, playground equipment, etc.
- Kingswood Park- park lighting, construction of new picnic shelter, etc.
Volunteer applications for this project are no longer being accepted at this time. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to help. Hosting a Superbowl party? Ask attendees to bring canned goods and other non perishables to be donated the local Food Bank. Make a friendly wager on who will win and donate proceeds to a local non profit. Help do minor improvements on the home of an elderly neighbor. There are many ways to help. The ball is in your court!
