AFF Partnering With Guardian ad Litem For Event Hosted At Buccaneers Training Camp
Tampa, Fla. – On Saturday, July 27th, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians and Buccaneers players will meet 100 children from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties to give out backpacks filled with school essentials, while also signing autographs, and providing inspiration and encouragement. The event will take place at the AdventHealth Training Center from 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Who: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians, Buccaneers Players and 100 children from
Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties
What: A backpack giveaway with school essentials
When: Saturday, July 27th, 4:00–7:00 p.m.
– Post-practice meet and greet and backpack distribution
Where: AdventHealth Training Center
One Buccaneer Place
Tampa, FL 33607
Please note: Due to privacy and security issues, children’s faces may not be filmed. Media looking to film or
take photographs will need to work with staff on hand to ensure necessary privacy.
Buccaneers players, the Arians Family Foundation, and the Guardian ad Litem Program – as well as the foundations that support them – realize many children in the dependency system do not get to shop for basic items when returning to school. For these children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected, inspiration that they can succeed in school and life is also in short supply. With this team effort, these organizations are hoping to provide the tools and encouragement that can make a difference for the children.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Bruce Arians and his wife, Chris, established the Arians Family Foundation to support and develop programs, which strive to prevent and ameliorate the abuse and neglect of children. The Tampa Bay area has more children in dependency than anywhere else in the state. Currently, there are about 6,500 children in our local foster care system, and the Arians family want to show these children support through activities such as the AFF Backpack Giveaway. Guardian ad Litem volunteers get to know a child, do research to identify services that are needed, and advocate for them in court. Guardians ad Litem (GAL) receive financial support for children’s needs through the non-profit partner, Voices for Children (VFC) in Hillsborough and the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay in Pinellas and Pasco.
“Studies show children with a GAL do better in school, receive more services, and are more likely to be adopted than those without,” said Chris Arians. “These children are dear to our heart and we are excited to begin a partnership in the Tampa Bay area that will benefit them.”
“This is a once in a lifetime event these kids will experience due to the generosity of the Bucs and the Arians Family Foundation,” said VFC Board President Betsy Smith
For more information about The Arians Family Foundation, go to www.ariansfamilyfoundation.com. To learn more about the Guardian ad Litem program and volunteer opportunities in Hillsborough County, visit www.galtampa.org or call (813) 272-5110; in Pinellas/Pasco Counties visit www.herotoachild.org or call (727) 464-6528. To discover how Voices for Children supports foster children in our area, go to www.vfcgal.org.
Contact: Tabitha Lambert,
Guardian ad Litem Circuit Director
813-272-5110
Contact: Amy Foster, Executive Director
Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay
727-464-6528