The Minnesota Super Bowl countdown is on and so is the 52 weeks of giving campaign.
Super Bowl Committee kicks off 52 weeks of giving
Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee kicks off 52 weeks of giving.
February 8, 2017 at 8:16PM
The first grant went to the Loppet Foundation to help build the Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. The committee donated $52,000, money raised from private donations.
Construction is expected to begin on the the Trailhead project later this year. It's a joint effort between the foundation and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. The project includes a yearround facility and improved recreation areas at the park in north Minneapolis.
The Super Bowl committee is giving out the grants in an effort to make Super Bowl LII (52) a statewide event. The grants will be targeted at youth sports safety. The Loppet Foundation conducts youth outreach to improve community health.
"Since 2002, 9,000 young people from our neighboring community of North Minneapolis have taken part in our youth programs," said John Munger, executive director of the foundation.
The foundation partners with elementary, middle and high schools near Theodore Wirth Park. The youths participate in outdoor activities like mountain biking, cross country skiing, trail running, paddling and orienteering.
The Super Bowl Host Committee is a private nonprofit corporation formed to run the NFL's big game Feb. 4, 2018. To put on the event, the committee is raising more than $30 million although they won't say how much.
These Minnesotans are poised to play prominent roles in state and national politics in the coming years.
