Latest news with #SOUPerBowl
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Former Tennessee Titan speaks at Johnson City Salvation Army's SOUPer Bowl
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Former Tennessee Titan and Super Bowl contender Kevin Dyson spoke at one of the Salvation Army Johnson City Corps's biggest fundraisers of the year Friday. The SOUPer Bowl invites guests to hear from a football legend while supporting the Salvation Army and learning about how the organization benefits the community. The event was emceed by News Channel 11's Kasey Marler. Elizabethton woman allegedly struck victims with vehicle, killing 1 Dyson is a former wide receiver for the Titans who caught the last pass in Super Bowl XXIV. He now serves as principal of Centennial High School in Franklin, Tennessee and has written a book, 'Qualified, So I Am Justified.' Dyson said on Friday that he thinks most people do not realize all that the Salvation Army actually does to help others and typically just attach the image of Santa Claus ringing a bell and asking for donations. 'It's been a blessing to actually be a part of it and learn a little bit more about where the funds go to, how it benefits communities, and the staying power,' Dyson said. 'The length of time that an organization like the Salvation Army has been benefiting communities not just here at Johnson City, but just around the country.' Dyson signed footballs and copies of his book at the SOUPer Bowl. East Tennessee State University head football coach Will Healy also spoke at the event Friday. SOUPer Bowl guests learned that in 2024, the Salvation Army Johnson City Corps served more than 17,000 meals. As of Friday, 48 people were actively staying at the Center of Hope and working to improve their lives. 'Our team is meeting with them every day, doing a team coaching session and looking at what's going to happen for the day and how we're going to make progress,' Salvation Army Corps Officer Major Maureen Diffley said. 'It doesn't matter how you got to our doors, but we're glad that you've come. We want you to feel like we care about what's going to happen in your future.' The fundraiser helps cover the cost of providing meals and shelter. The costs of providing meals and shelter are significant; the Salvation Army spent more than $4,000 on laundry services alone during its latest White Flag season. 'It is very expensive to do what we do,' Diffley said. 'It costs $80 a day to take care of a guest in our shelter with all the services we provide, as well as we do food boxes, rental assistance, and utilities support for people in the community. So this support goes a long way to ensure that we're able to be a community player and support our neighbors in need.' The Salvation Army is open 24/7, 365 days a year, and operates during all weather events. 'It doesn't matter what is happening if there's snow or a hurricane or what have you,' Diffley said. 'We are still operating, and this has been a cold winter. This January, we were open 27 nights out of 31 for a white flag. And we have 454 nights of stay just in January.' Diffley said the Salvation Army will continue to offer shelter from the cold and elements. 'We don't know when we won't have White Flag because that cold weather is coming, but our doors will be open for everyone to have a safe, warm place to spend the night. There is no reason for anyone to freeze or be outside in the city because our doors are open ready to welcome you in.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
07-02-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
New Jersey students compete in "SOUPer Bowl" food drive against two Kansas City schools
Near the endzone in the lobby of Johnson Elementary in Cherry Hill, students spent part of Friday counting cans of soup and filling bags full of canned goods. "Everyone has so much spirit and energy," said Jaxson Cygler, a fifth grader at Johnson Elementary. The young Eagles fans are hoping to win on Sunday, and win what their principal has dubbed, the "SOUPer Bowl." "I think it's really fun because we get to interact and we get to challenge other people," said Ian Black, a student at the school. Once the Eagles won the NFC Championship, the Principal, Jared Peltzman, and the PTA challenged the students to a canned soup drive. They encouraged kids to bring the donations into school, which will then be donated to a local food pantry. Johnson Elementary held the same challenge two years ago, the last time the Birds were in the Super Bowl. "The kids are really excited about it, the families are really excited about it, so we have parents dropping them off and it's just been way more than I ever expected," Peltzman said. The challenge was also extended to two schools in the suburbs of Kansas City. The students are pitted against each other to see who can collect the most canned goods. "The principal of the school that loses has to wear the other team's colors or jersey during the Super Bowl. So we will be sending some pics back and forth," Peltzman said. The schools have also sent videos back and forth this week having some fun ahead of a Birds and Chiefs rematch. Win or lose, all three schools say the competition is helping their communities. "It's about who we can help, so whoever wins it's a win overall," Cygler said. The competition closed on Friday afternoon. Johnson Elementary did not win, but students helped collect more than 3,600 cans of food. "We want them to leave today proud of the fact they raised a lot of food for people that are in need," Peltzman said.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ridgeland mayor appointed to national committee
RIDGELAND, Miss. (WJTV) – Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2025 Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee. According to Ridgeland officials, McGee was elected to a one-year term and will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC's federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities on crime prevention, corrections, substance abuse, gun violence, municipal fire policy, juvenile justice, disaster preparedness, response and recovery, and homeland security. Salvation Army announces new event to replace SOUPer Bowl 'It's an honor to serve in this role. Public safety and crime prevention remain one of the top priorities for the City of Ridgeland,' said McGee. 'NLC's federal advocacy committees play a crucial role in advancing the policies and priorities of America's 19,000 cities, towns, and villages with federal policymakers,' said National League of Cities President Mayor Steve Patterson, of Athens, Ohio. 'I am excited to work with Mayor McGee this year to help strengthen the relationships between local and federal leaders.' The leadership of this year's committee will consist of Chair Brian Kazy, Councilman, City of Cleveland, Ohio, Vice Chair Dontario Hardy, Mayor, City of Kinston, North Carolina, Vice Chair Nic Hunter, Mayor, Lake Charles, Louisiana, and LaShay Harris, Council Vice President, City of Rochester, New York. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Salvation Army announces new event to replace SOUPer Bowl
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Salvation Army of Jackson announced a significant change to the SOUPer Bowl. The event will no longer occur on February 9, 2025. The organization will introduce a new event, Soup, Soap, & Salvation, which will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Salvation Army Community Center in Jackson. Clinton High School senior receives Silver Key Award 'While the Souper Bowl has been a cherished tradition, we recognized an opportunity to reimagine our efforts to better align with our mission of serving the most vulnerable in our community,' said Major Bethany Delaney, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army. 'Soup, Soap, & Salvation will not only continue to highlight the incredible culinary talent and celebrity servers in our area but will also raise awareness and funds for essential programs that provide food, hygiene, and hope to those in need.' Proceeds from Soup, Soap, & Salvation will directly support The Salvation Army's programs, including emergency shelter, food pantry services, and disaster relief efforts. Tickets for the event are $25 and will go on sale on February 1, 2025. For more information, visit or contact Major Bethany Delaney. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
