TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— The Glazer Family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers awarded three small businesses with tickets to Super Bowl LIX.
The three businesses were recognized for their efforts following Hurricane Helene and Milton, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced.
Tampa Bay Billboards, Gaston’s Culinary, and Duncan Real Estate were all nominated and awarded with the tickets.
The local Chamber of Commerce was asked to nominate small business owners who supported Tampa Bay after the hurricanes, according to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Our small businesses are central to what makes this community unique, and we have been so inspired by the countless stories of resilience following this devastating hurricane season,” said Darcie Glazer Kassewitz., the Buccaneers owner/Chairman Tampa Bay Foundation. Chairman Glazer Vision Foundation.
The owner of Tampa Bay Billboards, Troy Stevenson donated his trucks to serve as a mobile LED information hub that provided evacuation updates, disaster resources, and information on local comfort stations as he and his daughter were battling cancer.
Stevenson also worked as a ground-volunteer during the hurricanes offering hands-on support, according to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gaston Meredith the owner of Gaston’s Culinary provided meals for his community. After Helene, Meredith served breakfast to the Desoto Park area without support or donations.
After Milton, he provided food to more than 300 emergency workers.
Darcie Duncan of Duncan Real Estate mobilized her team after Hurricane Helene and created a Facebook group, the Anna Maria Island Hurricane Relief that shared vital information related to the storm recovery all while her home and business were damaged. More than 8,000 members joined the group where they coordinated relief efforts.
Duncan also helped activate the Anna Maria Island Community Center and transformed it into a distribution site for supplies, resources, and information, according to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Duncan also helped organize community events that included The Rock ‘N’ Support Hurricane Relief Concert and The Island Thanksgiving dinner.
“These three individuals truly went the extra mile to help others in a time of need, my family is honored to award their efforts with these Super Bowl tickets. We are also incredibly grateful to the chambers for sharing these stories and participating in the launch of the Glazer Family Small Business Fund,” Kassewitz said.