New York, Jan. 31, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This year, Super Bowl Weekend's biggest winners aren't just the players on the field: Media packed the Marriot Marquis' Astor Ballroom this morning to hear Super Service Challenge founder Dave Lindsey, Executive Director Mike Lantz, and New Orleans Saints' Quarterback Drew Brees announce the four grand prize winners of the 2013 Super Service Challenge and honor their spirit of service in the workplace.
See video from Super Service Challenge and Synaptic Digital here: http://inr.synapticdigital.com/superservicechallenge/2014/
The Super Service Challenge, a nationwide charitable effort started in 2011, partners with Drew Brees' Brees Dream Foundation to encourage companies and organizations to spread a heart of service and win money for deserving charities. Throughout last fall, 2,200 teams in 42 states served more than 700 non-profit charities across the U.S. as part of the 2013 Super Service Challenge, putting in a total of 50,000 hours of service. Over $1,000,000 was given away this year to non-profits served by companies around the country this year through the Super Service Challenge.
"We're thrilled that this has become a movement," said Lindsey, who founded the Super Service Challenge after seeing the incredible catalyst of camaraderie and teamwork it sparked inside his own company, Defender Direct: Lindsey noticed that productivity increased markedly, and the company had some of its highest sales and fulfillment rates during their company-wide service challenge. From its start inside Defender Direct, the Super Service Challenge spread locally in its first year, regionally in its second, and went nationwide in its third year. The Super Service Challenge is on track to expand globally in 2014.
"This is a movement that is changing the workplace while also serving the community. Through the Super Service Challenge we have taken giving companies and turned them into companies of givers. And companies of givers are where loyalty and teamwork thrive."
Lindsey then introduced Brees, a Super Service Challenge ambassador, who was moved to partner with the Super Service Challenge in 2012 after seeing the amazing impact it had in his hometown of New Orleans. Brees officially announced this year's four grand prize winners. Brees recognized, Astoria Federal Savings for The INN in New York, Eli Lilly and Company for Keep Indianapolis Beautiful in Indianapolis, Ind., Walt Danley Realty for St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix, Ariz., and Wells Fargo for HandsOn Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Fla.These top four teams each received $25,000 for their partner charities along with four grand prize trips to this weekend's Super Bowl XLVIII.
Brees also encouraged attendees to participate in the Super Service Challenge's Acts of Service campaign to win one of two pairs of tickets to the Super Bowl. "Every act of service - large or small makes a difference," Brees explained. " Whether it's giving up your seat on the train or buying a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you. We want to challenge people to do 50,000 Acts of Service leading up to the Super Bowl."
For more information on the Super Service Challenge - and to find out how you can join - head to www.superservicechallenge.com.
About the Super Service Challenge
Founded in 2011 in Indianapolis, Ind., the Super Service Challenge's goal is to spread the mission and message of service across the United States. The nationwide initiative encourages and rewards volunteers from the workplace who come together to serve charities and have an impact in their communities. Participation is open to all who want to serve with a team from their workplace. These teams choose a local charity, serve that charity and then submit a brief, two-minute video or photo presentation of their service on the Super Service Challenge website. Winning teams receive a share of more than $1 million for their charities. In 2013, the Super Service Challenge was led by four major markets that are hosting, or have hosted, the Super Bowl.
About the Brees Dream Foundation
The Brees Dream Foundation was founded in 2003 with a mission to improve the quality of life for cancer patients, and provide care, education and opportunities for children and families in need. Brittany and Drew Brees and the Brees Dream Foundation have collectively committed and/or contributed more than $18 million to charitable causes and academic institutions. For more information, please visit drewbrees.com