NFL Donates Clothing, Journals To Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

TAMPA, FL —Ahead of Super Bowl LV, NFL staff collected new clothing and donated it to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s Sexual Assault Services department.

Captain Fear, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' team mascot, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Hillsborough County Commission chairwoman Pat Kemp, a representative from U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor's team and state Rep. Fentrice Driskell’s team were in attendance as well.

The Crisis Center’s Sexual Assault Services department serves people age 13 and older in Hillsborough County who have been assaulted. Whether the assault occurred last weekend or 15 years ago, survivors receive confidential support and resources.

The clothing donated by the NFL will be given to survivors whose own clothing is collected for evidence as part of their rape kit. These clothes ensure they have something comfortable to change into after the exam.

The NFL also provided journals that are used as an emotional healing tool for survivors.

“A sexual assault is one of the most traumatizing experiences a person can go through. As the certified rape crisis center in Hillsborough County, we know that anyone who comes through our doors is going to receive the compassion and support they need in that moment from our staff," said Clara Reynolds, president and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. "Receiving something
as simple as a new shirt in those hours after an assault can help aid in the initial healing process for a survivor. This donation from the NFL ensures that survivors have something brand new and comfortable to go home in following their exam, making a difficult situation that much easier.”

The mission of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is to ensure that no one in the community has to face crisis alone. Responding to more than 170,000 requests for help each year, the nonprofit agency offers a range of programs designed to meet community needs during a crisis or trauma:

• Gateway Contact Center (2-1-1: suicide prevention, crisis counseling and information and referral services)
• Corbett Trauma Center (trauma counseling and sexual assault survivor services)
• TransCare (9-1-1 emergency and mental health ambulance services, medical van transportation).