My husband loves football. He is from Texas, a die hard Cowboy’s fan, he has also learned to love the Colts.  Great, twice as much football on Sunday afternoons.

For him, Super Bowl Sunday is a national holiday.  For me, it’s an advertising event, time to watch the best Madison Avenue has to offer.  It is also a day to test my creative cooking skills.  Can I match the food to the teams competing?

So when Super Bowl fever began to catch hold in Indy, I didn’t get it.  I thought, it’s just a game.  But I was wrong.

Hosting a Super Bowl is about economic and community development, legacy projects and community spirit.   Here is just a small sample of what the Superbowl has done for Indy and the surrounding communities.

• The Super Bowl has provided a deadline for much needed infrastructure projects ranging from road work and neighborhood improvement projects, to the new Airport terminal, expanded convention center and Lucas Oil Stadium.  Each of which will improve the quality of life for Indy residents for years to come.
•  The Super Bowl host committee has been working on this project for years involving football fans and non fans like me to be part of the event.  From students to grandmothers,  people have come from all corners of the community, and around the world to be a part of Super Bowl 2012.  You can find just a few of their stories here http://www.xlvifaces.com/  This is truly a community event.
• More than $1 million dollars was raised for the Super Cure project, the nation’s only breast cancer tissue bank. More important then the money, the events and connection to the Super Bowl has facilitated the collection of more than 1,865 tissue samples.  These samples are distributed to labs  throughout the world working on a cure for breast cancer.
• One goal was to  plant 2,012 trees in the Indianapolis area.  To date, more than 2,876 trees have actually been planted.
• Our guests will be welcomed as they check into their hotel room, with a handwritten note or drawing by an Indiana student.  More than 18,000 students from every county in Indiana contributed these welcome greetings.
• With ten days of concerts and art exhibits this event is for the community as much as it is for the fans and visitors.
• You will be able to identify the thousands of  community volunteers by their blue and white scarves which were hand knitted by volunteers from around the world. More than  13,000 blue and white scarves have been created to be worn during the event.  ( And yes I have one too).
• The impact will reach well beyond our community.  On game day, 7,000 gift baskets will be delivered to hospitalized children in each of the 32 NFL cities .  This was a collaborative project between the Riley’s Children Foundation, The Basket of Hope Program and former Colt’s coach Tony Dungy
• With our Super Bowl smart phone application, social media command center and Social 46 volunteers ( I am excited to be one)  we have a shot at claiming the title of the most tech-connected Super Bowl ever.