The Football playoffs started yesterday and, with my team (way) out of it (unfortunately as usual), I only paid no attention to see if my pics in a pool won last night (They did!). With my friend Eric, we picked correct on yesterday’s outcome for a pool we’ve been partnering in for three seasons; it’s fun and social. Especially this season it put us in the hated position of picking our team’s opponent even while we rooted for our team to prevail. I just hope the the interest in this year’s playoffs supports participation in the Super Bowl LX boxes to benefit the charities that my Knights of Pythias FDR Lodge 613’s foundation supports.  Gotham members have helped make this program a success.  My goal is to unveil a new set of boxes in two week at an upcoming BINGO social and fundraiser later this month (check out the cool flyer Eric designed.). If readers of this blog (and others) continue to enjoy the opportunity to support our charitable effort and reach out to this commentator for “boxes,” it ensures more resources for charities.

As explained in the prior year’s blog, my FDR Lodge 613’s Kings FDR Tolerance Foundation annually distributes donations and often scholarships each June; we hold additional fundraisers as does Gotham, including the outing to see the Mets engage the Yankees, May 16 (same afternoon as Gotham).  Last year we supported Grand Lodge Diabetes Research Association, Grand Lodge Scholarship, Hewlett House (supports Cancer survivors), the Pythian Humanitarian Fund and my personal fave, Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP-Queens).

As explained in prior blogs this Super Bowl Fundraiser employs what I call the “Ira system” of boxes after Kings-FDR Tolerance Foundation Vice President Ira Spiegel, CPA (I have discussed using a more traditional system with friend and fellow Pythians Lee and Dave at our recent post New Year “holiday party” (another Eric-made flyer.)

In contrast to most other “boxes,“ the “Ira system” provides 10 ways to win; this method ensures you follow on the game and perhaps root for teams you may otherwise despise (See the sample pic upper left.).

Until the team that last won 57 years ago returns to this league championship game, checking out my box numbers and hanging out with friends at a Super Bowl gathering certainly exceeds the game for this commentator — no matter what teams play.

Thankfully, this FDR Super Bowl fundraiser gives this fan of the team in green again not participating in the playoffs something to root for: certain scoring (or non-scoring) at the end of each quarter (overtime does not count). Gotham members often support this effort (I think they enjoy the Ira system.). Last year Gotham’s Vincent Chirico, Scott Bloom and Dan Schwartz (winner in 2024 as well) were among the winners; Gothamites Scott Bloom and Vincent Russo already got theirs as Black Friday boxes winners. (I hope I left no one out.).

Perhaps an important aside: scoring the Super Bowl spawned the creation of one of Gotham’s favorite listserves: Sportstalk@gothamnetworking.com  got spawned after Gotham’s traditional listserve got overwhelmed during the last appearance by New Jersey’s other team (that also claims a NY moniker). Some smart minds devised “Sportstalk” to move that chatter to a proper place.

If interested in participating in Super Bowl boxes (or the Sportstalk listserve), please reach out.