How A Tampa Bay Businessman Is Helping The Community One Zamboni Ride At A Time
While commuting through the streets of Tampa on a Zamboni may initially appear unconventional, the reasoning behind Mark Farrel’s preferred form of transportation is entirely justifiable. A few years after retiring from his engineering firm, long-time Tampa local and businessman, Mark Ferrel, pursued a way to give back to the city of Tampa and its beloved communities. Ultimately, combining his passion for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Zambonis, Mark worked with the community for six months to build the first and only street-legal Zamboni in the country – right here in Tampa, which some might say is very on-brand. Not only does this traveling Zamboni, now known as the Tampa Bay ICEBOX, provide a complimentary and unique way to travel to and from events downtown, but this community-focused vehicle also strives to raise money for local charities through donations.
The Tampa Bay ICEBOX currently works with several non-profit organizations, including On Bikes, Redefining Refuge, and Lighthouse Ministries. Each of these non-profit organizations focuses on a specific area of impact, offering a variety of services and assistance to those in need. On Bikes raises funds to provide bikes for at-risk children, as well as homeless and foster teenagers. Redefining Refuge is an advocacy agency committed to fighting for women and children who have been victims of the horrific injustice of sexual abuse, with a strong emphasis on ending the sex trafficking of minors. Lighthouse Ministries offers residential programs that provide food and shelter to the homeless, along with Family Stores that sell affordable products and clothing.
So, next time you’re looking to cruise the streets of Tampa in style, hop on the ICEBOX and help make a difference. The Tampa Bay ICEBOX operates an hour and a half before Tampa Bay Lightning home games: 5:30 PM for 7 PM games, 6 PM for 7:30 PM games, 6:30 PM for 8 PM games. First-round pickups will be at Grand Central in Channelside (E. Madison St. next to the Pour House). Subsequent pickups will be at parking lots along Cass Street and Morgan Street.
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Citations:
- Cascio, J. (2022, January 6). Lightning fans can ride Zamboni-like truck to and from games for charitable donation. FOX 13. https://www.fox13news.com/news/lightning-fans-can-ride-zamboni-like-truck-to-and-from-games-for-charitable-donation