Steinbrenner's philanthropy, love for Tampa well known

TAMPA - Nationally, many people believed that long-time owner of the New York Yankees lived in the Big Apple, but he lived right here.

The son of a long time shipping magnate, George M. Steinbrenner first came to Tampa in the early 1970s in pursuit of expanding the family maritime business.

He had come from his home state of Ohio to take a look at local ship builder, bought the place, and chose to stay.

"Tampa is a great city" said Steinbrenner in a 2005 interview with Tampa Bay Metro Magazine. "The people make it great. New York’s my home away from home, but I love Tampa, my wife loves Tampa."

And Tampa loved 'The Boss.'

While Steinbrenner is known the world over for stirring things up with his New York Yankees, the Tampa area knows his heart is among the biggest in that world.

George Steinbrenner and his family have been one of Tampa’s biggest philanthropic forces, donating resources to literally hundreds of charitable ventures  and there are likely countless examples of support that have never been revealed.

It was well known that Steinbrenner loved to help disadvantaged children, athletes, coaches, musicians, law enforcement, firefighters, and members of the armed forces.

Steinbrenner underwrote the Gold Shield Foundation, which helps families of slain local law enforcement officers. He started the Silver Shield Foundation which does the same in New York.

He donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to area schools. He has provided a quarter million dollars to Tampa Catholic to upgrade their football facility. He donated enough to the Academy of Holy Names to build an aquatic center. He paid for several high school bands to travel to various events - Gaither High School once got $25,000 for a trip to Washington for a presidential inauguration. He hosted an annual banquet to recognize high school coaches. He sponsored an annual high school football tournament at Raymond James Stadium.

He and his family help support the Boys & Girls Clubs, The Salvation Army, the Warrior Foundation and Feeding America. For years he sponsored a children's holiday concert at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. He has sent Yankees players to a camp for terminally ill children. And the list goes on and on.

Many in and around the Tampa Bay area have honored him over the years. Steinbrenner was named the Civitan Club's "Outstanding Citizen" in 1993. In 1998, Tampa Law Enforcement called him the "Citizen of the Year."

In 2009, Hillsborough County opened George M. Steinbrenner High School. In 2008, the Yankees spring training home was renamed Steinbrenner Field. He helped build the emergency center at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, and it bears his name, as does a Boys and Girls Club in Tampa.

Although the man with the great big heart has moved on, he will forever be a part of Tampa Bay.