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RAVENS IN THE COMMUNITY |
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Saturday night (April 7), Michael McCrary was recognized by the
National Football League Player's Association as the League's
"Humanitarian of the Year" primarily due to his exceptional support of Special
Olympics Maryland and PAL. Saturday night, Michael was honored at a fundraising
banquet hosted by the NFLPA which was attended by well over 1,000 people
in Washington, DC. As the guest of honor, Michael invited SOMD Board
Chair - Colonel David Mitchell, Board Development Chair - Jim Myrick and his son
Jim Jr. (who competes for Special Olympics Montgomery County) and Charles
County athlete Bobby Carroll and his Dad Buddy, to represent SOMD as his
personal guests. As part of Mike's acceptance speech, he dedicated his award to
the courage and spirit of ALL Special Olympics athletes and asked Jimmy and
Bobby to join him on stage. I have attached a couple of photographs
which capture the magic of that moment. The gold medal which Michael wears
around his neck was signed and presented to him earlier in the evening by Jim
Myrick Jr. who had won it the weekend before at the State Basketball
Tournament. The woman over Mike's shoulder is Mike's incredible Mom,
Sandy - who really has provided the professional guidance for Michael's
exceptional charitable endeavors. The banquet will be a part of a 1
hour special on Fox SportsNet sometime in August (I will send out details as
I receive them). I would again like to formally thank the amazing Michael
McCrary, his family, and the entire Baltimore Ravens organization for
allowing the athletes of SOMD to experience magical nights like this!
Needless to say - our pride in Michael's career, both as a football
player and as a community citizen - has no limits.
Stay tuned for our "Michael McCrary for NFL Man of the Year" publicity
campaign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Miller Lite Player of the Year |
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SunTrust Community Touchdown |
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Subway "Sack Childhood Illness" Program |
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At the conclusion of the NFL Regular Season, several Ravens partners
contributed to Ravens charities in honor of the on-field accomplishments
of
the team.
Rob Burnett was selected by Miller Lite as the Ravens Player of the Year.
In honor of Rob's outstanding season, in which he totaled 97 tackles, 10.5
sacks, and 4 fumble recoveries, Miller Lite contributed $2,500 to the
Ravens
Foundation for Families. Miller Lite also donated over $130,000 to local
charities during the 2000 season.
By the end of the season, SunTrust donated a total of $20,000 to the
Ravens
Foundation for Families. The contribution was part of SunTrust's
Community
Touchdown program that awarded $1,000 to RFF for each Ravens touchdown
during home games.
Subway's "Sack Childhood Illness" Program contributed $5,000 to the
University of Maryland Medical System Children's Hospital this year. In
attempt to fight childhood sickness in Baltimore, Subway donated $100 for
each Ravens defensive sack this season.
On Friday, December 22, Ravens running back Jamal Lewis invited 120
children, ages 3-15, to join him at the YMCA of Central Maryland's Druid
Hill Branch for a Christmas party. The party included a decor of festive
balloon sculptures, a Christmas tree, and a holiday feast for all those
who
were there. In addition to the elaborate party, Lewis donated a new
bicycle
to each of the children who attended the event.
Some children at Lewis' party are residents of the Druid Hill YMCA's
Transitional Housing Program, which provides housing for up to two years
for
previously homeless women and their children while permanent housing and
employment are being sought. Others are kids who attend the YMCA's Safe
and
Sound after-school program. Lewis commented, "Druid Hill reminds me so
much
of the neighborhood where I grew up in Atlanta and it gives me much
pleasure
to see the Druid Hill YMCA giving the kids and their families such great
recreational programs."
Baltimore Ravens Center Rod Payne, along with Heaven 600, celebrated
Kwanzaa at the Rognel Heights Cultural Center on Tuesday, December 26
from
1 PM until 4 PM. In the spirit of Kwanzaa, Rod provided zawadi --
meaning
gifts in swahili -- to over 100 children living in the Edmondson Village
area. He challenged the children to stay away from drugs, crime, and
violence. In addition, the children made a commitment to do well in
school.
On Monday, December 18, and Tuesday, December 19, every member of the
Baltimore Ravens took time to spread holiday cheer to children in the
Baltimore community. This marks the 5th straight year that members of the
Baltimore Ravens team have participated in holiday visits.
On December 18, members of the team made visits to children who are
in-patients at the University of Maryland Medical System Children's
Hospital. Players visited with the children, took pictures, and signed
autographs. Also on Monday, other members of the Ravens took time to visit
youth at the Ravens' Courage House at St. Vincent's Center in Timonium, MD.
The highlight of the visit was a special appearance by Santa Claus played by
Ravens starting guard, Edwin Mulitalo.
On Tuesday, another group of players led by defensive end Michael McCrary,
hosted children from the Police Athletic League and Special Olympics at the
ESPNZone in downtown Baltimore. Later that day, tackle Jonathan Ogden and
his Varsity Club at Patterson High School hosted a Christmas party for 220
young students at John Ruhrah Elementary School in Baltimore. Ogden then
donated $2500 to the athletics department at Patterson High.
On Tuesday, December 12, Ravens running back, Priest Holmes, and
linebacker Jamie Sharper hosted 100 Baltimore Area students for the NIKE Kids Clinic
at the Clarence "Du" Burns Arena in Baltimore City. Holmes and Sharper
taught the children valuable football and life skills at the 2 hour camp designed
to generate interest in the game of football and introduce youth to proper
training methods.
Kids attending the event each received a t-shirt and hat courtesy of NIKE.
They also participated in football drills such as the field goal kick, the
obstacle course, and the pass catch. Afterwards, each child received an
autographed team picture from Holmes and Sharper.
Thanks to the generosity of the Baltimore Community and with the help of
the
Baltimore Ravens All-Pro Middle Linebacker Ray Lewis, many of Baltimore's
neediest families will be enjoying the holiday season this year.
Lewis hosted a holiday toy drive on December 12 from 6:00 am until 10:00
am
at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) on Security Boulevard. Ray
was on hand during the entire morning to collect toys, greet patrons and
sign autographs for all Ravens fans who participated in the Ray Lewis Toy
Drive.
Lewis contacted Baltimore Area officials and asked them to identify needy
families in the community who will be the beneficiaries of all the toys
and
gifts that were collected. Helping others this holiday season is nothing
new to Ray Lewis. Since coming to Baltimore, he has constantly reached
out
to area youth and their families. He preaches the importance of family
and
education by rewarding children with tickets to games, hosting holiday
parties, and visiting the sick in area hospitals.
The Baltimore Ravens and Ray Lewis thank all of the Baltimore residents
who
contributed to the Ray Lewis Holiday Toy Drive this year.
On Friday, December 1, the Baltimore Ravens, in partnership with the
Ravens Wives Association and the Metropolitan Firefighters Burn Center Fund,
hosted the 4th annual "FANtastic" Charity Event. The event took place at the
Hyatt Regency Baltimore from 7 to 11 p.m.
Highlights from the event included autograph and photo sessions with
Ravens players and coaching staff, a silent auction and a black-tie dinner.
All proceeds raised at the "FANtastic" Charity Event went to benefit the
Baltimore Regional Burn Center at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
This year, a special focus of the money raised will be used to support the
burn survivor aftercare program, which provides rehabilitation services
and support to pediatric burn survivors as they rebuild and move on with their
lives.
The Baltimore Ravens' Mascot Poe, took time to meet, greet and serve
Thanksgiving Dinner to some of the over 2,500 people who attended Goodwill
Industries of the Chesapeake's 45th annual Thanksgiving DInner and Career
Fair on Wednesday, November 22. The event took place at the Baltimore
Convention Center from Noon to 3pm.
Poe was just one of over 350 Baltimore-Area volunteers who dedicated part
of their day to serve turkey dinners and all the trimmings to disadvantaged
citizens of Baltimore. In addition to the hearty meal, Goodwill also
sponsored a Career Fair where guests were able to talk with over 20 social
service agencies and meet with members of Goodwill's career development
staff.
On Sunday, November 19, prior to the home game versus the Dallas Cowboys,
the Baltimore Ravens conducted their annual food drive to benefit the
Maryland Food Bank.
Players' wives, mothers, and family members greeted Ravens' fans at all
gates to accept canned goods and monetary donations. Earnest and Tina
Byner also joined representatives from the Maryland Food Bank, Campbell's Chunky
Soup, and Von Paris for the post food drive collection on Monday, November
20.
This year the Ravens Family collected over $5,000 and 27,000 pounds of
food that will be distributed by the Maryland Food Bank to help feed hungry
families in the Maryland area this holiday season.
The Ravens Family thanks all of the fans who contributed to this
year's successful Family Food Drive.
Click here to read the press release
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