Friday, Apr. 15, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Brooking foundation marks good first year, prepares for big 2005 By MICHAEL BOYLAN In 2004, Keith Brooking led the Atlanta Falcons in tackles for the fourth straight year. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to become one of the biggest defensive presences in the NFL and Brooking has brought those characteristics to his life off the field as well, especially with the Keith Brooking Childrens Foundation which marked their one year anniversary in February. The foundations mission is to serve foster children and the agencies that serve and support them. In the past year they have established a board of directors, which has been instrumental to the organizations success, have benefitted from the tremendous support of the community and have awarded over $51,000 in grant monies. Among the groups that the foundation has helped in the past year are Angels House Emergency Children Center, Eastside Elementary, Jefferson Parkway Middle School, the Boys and Girls Club, Our Fathers House after school program and the Fayette Youth Protection Home among a number of others. Helping foster children is a cause near to Brookings heart as his mother, Brenda Hembree, often took foster children in while he was growing up. In a statement on the foundations Web site, keithbrookingfoundation.org, Brooking states, My entire life, Ive watched my mother give to others before thinking of herself. She is the inspiration for the establishment of this foundation. Though the majority of the programs that the foundation helps are in Coweta County, they are reaching out to other communities in metro Atlanta. Some examples of the programs that benefit area children are the Locker 56 shoe program, which provides athletic shoes for children in need; Keiths Kids/Falcons Extra Yards Partnership, which provides 40 tickets to local youth groups and organizations for each Falcons home game; and the Keith Brooking Scholarship Program in which high school seniors in Coweta County can be awarded scholarships between $2,500-$5,000. The foundation is also working on a fitness program to benefit Atlanta area residents of all ages. Four scholarships will be awarded this year and one of them will be renewable. They also offer a grant program that provides funds to different nonprofit organizations seeking assistance. Brooking is very hands on with the foundation. The board meetings during the season are held on his off-days during the football season so that he can attend and contribute. Keith is not just lending his name to the organization, said Gina Weathersby, executive director of the foundation. He knew exactly what he wanted this foundation to be and is very involved. Brooking recently received a Freedom Award at the 2005 Teach Personal Freedoms Tour at Spelman College. The recipients were selected blindly, meaning they were chosen due to their accomplishments and not their names and affiliations. The award was presented to an individual or organization that exemplifies the values and mission of Dr. King and brooking and his foundation achieved that in their first year. The year 2005 figures to be another great year for Brooking and the foundation. They will have the Great Tailgate Kickoff June 25 at the Newnan-Coweta County Airport. The event, which features live music, live and silent auctions, celebrity athletes and guests, fun activities and more, is $75 per person and is open to 600 people. The event has several major sponsors including Coca-Cola, Sams Club, Cingular and Heritage Cadillac, and all proceeds will benefit the foundation. There will also be a golf tournament at East Lake Country Club and Fun Run in Senoia in the fall. The golf tournament will also be a benefit for the Georgia Transplant Foundation and the proceeds will be split 50-50 for the two organizations. For more information on how you can help the Keith Brooking Foundation, visit keithbrookingfoundation.org or phone 770-683-4377. |
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