Signing In To Give: This moment of Purple excitement at our O'Donnell Heights Club shows the impact of Baltimore Ravens offer once they arrive to give our members the best.
The Baltimore Ravens continually show that their dedication to Charm City goes beyond making those amazing plays that have kept the fans cheering for over 25 years. Equally impressive is the flock’s dedication to the community. Since 2008, the two-time World Champions have brought their winning approach to volunteering efforts with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore and this past year was no different.
Charlie & The Callaway Elementary Library: Charlie Kolar teamed up with Model Remodeling of Maryland to improve the literary experience for students by helping to reorganize the books they all love to read.
This October, members at our Webster Kendrick Club benefitted from the Baltimore Ravens’ annual drive for outreach CAW To Action 2022. Ravens’ rookie tight end Charlie Kolar arrived at Callaway Elementary School, adjoining the Webster Kendrick Club, to help rearrange the school’s library. Most of our members are students at this educational cornerstone in this West Baltimore community. Along with Model Remodeling of Maryland, Charlie sat on the floor and began arranging children’s books before finding ‘The Blue Whale’ by Nicola Davies to read to a classroom of wide-eyed fourth graders.
“Reading to the kids today was fun because I got a chance to see what they get really excited about and I was able to help them learn something new,” Charlie Kolar said upon leaving the classroom. “I really enjoyed reading to them—they were awesome. Being able to help straighten up in the library was pretty cool, too.”
Charlie’s fun day of outreach away from the playbook into colorful fiction was a step out of the norm, but in line with how the Ravens’ winning culture of being a positive force in the community.
Kenyan At The Club: Baltimore Ravens running back Kenyan Drake makes all of our Club members feel like the superstars they truly are.
Over Thanksgiving, a time when friends, families and Club members get together to break bread over turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes, and—of course—macaroni and cheese. Our members in O’Donnell Heights were treated to a Turkey Day feast with Baltimore Ravens’ running back Kenyan Drake. Entering the Club carrying trays of hot food with the representatives from Cracker Barrell, Kenyan greeted everyone and then donned plastic gloves to start scooping helpings onto the plates of those families standing in line. He then made his way around the room to meet the residents of this East Baltimore community to talk football, sign autographs and just be one with the people. As the evening continued, this famed author of ‘The Miami Miracle’ showed that no task was too big or small for Kenyan—and it’s how it should be. His unwavering affinity for The Movement dates all the way back to his days as a Boys & Girls Clubs member during his youth enroute to his career on the gridiron.
“I love doing events like this in the community,” Kenyan began saying as he started to remove the plastic gloves used during his evening of serving food to our Club members and their families. “Boys & Girls Clubs everywhere have a special place in my heart because I was a Club member myself back in Atlanta where I’m from originally. Being able to be out here tonight with the kids and their families is why I love being in the position I am today to help when and where I can.”
Kenyan’s wish to help The Movement he loves in any way to move from the pageantry of fall and onto Christmas trees.
Smiles Of The Season: Baltimore Ravens' stars Gus Edwards and Isaiah Likely added to the festive holiday mood brimming from wall-to-wall at our Brooklyn O'Malley Club.
By December, our Brooklyn O’Malley Club members enjoyed a visit from not one but two Baltimore Ravens players when running back Gus Edwards and tight end Isaiah Likely arrived to join Turner Construction in distributing wrapped gifts. A chorus of wrapping paper being torn off the presents was quickly followed by the voices of our members joyously cheering the new additions. Yes, gifts were the focal point of this event, but the overwhelming sense of being seen and appreciated by two professional athletes who they cheer on every given Sunday is a feeling that will last a lifetime. The gifts were only half of the fun during their visit to the Brooklyn O’Malley Club. Before they departed, Gus and Isiah sat down to watch ‘Christmas Chronicles 2’ with Club members.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore—as always—is thankful for the Baltimore Ravens’ and their deep involvement with our Club members, families and communities.
Want to see what other organizations helping to positively impact our Club members? Click here to stay up to date with all the great events and people helping to shape The Movement here in Metropolitan Baltimore. Click here to find out how you can add to the impact shaping the lives of our youth all year long.
Comments