Good news in the NFL

All right-ie then, with all of the hubbaloo in the NFL about this player getting suspended or that player being fined, I thought it would a positive vibe to touch on the good being done by players throughout the NFL. Camp has started for some teams, about to start for others, so why not get things rolling with good karma... Naturally, since I am a fan of the Baltimore Ravens, we will start with some charity work the Organization and the players are in volved with..I request each of the other bloggers who cover their favorite NFL team to do the same; come, you have good in your hearts! Among the Baltimore Ravens' current charitable partners: Aunt Hattie's Place - A residential home for boys aged 9-18, Aunt Hattie's Place provides the young men with a total "Wrap Around year-round home-like environment." Such an environment includes a nurturing, stable home and educational, medical and clinical services. Boys Hope Girls Hope - Boys Hope Girls Hope helps academically capable and motivated children in need to meet their full potential and become men and women for others by providing value-centered, family-like homes, opportunities and education through college. Living Classrooms - The educational campus in downtown Baltimore provides hands-on education and job training, focusing on at-risk youth and groups from diverse backgrounds. Paul's Place Outreach Center - A full service facility which serves the residents of "Pig Town," in southwest Baltimore. Programs and services include a hot lunch program, women's and men's support groups, an after school program and a clothing bank. Kyle Boller, Kyle Boller Fund The Kyle Boller Fund was established in June 2005 to allow the quarterback to streamline his community efforts. Hailing from a family of firefighters (father, grandfather, great-grandfather, three uncles), Boller will help families of firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty, in addition to promoting fire safety and assisting active duty Baltimore area firefighters and policemen. Mark Clayton, Mark Clayton Foundation The mission of the Mark Clayton Foundation is to be dedicated in serving the community by promoting a road of positive choices and relating the importance of establishing goals for our youth while empowering their minds to be successful. For more information, visit www.clayton89.com. Devard Darling, As One Foundation The mission of the As One Foundation is to provide underprivileged youth, both nationally and internationally, with more educational and developmental opportunities through athletic endeavors, educational programming, and spiritual enrichment. For more information, visit www.asonefoundation.org. Matt Katula, The Katula #70 Foundation The Katula #70 Foundation exists to provide for the growth and development of community sports programs. The nonprofit organization intends to help children that need financial support and guidance to achieve their goals. For more information, visit www.perfectlaces.com. Ray Lewis, Ray Lewis Foundation The Ray Lewis Foundation is a non-profit tax-exempt corporation whose mission is to provide personal and economic assistance to disadvantaged youth. Ray has built a strong reputation on and off the field as a leader who cares enough to get things done. Since Ray first arrived in Baltimore, he has been a community staple when it pertains to helping the youth. Annually, Ray hosts a back to school kickoff event, the Ray Lewis Great Maryland Duck Derby, a Thanksgiving donation to 440 of Baltimore's neediest families and a Holiday Gift Marketplace where youth can "shop" for gifts for themselves and loved ones. For more information, visit www.raylewis52.com. Derrick Mason, Derrick Mason Foundation The Derrick Mason Foundation was established to provide at-risk children and families in the Nashville area with opportunities to pursue their dreams. The foundation will provide interactive programs and events that directly benefit children who face serious challenges in their lives such as mental and/or physical challenges or the environment in which they live. Chris McAlister, Chris McAlister Foundation The Chris McAlister Foundation exists to improve the lives of youth and families in Baltimore, Maryland and McAlister's hometown of Pasadena, California, through programs focusing on basic physiological, safety, belonging and esteem needs. The foundation hosts several events each year, including a Halloween Party for 210 Baltimore youth, a Thanksgiving dinner distribution to 210 families and holiday donations across the area. Charities include the Baltimore City Police Athletic League, Aunt Hattie's Place, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland and the Echo House Multi-Service Cultural Center. For more information, visit: www.chrismcalister21.com/foundation.html. Steve McNair, Steve McNair Foundation The Steve McNair Foundation is dedicated to serving underprivileged children through programs that focus on inspiring and empowering today's youth to better utilize the educational and civic opportunities available to them. The Steve McNair Foundation also provides financial support to non-profit agencies that promote self-esteem, self-confidence and self-worth among children, as well as many other charitable organizations. For more information, visit www.OfficialSteveMcNair.com. Jonathan Ogden, Jonathan Ogden Foundation Ogden helps students in inner-city schools achieve their full potential through athletics and education. Ogden established the Ogden Club to get high school students involved in community service. The Ogden Club also hires tutors to work with Baltimore City high school athletes; athletes, in turn, tutor elementary school students. For more information, visit www.JonathanOgdenFoundation.org. Ed Reed, Eye of the Hurricane Foundation Ed Reed established the Eye of the Hurricane Foundation to give back to his community. In addition to holding football camps at Destrehan (LA) High School and assisting youth in his hometown, Ed adopted Booker T. Washington Middle School in Baltimore. He visits the school regularly and provides tickets to students for Ravens home games. Samari Rolle, Rolle With Me Foundation The Rolle With Me Foundation, veteran cornerback Samari Rolle's charitable arm, provides helping hands to those in need. With funds raised through several annual events, the non-profit organization purchases Thanksgiving dinners for families in need, provides equipment for youth athletic leagues and donates book bags and school supplies to underprivileged children. Bart Scott, A Son Never Forgets Foundation The mission of the organization is to assist individuals (and their families) who are suffering with significant medical conditions, specifically paraplegia. Scott is additionally involved in the community, adopting Belmont Elementary in Baltimore, running programs to assist homeless men on the road to recovery and reentry into society, and hosting a holiday party for youth in Baltimore. For more information, visit www.madbacker.net. Matt Stover, Matt Stover Foundation The mission of The Matt Stover Foundation is to provide financial support to qualified organizations for charitable, religious, scientific and educational purposes. For more information, visit www.MattStoverFoundation.org. Daniel Wilcox, Empowerment M.I.N.D.S. Foundation The mission of the Empowerment M.I.N.D.S. Foundation (Motivating and Inspiring Neighborhoods Determined to Succeed) is to open up the horizons of disadvantaged youth in the inner city. The foundation partners with schools and community based organizations to set up programs to increase youth access to reading materials, technology, and cultural opportunities. Brian Billick, Living Classrooms Foundation The Living Classrooms Foundation provides hands-on education and job training, focusing on at-risk youth and groups from diverse backgrounds. The Foundation provides educational programs, emphasizing math, science, language arts, history, economics and ecology. As you can see, there is a lot of "GOOD" going on with this and every other team. We only hear about the bad, mostly, with barely a few seconds given to the work these hard working people do and that is on our local news stations. Well done and a big THANK YOU to all the players, front office personnel, Owners and their staff for their dedication to the Communities.