Sandwiched between downtown New Orleans and the city’s quaint Garden District sits a garden whose crops seem more suited for an Italian marketplace than an urban American schoolyard. But Samuel Green Charter School is not only a place for children to learn; it encourages students to harvest healthy snacks from their own gardens. Now, thanks to the Arena Football League Players Association and The Brees Dream Foundation, the school has yet another place to grow its produce and a pleasant spot to savor it.
Last Thursday, the AFLPA Executive Committee and staff, school officials, coaches and 40 community volunteers came together and dug knee-deep in the dirt to build a greenhouse and picnic area for the schoolyard.
“It is truly a privilege to come out and see the progress being made here,” said AFLPA Executive Committee member Ernest Allen, who was in town for the AFLPA Board of Player Representatives meeting and the ArenaBowl. “You really see the bigger picture out here in New Orleans. To help improve a community and assist them in bouncing back after the [Hurricane Katrina] devastation that happened three years ago is amazing.”
Better known as “The Edible School Yard,” Samuel J. Green teaches students about gardening and creating healthy lifestyles. At this culinary think-tank, kids from kindergarten to eighth grade learn about science and nutrition through the food they grow, harvest and eat. The school integrates organic gardening and fresh seasonal cooking into its curriculum, culture and food programs. Visitors to the garden will see rows upon rows of eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs.
“This is a replication of a flagship program in Berkeley,” said Donna Davato, a member of the school’s faculty. “This one is meaningful because it integrates organic and seasonal cooking into the curriculum of the school, but also has cultural ties. And that makes us a strong community.”
Davato said the volunteer effort by the AFLPA and The Brees Dream Foundation (which supports the school on an ongoing basis and introduced the AFLPA to the school), in addition to financial contributions made by both organizations, will allow the school to expand its program. “We’re so grateful for the contributions,” Davato said, “which enable us to continue to create a positive and beautiful environment for our students.”
Even a brief mid-afternoon rain didn’t even dampen the spirits of the volunteers and children who came out to make the greenhouse and picnic area dream come true. During the building, a festive and celebratory BBQ lunch was served for all participants. The lunch included food donated by Whole Foods Market and fresh salads made by the Samuel J. Green kids with vegetables picked from their own garden. The food was a hit, to organic and non-organic fans alike.
“The food is the best!” exclaimed Allen. “These sweet people and their community really deserve our best.”
Showing posts with label Celebrity giving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celebrity giving. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Moss Brothers Serve as Role Models to Youth
The Moss brothers--wide receivers Santana and Sinorice--have a motto that it’s the humble man who always comes out on top. Now, the Miami natives are working together to stay humble and keep kids on top through their newly formed foundation.
“I got my inspiration to make a difference at a young age,” said Santana Moss. “I always said that I wanted to give back to the kids once I got older. As a role model to them, I want to show them that we all came from the same neighborhoods, and if I can make it, they can make it.”
Washington Redskins Santana Moss established his Santana Moss Foundation in 2002 to help build a stronger America, beginning with its children. He said he’s always thought of himself as a role model, first to his two younger brothers and then to the young beneficiaries of his foundation. Now he’s teaming up with one of his brothers—New York Giants Sinorice Moss—and the foundation has become the Moss Brothers Foundation, focused on improving the lives of children in Miami.
One of the events held to benefit the foundation is the Moss Brothers Celebrity Weekend, an annual fundraiser in Miami that attracts some of the NFL’s biggest stars. The proceeds from this year’s event benefited the Moss Brothers Foundation and the foundation of the late Sean Taylor, former teammate and close friend of Santana’s. The weekend’s activities included the Moss Brothers Kids Day at the Movies, a community fair and a celebrity softball game.
“For the last few years we have been throwing a movie party for a couple of elementary schools in the Miami area,” Santana said. “My brother and I talk to the kids after the movie is over and give them the Santana Moss coloring book. The book has word puzzles and things they can do that deal with life situations. I have guys like Andre Johnson, Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee come out and be a part of the game.”
In addition to the Celebrity Weekend, the foundation holds the annual Santana Moss Football Camp, which provides campers with basic football skills in a constructive environment. The camp is focused on creating well-rounded student-athletes.
“My whole goal is not to touch every kid, because that is impossible,” Santana Moss said. “Hopefully there are one or two kids who remember what we did for them, and 10 years from now, they will also give back. If I touch every kid, then that is 10 times what I expected.”
For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.tanaman89.com/home/foundation.
“I got my inspiration to make a difference at a young age,” said Santana Moss. “I always said that I wanted to give back to the kids once I got older. As a role model to them, I want to show them that we all came from the same neighborhoods, and if I can make it, they can make it.”
Washington Redskins Santana Moss established his Santana Moss Foundation in 2002 to help build a stronger America, beginning with its children. He said he’s always thought of himself as a role model, first to his two younger brothers and then to the young beneficiaries of his foundation. Now he’s teaming up with one of his brothers—New York Giants Sinorice Moss—and the foundation has become the Moss Brothers Foundation, focused on improving the lives of children in Miami.
One of the events held to benefit the foundation is the Moss Brothers Celebrity Weekend, an annual fundraiser in Miami that attracts some of the NFL’s biggest stars. The proceeds from this year’s event benefited the Moss Brothers Foundation and the foundation of the late Sean Taylor, former teammate and close friend of Santana’s. The weekend’s activities included the Moss Brothers Kids Day at the Movies, a community fair and a celebrity softball game.
“For the last few years we have been throwing a movie party for a couple of elementary schools in the Miami area,” Santana said. “My brother and I talk to the kids after the movie is over and give them the Santana Moss coloring book. The book has word puzzles and things they can do that deal with life situations. I have guys like Andre Johnson, Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee come out and be a part of the game.”
In addition to the Celebrity Weekend, the foundation holds the annual Santana Moss Football Camp, which provides campers with basic football skills in a constructive environment. The camp is focused on creating well-rounded student-athletes.
“My whole goal is not to touch every kid, because that is impossible,” Santana Moss said. “Hopefully there are one or two kids who remember what we did for them, and 10 years from now, they will also give back. If I touch every kid, then that is 10 times what I expected.”
For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.tanaman89.com/home/foundation.
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