May 20, 2022 

NFL HALL OF FAMER BRIAN DAWKINS BRINGS SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITIES TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES

Inaugural Celebrity Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation

WEST CHESTER, PA – It was a reunion of football greats at the Penn Oaks Golf Club last week as 30 sport and entertainment stars including Donovan McNabb, Brandon Graham, Eddie George, Brian Westbrook, Ike Reese, Takeo Spikes, Jeremiah Trotter, and Ron Jaworski led a field of 75 golfers for the first ever Brian Dawkins Driving Impact Celebrity Golf Tournament presented by the McDade Team at CrossCountry Mortgage.

More than $90,000 was raised over two days of laughter, inspiration and competition featuring putting contests, golf on a championship course, a VIP soiree and auctions. Funds that will help the Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation (BDIF) expand its work to bring transformational moments and resources to young people through its programs that support youth mental wellness and single parent families.

“It’s not about me. It’s about those young people right now that feel that life has left them. That nobody cares about them. That’s who we’re going to bless,” said BDIF founder and president Brian Dawkins. “Funds raised from the events will allow us to increase our efforts to support young people’s health and cerebral wellness, expand our program to help single parent families access enrichment opportunities and to help end cycles of poverty in marginalized communities.”

The evening before the competition, NBC10 Philadelphia’s Johnny Archer hosted a lively VIP Soiree where representatives from benefiting organizations of the Impact Foundation’s programs in Philadelphia spoke on the postive impact on their students and organizations. This included Assistant Principal Antonios Pitsakis from George Washington High School and Branon Gilmore, Senior Director of Programs & Service Delivery at Caring People Alliance.

Brian with beneficiaries at VIP Soiree

“It’s heart that actually brought the Brian Dawkins Values Program to my school…There’s not a lot of help with mental health at school districts. Then the pandemic hit and a lot of students went through depression, OCD and anxiety stemming from being locked away,” stated Principal Pitsakis. “I want you all to know that even though it says Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation, all of you, just by being here tonight, have that impact on students like mine and on educators like me – from Philadelphia all the way down to Jacksonville.”

Gilmore stated, “Caring People Alliance has  leveraged over 90 years history, scale and scope to close gaps for families that need us the most, and that gap is widening, especially since the pandemic…By partnering with the Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation, we can focus together on solutions that have the greatest impact on our youth and families. This particular program hits me the most because I am a product of a single parent family. I wish there were more opportunities like this for my mom when I was growing up.”

Participating tournament celebrities included: Jason Avant, Barrett Brooks, Tim Brown, Harold Carmichael, Brent Celek, Trent Cole, Brian Dawkins, Hugh Douglas, Eddie George, Brandon Graham, Derrick Gunn, Ron Jaworski, Seth Joyner, Jevon Kearse, Chad Lewis, Donovan McNabb, Quintin Mikell, Mike Quick, Ike Reese, Merrill Reese, Jon Runyan, Patrick Sapp, Corey Simon, Takeo Spikes, Willie Thomas, Tra Thomas, Jeremiah Trotter, Darwin Walker, Brian Westbrook and Erik Williams.

Celebrity Golfers at VIP Soiree
Golfers on course with Brian

Following a beautiful day on the course, 97.5 The Fantatic’s Mike Missanelli hosted the Awards Ceremony with prizes were given out by GWHS students and Brian Dawkins Values Program participants Karissa and Joel. First place went to Hall of Fame Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter’s team which included locals Jason Griggs, Will Howard, Matt Lenza and Ron Lockhart. 

Brian Dawkins with GWHS students on course

To donate to the Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation, click here.

Event media partners were Radio Partner, 97.5 The Fanatic Philadelphia and Television Partner, NBC Sports Philadelphia & NBC10.

Photo Credits: Carlo Acerra, Fire Rock Productions

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About The Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation

Launched in 2019, the Brian Dawkins Impact Foundation (BDIF) was created with the mission to provide inspiration, education and resources to youth, families and communities in need. Leveraging the values and knowledge Dawkins gained over his lifetime–as a person and an NFL Hall of Fame player–the Foundation seeks to help disadvantaged young people while also promoting spiritual, cerebral and physical wellness. Grounded with a belief in community, education, family and wellness, its holistic programs align with the values of: Communication and Self-Awareness, Drive and Passion, Discipline, Education and Accountability. BDIF beneficiaries have experienced hardship and possess unrealized potential, but have the desire to make positive decisions in life and just need hope and support to make it happen. briandawkins.com/impact-foundation