Dawkins Brings Message of Hope and Awareness for Children in Foster Care

Brian Dawkins will never forget the Jacksonville, Fla., neighborhood where he was raised. What drives him, though, is how far he’s come from there.

When Dawkins threw a Christmas party Tuesday for 75 foster children from Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties, he shared with them a message of hope and empowerment.

“Don’t let where you are affect your future,” Dawkins told the kids from the Arapahoe-Jefferson Counties Collaborative Program for Foster Care and Adoption. “It’s about where you’re going to finish.”

With the help of Mile High United Way and ProLink Sports, Dawkins brought this group of children together to share some of his blessings this holiday season. The Denver Broncos’ all-pro safety welcomed them to the place where he does his work, the Broncos’ training facility, and gave them a meal, gifts, a photo with Santa Claus and him, and a personal message.

“This is something I truly live by,” Dawkins said. “I never let someone’s opinion of me define me. They don’t control the pencil in my hand. There have been some bad circumstances in my life. When I was younger I lost two of my best friends to violence. But other people don’t have the last say-so. You have the last say-so. Always remember that.”

Feeling the passion behind the words Dawkins spoke was truly inspirational. He held the kids’ attention with his personal testimony.

“Surround yourself with the right people,” Dawkins continued. “Believe me when I say you are cared about. You always hear about how there are stars up there and you have to reach for them. Put your own star up there and reach for that. Don’t reach for the stars that are already up there. You put a star up there and say, ‘I want to be such-and-such.’ That’s your star, and then you reach for that. On a daily basis, you reach for THAT star. Decide along the way on the decisions that you have to make in order for that star to be reached, that goal to be achieved.”

Through his program, Dawkins generously blessed children in need with Christmas presents they would not have otherwise received. From Lego sets and books, to dolls, clothing and remote-control cars, the gifts brought smiles to their faces as they opened them before the party concluded. But they also left with a message of hope on their hearts, and a game plan for how to fulfill that hope.

“When you leave here,” Dawkins concluded, “make sure you have your star that you reach for. Don’t let anybody define you, and it’s not where you start, it’s where you end.”

Brian Dawkins and ProLink Sports would like to thank Mile High United Way for coordinating with Arapahoe County to arrange for this group of children to receive these blessings. The efforts of Mark Taylor, Director of Donor Relations for Mile High United Way, and Kippi Clausen, Director of Policy and Population Based Strategies, were instrumental in making this possible.

The Arapahoe-Jefferson Counties Collaborative Program for Foster Care and Adoption recruits, trains and supports foster and kinship families throughout the metro-Denver area to provide temporary care for children who cannot safely remain in their homes. They are always seeking individuals and couples in the community who can care for foster children until they can return home, be adopted or live independently.

There are presently more than 900 children in the foster care program in Arapahoe and Jefferson counties. To learn more about how you can help these children, visit http://www.collaborativefostercare.com/

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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Decker and Thomas Bring Holiday Cheer to Kids

The holiday spirit was alive and well on Monday night, Dec. 6, as Denver Broncos players Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas helped 25 members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver enjoy the gift of giving. The rookie wide receivers gave their time and personal attention to the kids to help them purchase Christmas gifts for members of their family at SuperTarget in Lone Tree, Colo.

The children were selected by the Boys & Girls Clubs for their outstanding participation in their after-school program. They had prepared detailed shopping lists of items to purchase, and were allowed a generous budget to find gifts to bring cheer to as many family members as possible this holiday season.

Lists in hand and smiles on their faces, the kids lined up their carts and set out with Decker, Thomas, volunteers and store associates to find just the right gifts for the special people in their lives.

Decker and two young shoppers made their first stop in the toy department, looking over the array of Nerf guns and Lego sets, very popular for the boys on their lists. He helped the boys sort out which items fit together before it was time to move onto taking care of other family members.

Thomas and his troops covered a lot of ground throughout the store and assessed the scene before their carts began to fill up. First up was a plush, pink bathrobe and centerpiece with candles for mom, followed by a collection of Hot Wheels cars for a nephew.

“I’m happy that I can actually buy my family presents,” remarked one young shopper. “My Mom is going to be happy and my brother, he usually doesn’t get anything for Christmas from me. It’s just heartwarming…there’s no way to explain it.”

Offensive lineman Zane Beadles joined his fellow rookie teammates on this night and shared his wisdom on everything from clothing to toys for the kids.

As the children reached their budget limit and made sure they had covered everyone on their list, they moved to the gift-wrapping stage. Decker, Thomas and Beadles also proved to be quite capable in that arena. They stayed until the last packages were wrapped and then bid farewell to their new friends and fellow shoppers.

Each was extremely generous with his time and helped make a special night even more meaningful for the children, who spoke of their appreciation.

“It’s really nice of them,” said one child. “They’re helping you and walking you all around the store, helping you find things for your family, just having fun.”

Several others spoke of the joy it gave them to be able to have gifts for the other members of their families, who often might not receive a gift at all. These are lasting impressions that will make an impact not only on the children, but on their new football-playing friends as well.

The evening was made possible by a generous grant from Doug Morton and Marilyn Brown.

Special thanks to Sandi Loveland and the team at the SuperTarget store in Lone Tree, Colo., store for being such a terrific partner in this program.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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Denver Broncos Rookie WRs Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas To Bring Cheer to Kids

MEDIA ADVISORY: Friday, Dec. 3, 2010

CONTACT: ProLink Sports
Paul Kirk, 303-929-4686 / pkirk@prolinksports.net
Judianne Atencio, 303-886-3950 / jatencio@prolinksports.net

DENVER BRONCOS WRs ERIC DECKER AND DEMARYIUS THOMAS LEND A HAND TO CHILDREN WITH HOLIDAY SHOPPING TRIP

Rookie wide receivers will be joined by teammates Monday, Dec. 6 to shop with children from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

WHO:
Denver Broncos wide receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas reach out to help children in their community by hosting a holiday shopping trip. They will be joined by a number of their teammates for this festive evening to bring cheer to children in need this holiday season.

WHAT:
Twenty-five children, ranging in age from 8 to 14, are being rewarded for their outstanding participation in their after-school program with a trip to buy holiday presents. They have been encouraged to write up their “Holiday Wish Lists” in preparation for this exciting evening. Each child will be given a budget to shop for gifts for other members of his or her family.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is to inspire and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

WHEN:
Monday, December 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

WHERE:
SuperTarget – 10001 Commons Street, Lone Tree, CO, 80124 (Yosemite & Lincoln, just west of I-25 & Lincoln).

**GREAT VISUALS; MEDIA WELCOME TO ATTEND**

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Brian Dawkins Continues Tradition of Giving

For the second year in a row, Denver Broncos All Pro safety Brian Dawkins teamed up with King Soopers and Meadow Gold Dairies to provide complete Thanksgiving dinners to families throughout Colorado served by The Salvation Army.

The meals were distributed through The Salvation Army to families in need in Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Grand Junction.

Dawkins understands the great need that exists for families to receive assistance in these tough economic times, and embraces his role as a leader who can improve the lives of people in his community. He reached out to partners King Soopers and Meadow Gold Dairies to ensure families the opportunity to gather in their own homes to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

“The Lord has blessed me and I know how important it is to give a hand up to our neighbors who may need it during these tough times,” said Dawkins. “I am grateful that the folks at King Soopers and Meadow Gold Dairies joined me in providing these meals, once again.”

“King Soopers is pleased to once again partner with Brian Dawkins, Meadow Gold and The Salvation Army to provide a Thanksgiving dinner to Colorado families in need,” said Kelli McGannon, King Soopers Marketing and Community Relations Director.

“We salute Brian’s leadership and we are proud to partner with him to support The Salvation Army’s great work in our communities,” said Scott Barnard, General Sales Manager, Meadow Gold Dairies.

“Thanksgiving is a time for family. We really appreciate this partnership in helping us to help others,” said Major Victor Doughty, Intermountain Divisional Commander. “This statewide initiative with our Corps will aid hundreds of families that have come to us for help this holiday season.”

We salute our client Brian and thank King Soopers, Meadow Gold and The Salvation Army for teaming up to make this possible for the second year in a row.

MEDIA: Denver Broncos Official Website coverage.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports

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