News & Events

• Community Outreach
  • 2007 Outreach Activities
    • Charles Hart Middle School
    • Children's National Medical Center
    • Frederick Douglass High School
    • HoopsForAfrica
    • Operation Helping Hands
    • St. Ann's
    • Whitehall Elementary School
  • Community Partners
• Press Releases
• Newsletters
• Tradeshows

2007 Outreach Activities - Frederick Douglass High School, HoopsForAfrica, Operation Helping Hands

Frederick Douglass High School

Community Outreach Program Donates $10,000 to Frederick Douglass High School's Football Program for Second Consecutive Year

May 15, 2007 - The Community Outreach Program visited Upper Marlboro, MD on Tuesday to meet with Frederick Douglass High School's Head Football Coach Julius Pinkney and Shawne Merriman's personal assistant Lajuan French. Shawne Merriman, an Outside Linebacker for the NFL's San Diego Chargers, played football for and graduated from Frederick Douglass High School. The Community Outreach Program presented a check for $10,000 to the football program matching their contribution from last year.

(left to right) Posing with Shawne Merriman's framed high school football jersey are Lajuan French (Shawne Merriman's personal assistant), Julius Pinkney (Head Football Coach at FDHS), and Kenji Darby (Director of Communications-Outreach)

HoopsForAfrica

Community Outreach Program Extends Globally

April 16, 2007 - The Community Outreach Program donated $6,000 to HoopsForAfrica to help contribute to the effort of HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa. HoopsForAfrica, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation based in Washington, DC, is committed to educating Africa's youth on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the value of good nutrition. HIV/AIDS has devastated virtually every part of the African continent and is the worst public health threat that the world has ever known. With the help from professional athletes and their partnership with USAID (United States Agency for International Development), HoopsForAfrica strives to reach out to at least 2 million people in Africa, specifically targeting their youth.

(left to right) Matt Collins (Corporate Chief Marketing Officer), Stephan Bekale (Founder, President, and Chairman of HoopsForAfrica), and William R. Teel, Jr. (CEO)

Operation Helping Hands

May 31-June 4, 2007 - Hurricane Katrina is known as the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States. In the devastating aftermath of Katrina, volunteer groups, such as "Operation Helping Hands", have dedicated themselves to assisting the community in reoccupying their homes. This past week the Community Outreach Program joined forces with members of this volunteer group helping to restore homes and damaged neighborhoods. Together, volunteers removed household goods such as appliances and furniture, and tore down damaged walls, ceilings, floors, cabinets and wiring. In addition to the hands on volunteer work, the Community Outreach Program donated a $5,000 Lowe's gift card to assist Catholic Charities of New Orleans in buying supplies.