On Tuesday, Jennings will arrive in Washington, DC to join other NFL players for a three day United Way Youth Empowerment Summit hosted at American University. The three-day event engages participants in identifying opportunities to improve the academic success of American students and create engagement opportunities for TEAM NFL members and their supporters to recruit readers, tutors and mentors. The Summit will conclude with a day of service and a visit to Capitol Hill to speak with representatives about a stronger community engagement, led by high profile individuals like Jennings, Carolina Panthers quarterback and 2011 NFL Rookie of the Year, Cam Newton; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs and New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty.
While in Washington, Jennings will also meet with two Green Bay area teenagers involved in the project, Priyanka Navani from Preble High School and Evan Ash from East Green Bay High School.
Following the trip to Washington, Jennings will go to New York to participate in the “Turn Two Foundation Gala,” at the Sheraton Towers Hotel. The “Turn Two Foundation” is Yankee star Derek Jeter’s organization dedicated to assisting youth. Jennings and Jeter both hail from Kalamazoo.
“It is a privilege to be in a position where I can help raise funds and awareness for those less fortunate than myself,” Jennings said. “This week, being able to work with people of great community influence in Washington with the United Way and then coming to New York to help Derek and his cause, is as important a week for me and my family as any other on the calendar, and I am excited to be involved in serving and assisting in any way I can.”
The week of travel will cap off a rigorous stretch for Jennings, which included extensive off-season football work in Green Bay and community work with several other athletes around the country, including his own golf outing in Kalamazoo.
TEAM NFL is a volunteer group of college-educated, civic-minded NFL players from teams across the league. The team members are committed to education opportunities and recruiting one million readers, tutors and mentors. As representatives of TEAM NFL, each player has a goal to recruit 3,000 volunteer pledges (99,000 total), accounting for almost 10 percent of the United Way recruitment goal. To learn more about TEAM NFL visit: www.unitedway.org/
“United Way TEAM NFL volunteers play an important role in raising awareness and providing inspiration to youth around America. TEAM NFL recruitment efforts will advance the United Way call to activate one million readers, tutors and mentors and improve the academic success of our nation’s youth,” said NFL Partnership Director Tracey Holmes.
In 2011, 258 United Ways representing all fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico participated in Day of Action volunteer activities. Day of Action took place at 1,235 project sites which benefited nearly 250,000 Americans.
About The Greg Jennings Foundation
The Greg Jennings Foundation strives to partner with and assist other organizations in educating youth by providing the necessary resources in order for them to reach their academic potential. For more information visit http://www.gj85foundation.com/
About United Way
United Way is a worldwide network in 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, income and health. United Way recruits people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become a part of the change. For more information about United Way, please visit: www.UnitedWay.org.
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