Thanks Pat Tillman

“In the evening of April 22nd, 2004, Pat’s unit was ambushed as it traveled through the rugged, canyon terrain of Eastern Afghanistan. His heroic efforts to provide cover for his fellow soldiers as they escaped from the canyon led to his tragic death via fratricide [friendly fire]. “

In the 1998 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected Tillman in the seventh round. Even though many people questioned his ability to make the opening-day roster, he soon became the team’s starting safety and broke the franchise record for tackles in 2000 with 224. Already a hometown favorite, Pat’s rugged play earned him accolades across the country.

Meanwhile, Pat refused to allow the fame and fortune of being a professional football player affect him. He drove the same old truck he had in college (without air conditioning) and refused to be tethered by a cell-phone. Pat also found new ways to challenge himself off the field. Physically, he competed in a marathon prior to the 2000 season and a half Ironman triathlon the following summer. Mentally, he pursued a master’s degree in history from his alma mater and read voraciously in an attempt to better understand many different topics, including the roots of current political and social systems, the conflicts among them, all the while developing, debating, and discussing his ideas with his eager listeners, family and friends. Pat made ‘your passion his passion’ and listened intently as his friends, family, and strangers shared their thoughts and opinions.

During his years as a Cardinal, Pat volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Arizona, Boys Hope Girls Hope and March of Dimes, and went to elementary, middle and high schools around the Phoenix valley to read to kids and give talks.

The contents of this article came from the Pat Tillman Foundation, be sure to check it out.

April 22, 2009May 14, 2009 by Molly Categories: giving backTags: Pat Tillman, you tube 2 Comments

Hello Brad

Nice line: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. 

Just what the Orioles needed— a win. Welcome to the bigs, Berg (Brad Bergesen).

April 22, 2009April 22, 2009 by Molly Categories: baseball, oriolesTags: Baltimore Orioles, Brad Bergesen 2 Comments

What Charity Doesn’t Want More Money?

Of course we want more money, what charity doesn’t, says an acerbic Andrew Primrose. Primrose is the Director of Special Events of the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation and is responding to the Fox 45 report which spawned a media maelstrom.   

In a part of this report, Fox is challenged to find an ‘unhappy customer’ in Ed Block’s network of Courage Houses.  Fox asserts Indianapolis is one of them while also bringing up Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo.

Ron Carpenter the President and CEO of Children’s Bureau, Inc., the affiliate in Indianapolis appears in the story saying, “Our desire would be to see more coming out of the Foundation…When we first got in in 2001 I believe we got a $10,000 check and it’s been intermittent since that point in time.”         

Primrose and Paul Mittermeier (Director of Communications) agree the editing job on this clip only helps sensationalize Fox’s story. “First of all, I’d love to get you the raw cut which says we [Indianapolis] are completely happy with Ed Block,” Primrose says, adding “but, of course, we want more money from them.  To me that is the most asinine statement I’ve ever heard– a charity that wants more money? That’s not a criminal thing, that’s good business!” 

So was Carpenter was misrepresented?  At the time I interviewed Carpenter, he said he had not seen the report. However, he maintains “the expectations were clear and [the Foundation] never misrepresented themselves.”       

He continues: “I don’t expect to get checks annually, no one has ever made that promise. When they have come across [extra money]… they have passed it along to us. But it’s not regular, and we were never told any differently.”

Carpenter said he was a “little surprised” with the negative attention the foundation has received while also noting a positive consequence already.  

He claims the Courage Houses have been advocating to get one of their own representatives on the Board— even if it is in a non-voting capacity.  For one reason or another, this was never able to come to fruition.  Now it is supposed to be put in place to help “honor that relationship.” 

As far as the relationship goes, Carpenter said initially the foundation was “very upset with us but we only spoke the truth.”  He said transparency within the organization is vital.  According to Carpenter, they [the Courage House reps.] have warned previously: “be cautious when you are at the dinner and pay attention to the wording…” going back to the sponsorship letters addressed in this interview.

Carpenter’s primary concern through all of this attention is “not to lose this opportunity. The benefits of helping those kids is priceless.”

From the website: The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation promotes the prevention of child abuse by raising awareness of the epidemic and assisting agencies who provide for the care and treatment of abused children in communities throughout the National Football League (NFL). That objective is coupled with the Foundation’s commitment to celebrating players of inspiration in the NFL.

April 22, 2009April 22, 2009 by Molly Categories: giving back 8 Comments