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2008 Free Football & Life Skills Camp Summary

Friday July 11th through Sunday July 13th
Harris Stowe State University, Emerson Performance Center

The 2008 FREE FOOTBALL & LIFE SKILLS CAMP - St. Louis was truly a spectacle! Over 30 celebrity athletes and entertainers welcomed more than 150 8th through 10th graders from the St. Louis Area to this year’s McDonald's Free Football and Life Skills Camp (FFLSC). Celebrities participants included: Mike Furry-WR Lions, Quinn Gray-QB Jaquars, Jimmy Kennedy- DL Jaquars, Floyd Little-Broncos/Retired, Roy Manning-LB Bills, Pierre Thomas-RB Saints, Kurt Warner-QB Cardinals, Robert Hicks-NFL/Retired, Bobby Simmons-NBA Bucks, Royal Ivey-NBA Bucks, Barrett Brooks-NFL/Retired, Neil Tejwani-The Biggest Loser, Flozell Adams-OL Cowboys, Claudia Jordan, Justice Smith-American Gladiators, Tanji Johnson-American Gladiators, Laurent Robinson-NFL Atlants, and Greg Cosell-NFL, and Ray Lewis-Baltimore Ravens.

FFLSC participants were required to complete Life Skills homework assignments and participate in classroom discussion groups lead by facilitators. Life Skills topics include:

  • Computer/Internet Competency
  • Health and Nutrition
  • Goal Achievement
  • Financial Literacy

 FFLSC Graduation was an exciting celebration for all. The FFLSC participants truly felt the love and support from over 100 parents and other on-lookers in the stands, celebrity athletes and facilitators. All campers received 4 tee shirts, a pair of NIKE cross trainers, official Nike NFL football gloves, and much more! Campers had an added bonus on Sunday morning. They were given the option to be a part of a praise service from Demetrius Johnson's Church Choir.

A select group of campers received awards for their outstanding participation. 14 campers were selected by their facilitators to receive Spirit Awards.

Spirit Award Winners

 

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Corporate Partner Rick Goldberg, St. Louis Orthodontic Group, chose one special camper for the JG Memorial Award. Roland Williams, Super Bowl Champion and Founder of Youth Lifeline America choose two exemplary participants for the Hattie B. Beckley Memorial Most Valuable Effort Award. In addition to the items mentioned above, these two chosen individuals also received an autographed football signed by the entire St. Louis Rams team.  AND, as an added bonus, they received Roland's direct cell phone number to personally call him.

Hattie B. Beckley Memorial Most Valuable Effort Award Winners:

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Donor Highlights

AMERICAN AIRLINES, official airline of the Youth Lifeline America provided airfare for celebrities and staff, NIKE provided cross trainers and gloves for participants, Lumiere Place Casino and Hotel hosted the Hospitality Suite- the first 10 donors received a $200 gift certificate for a facial from PURE Med Spa, AQUAFINA and THE NAJARO GROUP provided water and other beverages for participants and guests, MC DONALD’S and PANERA BREAD CO. provided healthy meals and snacks for participants, PROFESSIONAL PRINT SERVICES and THE GRAPHICS COMPANY provided all design and print work for the FFLSC! Other corporate and media partners included: Enterprise Rent-A-Car, HBD, Colliers Turley Martin Tucker, St. Louis Orthodontic Group, St. Louis Rams, Amini's, Bentley St. Louis, BWTP, St. Louis American, St. Louis Sports Magazine, RFT, St. Louis Magazine, St. Louis Business Journal, Who’s Who in Black St, Louis and FSN Midwest. Please visit Our Donors for a complete list of donors.

Youth Lifeline America needs YOUR SUPPORT to have another amazing camp in 2009!