2013 CWAM Service Challenge

2013 Turkey Bowl Flag Football Event

• SEVERAL NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS Team Up to Share Messages on the Importance of ‘An Attitude of Gratitude’

• The day after Thanksgiving, several players on the New York Football Giants shared their time, talents and inspirational messages on the importance of “an attitude of gratitude” with 64 third through sixth grade boys from the Bergen county suburbs and inner city of Paterson. The athletes also served as coaches for the flag football teams, provided some basic football instruction and their philosophy of the importance of faith, family, fitness, football and fun.

• The event was sponsored by Athletes in Action (New York/New Jersey Chapter) and four local churches: Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Ridgewood, Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church of Paterson, Pascack Bible Church of Westwood, and Fardale Trinity Church of Mahwah.

• Players Participating: Andre Brown, Brandon Mosley, Steve Goodin, Julian Talley

Who did you serve, and what did you accomplish that day?

• We served more than 60 boys (in grades three through six) and their families by providing them with an opportunity to interact with several New York Football Giant players and hear important messages about having an attitude of gratitude and developing character in our Turkey Bowl flag football event.

• The event catered to a nice mix of boys from a local New Jersey suburban and inner city area and gave them a chance to play indoor football in a beautiful facility.

• The NFL Youth marketing department donated Play 60 t-shirts, cinch sacks, pens and sweatbands as giveaways for the boys.

• New York Giant team pictures were also provided for autographs.• Most importantly, we created an Attitude of Gratitude certificate presented to each child with

bullet point reminders how they can apply the principle in the everyday lives with several “I Will” statements. See sample later in document.

• Additionally, as a Christian nonprofit we also fulfilled our mission and presented the gospel at the end of the event and gave each child an opportunity to place their faith in Christ as their Lord and Savior. Tracts with NFL player Aaron Rogers Christian faith story were also included in the give away bags.

• A team of volunteers from four churches and the community helped us pull off the event.• Parents stayed and watched their children play and learn from the NY Giants, and listened in on

the messages as well

What is your team's plan for an ongoing relationship with the

nonprofit?

• We hope to host this event annually for years to come and continue relationships with the partner churches that brought the children to play. Each child was encouraged to bring an unchurched friend.

What would your nonprofit do if they won part of the prize money?

• To rent the facility for this indoor event costs $1,500. We would plan on using it toward that expense for future years. And we hope to include 7th and 8th grade boys as well, which would mean renting one more indoor field—the facility has four. We’d also like to purchase a portable sound system ($200). Additionally, we could also invest in event T shirts for the boys as well.

Andre Brown of the New York Giants delivers message on overcoming adversity to the boys.

Brandon Mosley delivers message on developing character to the flag footballers.

Rob Skead and George McGovern, the two small guys, of Athletes in Action, with two big linemen.