Ben will be presented with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America “National Champion of Youth Award” during their 36th annual Golf Classic at Sewickley Heights Golf Club on Monday, June 10th.
From Larissa Dudkiewicz, editor at Sewickley Patch:
Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is often recognized for the work he does on the field.
But the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania has plans to recognize Roethlisberger next week for the work he does off the field.
The organization and its 7,000 members are pleased to present Roethlisberger with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America “National Champion of Youth Award” for his commitment to youth and all the work he has done for them.
For the past four years, the organization said hundreds of inner-city children had a dream come true when they found themselves on a football field with “Big Ben.”
Roethlisberger financed the cost of mini-camp experiences and took time to make each child feel special.
”For many of the children in attendance from the Boys & Girls Club, this became their only summer vacation, and Ben provided them with memories that will last a lifetime” said Mike Hepler, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania.
Hepler said the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA wants to focus on the impact Roethlisberger has had on young people in the community.
From the onset of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he said Roethlisberger and his teammates have provided generous support for the Boys & Girls Club Dapper Dan Flag Football Program and NFL Play 60 Program that reaches more than 1,000 young people annually. The goals of these programs are to promote fitness, healthy lifestyles and good sportsmanship.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania is not alone when it comes to recognizing Roethlisberger.
Make-A-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics, Alliance Against Highly Addictive Drugs, American Library Association and numerous other human service charities also have been touched by his work.
Through his love of animals and respect for the challenges the law enforcement community faces, Roethlisberger also works to provide resources through his foundation to purchase K-9 units for police and fire departments throughout the country.
You can read more here.
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