Atlanta Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking was recognized on Tuesday by The Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP Program as one of 17 NFL players who have made a positive impact in their respective communities.
The 17 players all receive a built-from-scratch playground in their honor, and Brooking’s event took place in Riverdale at the Lewis Academy School of Excellence, Clayton County’s first charter school.
Brooking and Falcons teammate Coy Wire teamed up with The Home Depot employees and representatives of KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit organization whose vision is for there to be a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America, to construct the playground. In all, more than 200 volunteers braved high winds and 30-degree weather to building something out of nothing in lightning-quick—but also highly-efficient—fashion. “The energy out here is incredible,” Brooking remarked. “People are really getting into it.”
What began with barren land at 8:30 in the morning ended at 2:30 p.m. with a whole new playground for the Lewis Academy students, complete with slides, swings and monkey bars, as well as three brand-new picnic tables.
“It’s powerful to see 200 volunteers coming together with a common goal,” added Brooking, who is one of eight nominees still in the running for the 2008 Neighborhood MVP award. “Everyone here is giving up six hours of their time to do something that will have an impact on these kids for a very long time.
“As a kid, I grew up outdoors,” Brooking continued. “So I know the importance of getting outside. With today’s technology—TVs, video games—it is important to make sure kids are outside exercising and staying in shape.”
Former Falcons running back Warrick Dunn won the inaugural MVP award last year and Miranda Graham, executive director of Brooking’s Children’s Foundation, thinks Atlanta could boast a repeat winner in 2008. “Keith has an almost psychotic drive to help kids,” Graham explained. “He only has one off-day a week during the season, yet he is always finding time to give back to his community.”
Lewis Academy founder and CEO Patricia Lewis felt the impact of Brooking’s contributions, along with those of the 200 other volunteers, as the much-anticipated playground came to life. “Words cannot describe how much I appreciate you all making our students’ dreams come true,” praised Lewis as she addressed the throngs of helpers at the groundbreaking ceremony. “We have been waiting for this for three years. Now that we finally have a permanent home,” she said of her school, “we also have a playground.”
In addition to the honorary playground, all 17 NFL nominees also receive a donation to a charity of their choice. The MVP, determined by a fan vote at The Home Depot’s NFL microsite, will be announced at a refurbishment project in Tampa, Fla., during the week leading up to Super Bowl XLIII. An additional $25,000 charity donation will also be given to the winner.
After spending 30 minutes signing autographed pictures for any and all interested attendees, Brooking was presented with a $1,000 check from The Home Depot for his Children’s Foundation. “I want to thank Home Depot, the NFL, and KaBOOM! for joining together and making this possible,” said Brooking. “I’m just glad I could be a small part of it. It truly is an honor.”
Dimon can be reached at ridimon@gmail.com.
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