Spreading Our Wings

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and the Atlanta Falcons Junior Cheerleaders recently teamed up with the Rally Foundation, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to raise awareness and funds specifically for childhood cancer research.

The Atlanta Falcons Junior Cheerleaders helped support the Rally 4 Quarters 4 Research, which is a change collection program in which all the proceeds directly benefit childhood cancer research. The ladies collected nearly $900 that will go directly to help childhood cancer research!

The 2009 Junior Cheerleader Program is designed for girls ages 5-16. Participants received many great prizes including: one game performance during halftime of the November 8 Atlanta Falcons home game against the Washington Redskins, three rehearsals taught by the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and a game and practice uniform set complete with pom poms. 

kyla Cheerleaders Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, Atlanta Falcons Junior Cheerleaders, Rally Foundation

Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez visited Capitol View Elementary School this past week to “coach” a pedestrian safety clinic.  The event was part of the 6th annual FedEx Air & Ground Players of the Week program, which encourages NFL fans to vote for outstanding Air & Ground players throughout the season to benefit pedestrian safety programs nationwide.

As part of the program, FedEx is teaming up with Safe Kids USA – a national non-profit organization that works to prevent accidental injury among children – to deliver safer kids by making weekly donations in the winning players’ names to local Safe Kids coalitions across the country. FedEx is donating $10,000 to the Safe Kids Georgia Coalition, to improve pedestrian safety near the school.

kyla Appearance Tony Gonzalez

The Atlanta Falcons held their inaugural Thanksgiving luncheon on Tuesday. Erik Coleman, Ovie Mughelli, Marty Booker, Chevis Jackson, Tye Hill and other Falcons players were joined by two Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders to celebrate Thanksgiving with the students at South Hall Middle School. The luncheon began with a Thanksgiving arts and crafts session where everyone made cards and wrote, “What they are thankful for in 2009.” Everyone took advantage of this opportunity to put things into perspective and realize how much there is to be thankful for; things that we often take for granted on a daily basis. Safety Erik Coleman said, “I am very fortunate to be playing in the NFL and everyone doesn’t have this opportunity. It’s truly a blessing.”

After the arts and crafts session concluded, Thanksgiving lunch was provided by Turnstile Deli. This was a typical Thanksgiving meal which included turkey, ham, sweet potato soufflé, cornbread dressing and much more.  The last part of the luncheon consisted of several players, cheerleaders and students presenting their cards with the class. Principal Paula Stubbs deemed this “a once in a lifetime opportunity” for many of the students that participated.  There were (25) students that took part in the luncheon.  These students were selected by their recent hard work in school, brought up grades and/or perfect attendance.

kyla Appearance Chevis Jackson, Christopher Owens, Erik Coleman, Garrett Reynolds, Jose Valdez, Marty Booker, Ovie Mughelli, Tye Hill

Last week, the Atlanta Falcons Rookie Club sponsored by United Healthcare of Georgia, participated in a Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camp with special education students at South Forsyth High School. The camp consisted of five stations, each teaching basic skills of the game. The players were very involved with the students and helped guide them through the drills at each station. After the camp concluded, the players and students received lunch compliments of Chick-fil-A. The rookies made quite an impression on the staff as well. The administration staff at South Forsyth High School was very appreciative of the visit. They commended the players on their accessibility and genuine attitude. The players were very engaging with the students and showed support and offered assistance when needed.

kyla Appearance Antone Smith, Christopher Owens, Garrett Reynolds, John Parker Wilson, Jose Valdez, Lawrence Sidbury, Maurice Lucas, Rob Bruggeman, rookie club, Spencer Adkins, Vance Walker, William Moore

The Atlanta Falcons today announced the four winners of the 2009 Community Quarterback Award. The recipients of the award are Narva Farris (Carroll County Branch NAACP Re-Entry Services), Denise Wheeler (The Reece Center for Handicapped Horsemanship), Rayonta Whitfield (Georgia Amateur Boxing Association) and Regina Faye Butts (Hancock County Family Connection).  The award honors individuals who are committed to improving their community through volunteerism.

The winners were selected by a panel of civic and community leaders and will be honored during an on-field presentation during the Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles game Sunday, December 6, 2009.  In addition, a $2,000 grant will be awarded to the non-profit organization each winner serves.

Narva Farris – Carroll County Branch NAACP Re-Entry Services

For the past 40 years, Farris has been a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and has served as a volunteer District Coordinator for six years, Chairman of Voter Registration Drives for seven years, President of the Carroll County Branch for seven years, Legal Redress Advisor for six years and Assistant Director of the Re-Entry Services Program for three years.  He has assisted individuals with enrolling back in school, completing their high school education, serves as a mentor to young boys in a home without a father and at the golden age of 79 years goes in everyday to assist someone that needs encouraging.

The vision of the NAACP Re-Entry Services is to assist formerly incarcerated persons returning to Carroll County (Carrollton, GA) and surrounding counties from correctional facilities to have opportunities for developing a productive life and reducing barriers for successful transition back into the community.

Denise Wheeler – The Reece Center for Handicapped Horsemanship

Wheeler has served as a volunteer Assistant Director of The Reece Center for the past 15 years.  She coordinates all of the volunteers and riders, does the bookkeeping, cleans, collects donations and various other duties.  Wheeler has dedicated her life to The Reece Center and loves each rider as if they were her own.

The mission of The Reece Center for Handicapped Horsemanship has is to provide equine assisted therapy to the disabled children and adults of metro-Atlanta.  Equine assisted therapy helps build muscle tone, coordination, self confidence, provide emotional support and a host of other benefits to riders and their families.

Rayonta Whitfield – Georgia Amateur Boxing Association

For the past five years, Whitfield has served as a volunteer Assistant Boxing Coach to over 100 area youth that are members of the Augusta Boxing Club.  In addition to weekly practices, he transports, supervises and coaches youth in out of town tournaments at his own expense.  Whitfield has assumed the role of advisor, counselor, mentor and more importantly role model to the youth that look up to him and strive to be a champion like him some day.

The Georgia Amateur Boxing Association is an inner city after school activities program that focuses on athletics with an emphasis on boxing.

Regina Faye Butts – Hancock County Family Connection

Butts has worked diligently to increase literacy and improve the quality of living for the children and families of Hancock County (Sparta, GA).  She currently serves as Head Start Family Service Manager and has enrolled over 400 pre-school students to the program.  Additionally, she has assisted in coordinating a county-wide health clinic for a community of nearly 10,000 that does not have access to a local hospital and many struggle with limited or no health care coverage.  This clinic provides medical services, food and clothing to those in need.

The Hancock County Family Connection is part of statewide network of 159 community collaborative partnerships committed to making measurable improvements for children and families in Georgia.

kyla Miscellaneous Community Quarterback Award

The Atlanta Falcons are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 High School Coach of the Week, Captain in the Community, Youth Team of the Week and Cheer Squad of the Week for the Week of November 16.

High School Coach of the Week:

Jonathan Sanks of Towers High School in Decatur, GA is in his second year as head football coach at the school. His team finished 7-3 this season and making the playoffs after finishing 1-9 last season in his first year. The team is making a playoff appearance for the first time since 2004 and had their first winning season this year since then. He is a graduate of Southern University where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degree.

Each week of the season, the winner will receive a plaque signed by Head Coach Mike Smith and a $1,000 grant from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund to his school’s athletic department.

Captain in the Community:

The Atlanta Falcons Captain in the Community Winner is Dylan Leonard an OT at Ola High School in McDonough, GA.

When asked, “What makes a good leader and why is giving back to the community so important?”, Dylan replied:

“A good leader is someone who always does the right thing and always goes 100%. It is important to give back to the community because it’s important to help out those less fortunate than ourselves.”

The Captain in the Community program recognizes outstanding high school football student-athletes around the State of Georgia that demonstrate strong leadership skills both on and off the field. Winners are selected by USA Football, the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL. Additionally, each winner’s high school will receive a grant in the amount of $1,000 to support community initiatives courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Youth Team of the Week:

The Youth Team of the Week is the Locust Grove Pony Falcons 9U team located in Locust Grove, GA.

This program recognizes outstanding youth football teams around the State of Georgia through mid-November. Each winning team’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Cheer Squad of the Week:

The Cheer Squad of the Week is the New Rock Redskins 12U squad located in Newton, GA.

This program recognizes outstanding youth cheer squads around the State of Georgia through mid-November. Each winning squad’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

For more information on these programs, please click here.

kyla Youth Football Captain in the Community, Cheer Squad of the Week, Coach of the Week, Youth Team of the Week

The Atlanta Falcons are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 High School Coach of the Week, Captain in the Community, Youth Team of the Week and Cheer Squad of the Week for the Week of November 9.

High School Coach of the Week:

Adam Winegarden of Dalton High School in Dalton, GA is in his second year as head football coach at the school. His team is off to a 7 – 2 start.  Their win against Rome a few weeks back clinched 50 consecutive winning seasons for the school and the team is on its way to the playoffs again this year.

Each week of the season, the winner will receive a plaque signed by Head Coach Mike Smith and a $1,000 grant from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund to his school’s athletic department.

Captain in the Community:

The Atlanta Falcons Captain in the Community Winner is Caleb Watkins a DB/RB at Martin Luther King High School in Lithonia, GA.

“When asked, “What makes a good leader and why is giving back to the community so important?”, Caleb replied:

“A good leader is one that people can trust, follow, and depend on and is able to handle the expectations placed on him. He is reliable and can be held accountable for his actions. Giving back to the community is important because the community is what brought us up and raised us to be the young men that we are, so giving back is the right thing to do. It will be God’s will to do so.”

The Captain in the Community program recognizes outstanding high school football student-athletes around the State of Georgia that demonstrate strong leadership skills both on and off the field. Winners are selected by USA Football, the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL. Additionally, each winner’s high school will receive a grant in the amount of $1,000 to support community initiatives courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Youth Team of the Week:

The Youth Team of the Week is the Glenwood Hills Panthers 10U Gold Team located in Decatur, GA.

This program recognizes outstanding youth football teams around the State of Georgia through mid-November. Each winning team’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Cheer Squad of the Week:

The Cheer Squad of the Week is the 7-8 Panhandle Gamecocks Black located in Lovejoy, GA.

This program recognizes outstanding youth cheer squads around the State of Georgia through mid-November. Each winning squad’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

For more information on these programs, please click here.

kyla Youth Football Captain in the Community, Cheer Squad of the Week, Coach of the Week, Youth Team of the Week

Student deciding which foods are healthy

Christopher Owens and teammates head down court as they score a point

After the conclusion of the relay race the students, players and cheerleaders participated in a game of Football-Basketball Toss-Up. For more information visit atlantafalcons.com/firstdownforfitness.

kyla Appearance Christopher Owens, First Down For Fitness, Jose Valdez, Michael Jenkins

Tony Gilbert and Kroy Biermann spent an afternoon this past week reading to children at White Oak Elementary in Buford.  The players read short stories to the children and discussed the importance of literacy.  This event was very exciting for the children as many of them had not had an opportunity to meet a professional football player before.  They were even more excited when they had learned that Kroy Biermann had scored a touchdown in this past Monday night’s game against New Orleans!

For more information on Read with a Falcon, please click here.

kyla Appearance Kroy Biermann, Read with a Falcon, Tony Gilbert

The Atlanta Falcons are pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 High School Coach of the Week, Captain in the Community, Youth Team of the Week and Cheer Squad of the Week for the Week of November 2.

High School Coach of the Week:

John Small of South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, GA is in his fifth year as head coach at South Gwinnett High School.  His team currently has a 7 – 1 record and will be making the playoffs this season.  Prior to joining South Gwinnett High School, Coach Small served as the defensive coordinator at Oconee High School for four seasons.

Each week of the season, the winner will receive a plaque signed by Head Coach Mike Smith and a $1,000 grant from the NFL’s Youth Football Fund to his school’s athletic department.

Captain in the Community:

The Atlanta Falcons Captain in the Community Winner is Scott Chewning a quarterback at Gainesville High School in Gainesville, GA.

When asked, “What makes a good leader and why is giving back to the community so important?”, Scott replied:

“A good leader is someone who leads first by actions then through speech and words of correction and encouragement. Giving back is important because your community is where you live and where your children will grow up, therefore for the benefit of yourself and others one should give back to the community.”

The Captain in the Community program recognizes outstanding high school football student-athletes around the State of Georgia that demonstrate strong leadership skills both on and off the field. Winners are selected by USA Football, the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL. Additionally, each winner’s high school will receive a grant in the amount of $1,000 to support community initiatives courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Youth Team of the Week:

The Youth Team of the Week is the Woodville Wolverines 12U located in Savannah, GA.

This program recognizes outstanding youth football teams around the State of Georgia through mid-November. Each winning team’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

Cheer Squad of the Week:

The Cheer Squad of the Week is the Forest Park Vikings 10U located in Forest Park, GA

This program recognizes outstanding youth cheer squads around the State of Georgia through mid-November. Each winning squad’s organization will receive a grant in the amount of $500 courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL’s Youth Football Fund.

For more information on these programs, please click here.

kyla Youth Football Captain in the Community, Cheer Squad of the Week, Coach of the Week, Youth Team of the Week