Since so much time and attention is focused on the bad things some star athletes do, I thought I'd start a thread to share things we hear that reflect truly great things done by some of them.

[Warrick]Dunn just keeps putting families into houses. In 12 years he's assisted 77 single parents and 201 children into homes.

That's just amazing. If other users have accounts of other athletes charitable contributions, please do share. Good news isn't always easy to find...

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My personal favorite is the annual Philadelphia Flyer's Wives Fight for Life Carnival...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Michael1 this is a very good idea and a thread I hope expoldes with positive news on each of the major sports. I am going to locate some to post myself. Thanks for a fine thread.

Here we go a start: Newsmakers
Texans' Johnson gives back:::::::::: Texans' Andre Johnson gives back | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle


By LANA BERKOWITZ
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle


How many toys can you stuff into a shopping cart during an 80-second shopping spree?

If you're Christopher Fields, 9, that would be five remote-control vehicles about 3 feet long.

Fields' haul made Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson's game face break into a rare smile. Johnson, 26, sponsored the shopping extravaganza Tuesday for 12 children ages 8 to 16.

"I was laughing," the All-Pro said about watching Christopher wrestle oversize remote-control cars into a basket, "That reminds me of me because that's what I was into when I was that age."

The Andre Johnson Charitable Foundation picked up the $12,000 tab for kids who were selected by Child Protective Services staff. Johnson sponsors events for children in Houston and his hometown of Miami.

Warrick Dunn Helps Single Mothers with "Home for the Holidays" Foundation

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Good for Warrick Dunn and all who are helped by the fund..

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"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins

About All Stars Helping Kids

These people got together with NASDAQ and athletes who want to raise funds or donate to children's causes:

Emmitt Smith raises $559K for Shelton School

Along with his wife, Emmit and a host of other athletes and private donors auctioned off trip destnation packages and even "a golf game with Emmitt" for sometimes as high as 12 or 30 thousand dollars to bring the largest total to this school for challenged kids.

May 2008-The Dallas Morning News reports that "Pat and Emmitt Smith served as the honorary chairs of the April 12 Shelton School Stampede Benefit Auction, which raised the largest amount of funding in the auction’s 19-year history, $559,430."

The 32-year old Shelton School is the largest private school in the world for students with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, speech, and language disorders.The Raiser's Razor: Emmitt Smith raises $559K for Shelton School

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Consumption is indeed important in a free economy: particularly the freedom of consumers to buy their goods in unhampered markets. However, key to long-term economic growth is investment (savings), which is the opposite of consumption. Public policies that promote consumption — such as low interest rates — do so at the expense of savings. Less savings means less investments; an economy that does not save or invest will consume all of its resources and eventually end up bankrupt.-David Saied

The Jason Taylor Foundation

The Jason Taylor Foundation supports and creates programs that facilitate the personal growth and improvement of South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life.

Jason Taylor Foundation - Home

Taylor, the 2006 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is widely acknowledged for his charitable efforts. He and his wife, Katina, established the Jason Taylor Foundation in 2004. The Office Depot Foundation donations were announced at the Office Depot Global Headquarters in Delray Beach.

"Jason Taylor is truly a role model for professional athletes who are committed to philanthropy," says Mary Wong, President of the Office Depot Foundation. "The vision that he and Katina have for the Jason Taylor Foundation aligns exceptionally well with the mission of the Office Depot Foundation. We are delighted to form this partnership and look forward to playing on the same team to help South Florida's kids."

Jason Taylor Supports Educational Opportunities for Florida Youth

Thanks for that.

I had been meaning to follow up with a story about one of my beloved Dolphins. JT has been named the NFL's Man of the Year for his charitable work. Of course it's merely a continuation of tradition with guys like Marino and his work fighting autism and Nick & his son Marc Buoniconti's efforts to fund paralysis research.

For more than just the product they put on the field (especially last year ), I love my Dolphins !

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I don't follow football (gasp!) - I'm more of a soccer fan myself. I know him from Dancing with the Stars (double gasp!),

Dick and Rick Hoyt blow my mind and make me proud