Emmitt Smith Gran Fondo

www.emmittsmithgranfondo.com

Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities and Belk Donate 1,600 Uniforms for Back-to-School

 

Pat and Emmitt Smith with students at Dade Middle School

 Each year, thousands of North Texas families in need struggle to pay for school uniforms. As more schools require uniforms, some families have difficulty in providing adequate clothing for their children. On Thursday, August 13, Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities (PESC) representatives, along with employees of Belk Galleria Dallas provided uniforms for two underserved DISD schools. “Education is the cornerstone to achieve what you want in life,” said Emmitt Smith. “Pat and I are honored that Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities has been able to help students in the North Texas community obtain the uniforms they need, while instilling confidence and enthusiasm to attend school.”

Mills Elementary student with her new uniform

Belk created pop-up shops in the gymnasiums at Roger Q. Mills Elementary School and Billy Earl Dade Middle School to make new uniforms available to all current students. The donation of new, high-quality clothing from PESC and Belk will help to level the playing field for these families as they gear up for back-to-school. “We feel a need to ease the stress and challenges these families endure with affording new uniforms at the start of every school year,” said Pat Smith. “We want to ensure these students start school without worrying about basic necessities, like a uniform.”

Emmitt Smith and Eddie Bernice Johnson at Mills Elementary

This was the second year Belk has supported the initiative, doubling its donations to over 1,600 uniforms this year. To date, Belk has donated more than 2,400 uniforms, a value of more than $94,000, for DISD students. “Our annual uniform donation program was created to help families who struggle to make ends meet in cities across our footprint,” said Jessica Graham, Vice President of Communications and Community Relations at Belk. “We were so happy to collaborate with Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities to bring this initiative back to Dallas.”

Pat Smith with students at Dade Middle School

At Roger Q. Mills Elementary School, PESC was honored to have the Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson attend the ceremony. Her advice to students? "Read. Study. Pray and drink water. That's what will ensure your success." Great advice for all kids of all ages! As an added surprise for Billy Earl Dade Middle School students, Carol Roberts announced that Albertsons would be donating 500,000 Campbell's e-lable points that the school can redeem for athletic and technology equipment. The Campbell's Labels for Education program is a school fund raising program designed with busy families in mind as an alternative to traditional fund raising. By saving and redeeming product UPCs and beverage/sauce caps from participating products schools can earn free educational merchandise, such as computers, software, sports equipment, musical instruments, library books and even a minivan.

Belk and Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities Giveaway School Uniforms

Belk department stores is committed to making their local communities stronger in a number of ways, including providing educational assistance to students.

Volunteers from Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities and E Smith Realty Partners prepare their clothing station

This back-to-school season, Belk teamed up with one of their Dallas community partners, Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, to provide free school uniforms to hundreds of Dallas ISD (DISD) students. Each year, many Dallas students are required to wear uniforms, but their families may not have the funds for this purchase.

Dr. Liliana Valadez, Miguel Solis (DISD)

On Thursday, August 7 more than 400 students from Onesimo Hernandez Elementary School received these required uniform items from Belk and Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities at no cost during the giveaway event.

Student and her mom excited to receive new school uniform   

The evening was full of buzz and excitement as the school’s gym was transformed into a back-to-school pop-up shop where students were able to receive shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, belts and socks.

Pat and Emmitt Smith

Pat and Emmitt Smith spoke to students and parents about the importance of education and staying in school, and Belk associates and event volunteers assisted the students in selecting their new uniforms. Snacks were provided and a live DJ made it a high-energy night to get ready for the new school year.

Beth Tran, Leslie Boysen, Ronelle Ianace, Nina Jones (Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities)

Special guests included Senator Royce West (Texas Senator, District 23), Dr. Liliana Valadez (DISD Executive Director, Division 3) and Miguel Solis (DISD Board of Trustees President).

Emmitt Smith, Jan Clevenger, Gary Siler, Jim Rose, Salem Boohaker (Belk), Dr. Liliana Valadez, Miguel Solis (DISD)

Emmitt Smith Charities honored Magic Johnson with first-ever Roger Staubach Award

Almost 1,000 guests packed the Omni Dallas Hotel for the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational, presented by SoftLayer, on May 9. They were there to pay tribute to Earvin “Magic” Johnson – an iconic NBA superstar who has inspired millions on and off the court with his philanthropy who also happens to be a powerhouse entrepreneur – and his wife Cookie as they received the first-ever Roger Staubach Award.

The ballroom at Omni Dallas resembled a gold and white wonderland.

Before the weekend was over, $1 million had been raised for the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, which creates and funds unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children. 

Pat and Emmitt Smith, Roger and Marianne Staubach, Cookie and Magic Johnson
Photo by Layne Murdoch

The Staubach Award has been established “to recognize individuals who have brought together the world of sports/entertainment and business to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of children and youth.”  The award is given to recipients who exemplify excellence personally, professionally and philanthropically. It is the only award to be named in Staubach’ s honor other than one established at his alma mater, the U.S. Naval Academy.

Guests entered the Friday Night Party, sponsored by Albertsons, on the traditional “Dallas Cowboy” blue carpet, sponsored by Cigna.

Pat and Emmitt’s longtime friend, Alfonso Ribeiro (best known as Carlton on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air) emceed the event, launching the program with the famous Carlton dance to Tom Jones hit It’s Not Unusual.  

Alfonso and Angela Ribeiro

Magic praised Pat and Emmitt for their generosity, love and good work benefiting the Team 22 students, who are being mentored and provided with incredible opportunities, and the thousands of North Texas youth. 

“I can’t think of a better way to kick off our fifth year than with a new award named after our good friend and hero, Roger Staubach,” said Pat Smith. “And it’s such a thrill to give the first award to Cookie and Magic, an incredible power couple who have set the bar very high and been a true inspiration to Emmitt and me.”

After the program, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Darius Rucker sang over an hour and finished by donating a guitar that he and Emmitt signed. It was auctioned off for $25,000.

Darius Rucker performed for attendees.

Christie and Robert Ferguson and Marion and Bennett Glazer were the weekend’s honorary chairs. Event chairs were Lisa and Steve Lieberman. 

 There were celebs aplenty from NBA, WNBA, NFL and Major League Baseball and a local star of TV’s The Bachelor (Jake Pavelka) – Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, Joe Carter, Richard Dent, Eric Dickerson, Michael Finley, Charles Haley, Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, Jay Humphrey, Rickey Jackson, Daryl Johnston, David Justice, Nancy Lieberman, Kenny Lofton, Roland Martin, Coach Will Muschamp, David Nelson, Nate Newton, Drew Pearson, Preston Pearson, Alfonso Ribeiro, Donna Richardson, Trent Richardson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Winfred Tubbs, Nick Van Exel, Clay Walker, Spud Webb and Darren Woodson.

TEAM 22 and Magic

During the Saturday golf tourney held at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney and sponsored by American Airlines, the $1 million mark was hit, thanks to fundraising held on the course and a special donation from Healthcare Highways owner Michael Wilson.

A portion of the proceeds from the weekend will be distributed to beneficiaries in North Texas chosen through a grant process this summer. Applications and criteria can be found at www.patandemmittsmithcharities.org. Other proceeds will be used to fund the Smith’s own Team 22 to attend Camp Champions, travel to Washington DC and participate in other unique experience throughout the year.

For more information or to watch a video recap of the Friday Night Party, go to emmittsmith.com

Sports Legend Magic Johnson to Receive First-Ever Roger Staubach Award from Emmitt Smith

An iconic sports figure who has inspired millions on and off the court, legendary NBA superstar and powerhouse entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and his wife Cookie, will receive the first-ever “Roger Staubach Award” at the fifth-annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational weekend, presented by SoftLayer, on May 9-10, 2014.

Cookie and Magic Johnson

 

Pat and Emmitt Smith will present the award to the Johnsons at the “Friday Night Party,” sponsored by Albertsons, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The festivities continue Saturday, with an 18-hole charity golf tournament, presented by American Airlines, at TPC Craig Ranch, in McKinney. Proceeds from the weekend will go to Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, (PESC), a 501(c)(3) public charity that creates and funds unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children.

The Staubach Award has been established “to recognize individuals who have brought together the world of sports/entertainment and business to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of children and youth.” Named for the legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback and real estate icon, the award is given to recipients who exemplify excellence personally, professionally and philanthropically. This is the only award to be named in Staubach’s honor other than one established at his alma mater, the U.S. Naval Academy.

“I’ve been a friend of Pat and Emmitt’s for years and I really respect what they do to help North Texas kids, so it was an easy call to attach my name to this project,” said Staubach. “I’m doubly honored – first, to have this award named in my honor but also to have the first recipients be Cookie and Magic Johnson. They’ve given back by creating jobs and opportunities, and helped so many kids in countless ways.”

Emmitt Smith at his Celebrity Invitational with students from his Team 22 program

Other highlights of the Friday Night Party include a performance by Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Darius Rucker. Dress is cocktail attire.

 

Celebrities participating in the weekend include Marcus Allen, Joe Carter, Tony Casillas, Roger Clemens, Billy Dawson, Eric Dickerson, Rudy Gatlin, Charles Haley, Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson, Daryl Johnston, Donna Richardson Joyner, Nancy Lieberman, Coach Will Muschamp, Nate Newton, Jake Pavelka, Preston Pearson, Alfonso Ribeiro, Trent Richardson, Deion Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson, Clay Walker and Spud Webb.

Christie and Robert Ferguson and Marion and Bennett Glazer are the weekend’s honorary chairs. Event chairs are Lisa and Steve Lieberman

 

The Saturday golf tournament begins with registration at 7:30 a.m. – including breakfast and lunch presented by The Ryan Foundation; “Dapper Den” gifting suite presented by DAPPER Mag; and the driving range presented by Informatica. The shotgun start for players only is at 9 a.m., the VIP Pavilion presented by Park Place Lexus is from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., the players-only award ceremony will feature food donated by Cattleack BBQ. Scott Murray will be the master of ceremonies.

Emmitt Smith, Pat Smith at the 2013 Emmitt Smith Invitational

“I can’t think of a better way to kick off our fifth year than with a new award named after our good friend and hero, Roger Staubach,” said Pat Smith. “And it’s such a thrill to give the first award to Cookie and Magic, an incredible power couple who have set the bar very high and been a true inspiration to Emmitt and me.”

 

To date, the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational has raised more than $2.4 million in support of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities.

 

Tickets for the Friday Night Party begin at ^$500, and pavilion passes for the VIP Pavilion at the Saturday Golf Tournament are ^$50 each. For ticket and sponsorship details, go to www.emmittsmith.com/celebrity-invitational or contact Jenny Heiser at jenny@faysawers.com

 

2014 Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Events

2014 EMMITT SMITH CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL

“FRIDAY NIGHT PARTY” AND CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

Benefiting Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities

May 9-10, 2014

 

“Friday Night Party” presented by Albertsons
Omni Hotel Dallas

Red carpet at 6:30 p.m., dinner and awards presentation at 7:30 p.m.
and live music by Emerald City at 9 p.m.

 

Saturday Charity Golf Tournament, presented by American Airlines
TPC Craig Ranch, 8000 Collin McKinney Pkwy., McKinney, TX 75070

Registration and breakfast at 7:30 a.m., golf tournament at 9 a.m.
and awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m.

 

Presented by SoftLayer, the fifth annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational, is set for May 9 -10 with a “Friday Night Party” at the Omni Dallas Hotel featuring a VIP red carpet, followed by a celebrity reception, dinner, live auction, dancing and other entertainment. The Saturday charity golf tournament takes place the following morning at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney with players and other sports and entertainment celebrities partnered with each foursome, followed by an afternoon awards ceremony. 

While last year’s event raised more than ^$400,000 distributed to 47 North Texas charities, that amount is expected to climb in 2014.

 

Proceeds from the weekend go to Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, (PESC), a 501(c)(3) public charity that creates and funds unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children.

 

Register here:  http://www.emmittsmith.com/celebrity-invitational