Byron “Whizzer” White Award winner and Carolina Panther Thomas Davis sounded the alarm to his NFL friends from across the country to descend on Charlotte from May 13 to May15 for a weekend about giving back. The city will be filled with players for a yacht cruise, hospital and middle school visits, a free football camp and golf tournament.
The Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation (TDDDF) presents this Charity Weekend each year. It begins May 13 as players head to the Levine Children’s Hospital to encourage sick children. The pros will then visit two Charlotte middle schools for Surprise EOG Pep Rallies to inspire students to do well on testing. The rallies will end with a pro versus student/teacher 3-point basketball shoot-out. Please embargo school locations until after 12:00 noon on May 13, to ensure students are surprised.
That same evening players and fans will board a yacht for delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres. The Cruising for Dreams Fundraiser will be held on Lake Norman and will contain an exclusive silent auction and Carolina Panther deejay, DJ Vinny. Tickets are $150 and are available until May 12 at 2:00 p.m. at www.defendingdreams.org, all proceeds benefit TDDDF’s community efforts.
On May 14, Thomas Davis’ Free Youth Football Camp will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. for over 500 children at Revolution Park and Field (2425 Barringer Drive). The camp filled this year in less than 22 hours after being posted to social media. Youth, ages 6-16, who pre-registered will receive training from world renowned Coach Oscar Dillard and professional players.
Thomas Davis’ First Annual Golf Tournament will kick off on May 15 at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation. Pros will play with local golfers on the Thomas Jackson designed course. Greetings begin at 11:00 am, lunch and dinner are provided. Golfers can register at www.defendingdreamsr.org to play with a purpose.
TDDDF helps families in Charlotte; Davis’ hometown of Shellman, Ga. and Davis’ wife’s hometown of Greenville, S.C. Over 2,100 families are helped by TDDDF each year through leadership programming for students, a book bag and toy drive, meals for the homeless and a football camp. All programs that TDDDF provide the community are completely free and every donation goes to support efforts to educate, empower and defend youth.
