Light Foundation Sponsors Three Community Events
Events Held Earlier this Year.
To read more, click here.
2nd Annual Ghosts N' Goblins Run
YMCA and the Light Foundation team up for 5K Trail Run
To read more, click here.
Matt Light Honored as 2011 Special Legend
At Hockomock Area YMCA’s 6th Annual Legend’s Ball
To read more, click here.
Matt Light Goes Back to School
Light Foundation Supporters Pay It Forward With School Donation
To read more, click here.
Matt Light's NFL Lock-Out Breakfast with NBC Sports Analyst Peter King
Inside the CBA, Free Agency, and the 2011 NFL Draft
To read the follow-up story, click here.
Oakland Church of the Brethren Hosts Sunday School Class Picnic at Chenoweth Trails
In August, Chenoweth Trails and the Light Foundation were honored to host Oakland Church of the Brethren’s Sunday School Picnic. The group of adults and children came out and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere, outdoor environment, and the facility’s eating area, grills and fire-pit, making the picnic one to remember. By inviting those who did not have a church home, the group was able to provide a comfortable place for parishioners to socialize, develop new friendships, and enjoy the trails they helped the Foundation clear last fall.
Thank You Bob Evans
The New Bob Evans Restaurant in Greenville Ohio Presents $1,000 Check to Matt Light for The Light Foundation
On Monday, December 13, 2010, the new Bob Evans Restaurant on Wagner Avenue in Greenville, Ohio held its grand opening. The Bob Evans policy is to donate a portion of its opening day proceeds to a local charitable organization, and the Light Foundation was the beneficiary of the new restaurant’s generosity. Matt Light was in town on February 21 and was pleased to accept the $1,000 donation. The Light Foundations thanks Bob Evans’ Steve and Mandy Kirby for selecting the Light Foundation to receive this donation. We greatly appreciate the support!
Boy Scouts Camp at Chenoweth Trails
Brave Sub-zero Temperatures
Boy Scout Troop 184 from Union City, Ohio, showed their toughness this February when they braved sub-zero weather during their winter campout at the Light Foundation’s Chenoweth Trails facilities. The eight boys, four adults and troop leader Larry Young used one of the Foundation’s two 30-foot diameter yurts as home base, and honed their first aid, hiking, tracking and outdoor-cooking skills during the weekend stay. Rumor has it that they spent their return trip talking over plans for a return visit.
The Light Foundation Highlighted by NESN’s “AFTER THE GAME”
What does NE Patriot Left Tackle Matt Light do after the game? As many of you know, he puts his heart and soul into work on behalf of his charity, the Light Foundation, which helps at-risk teens by providing them positive opportunities, so they can become responsible citizens, and leaders in their own communities.
Now, the New England Sports Network (NESN) is taking a sneak peek into the home of Matt and his family, on “After the Game.”
The athletes not only share their homes with viewers, they will get chance to promote their favorite charities and foundations, which will each earn a $5,000 grant.
Fans will have the chance to join forces with NESN and the Hess Corporation to pick the most deserving charity. The winning nonprofit will be granted an additional $25,000.
Visit http://www.nesn.com/vote-for-your-favorite-after-the-game-charity.html and vote for the Light Foundation. If we get the most votes we win $25,000 for the Foundation.
Please follow the link and be sure to vote once each week. Feel free to pass the word along to anyone you know. With your continued support, we can make it happen!
After the series finale on November 20th, we'll know who won -- so please keep the momentum going!
Ghosts and Goblins Run
5K Trail Run was Family Fun
The Light Foundation and the YMCA of Darke County teamed up to put on a unique running event for Darke County. The first ever Ghosts and Goblins 5K Trail Run/Family Fun Night took place on October 14 at Chenoweth Trails. Over 200 individuals, of which 133 competed in the 5K run, were in attendance at the inaugural event. The youngest runner was 5 years old and the oldest was 68. Participants came from 28 different cities and 2 states to run at Chenoweth Trails. Here is a quote from a participant who sent us her thoughts on the event: "Your property is indeed a special place where people can get in-tune with nature. Last night as I looked around at the families and kids enjoying themselves with the simple things in life....crafts, playing tag, picking pumpkins, enjoying a campfire, etc...while Mom and Dad, or sister, finished a fantastically challengingtrail run...it made me realize that Chenoweth Trails is truly a cool place!" Matt Light made this statement about the event: "We were very happy to have partnered with the Y on this event. Providing a venue for parents and children to enjoy time together is what Chenoweth Trails is all about."
2010 Pumpkin Festival
Foundation Hosts Great Pumpkin Patch Event
For the second year, the Light Foundation hosted the "Great Pumpkin Patch" Pumpkin Festival. The Foundation teamed up with The Darke County United Way and Gateway Youth Programs to pull off the successful event on October 16 and 17. All the proceeds went to support the United Way programs to help youth. Participants enjoyed pumpkin painting, s'mores, hot chocolate, and a carriage ride around the property at Chenoweth Trails. Many people in the community expressed their appreciation to the Light Foundation for offering these opportunities for people to come together, have fun, and enjoy the great outdoors.
MATT LIGHT ANNOUNCES WINNER OF HIS ‘LIGHT IT UP’ CHARITY RAFFLE FOR THE ULTIMATE FAN EXPERIENCE
Lucky Fan Meets Light, Tom Brady and Wes Welker on the Field
New England Patriot Matt Light recently announced the winner of his “Light It Up” charity raffle, a unique fundraiser that awarded one lucky winner with the ultimate fan experience. Philip G. Moses, of Rockland, Massachusetts, was picked at random through an online raffle, entered by more than three-thousand participants. Moses and three other guests won club seats to the November 21st New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts game, and, after witnessing what was an exciting match-up, enjoyed an exclusive visit with some of the team’s biggest stars.
Moses and his guests were escorted onto the field, before heading to the Patriots dining area, where he was greeted by Light, wide receiver Wes Welker, and quarterback Tom Brady. He was presented with an original painting of Tom Brady and Wes Welker, done by well-known sports portraiture artist, Brian Fox, and personalized by the players.
For Moses, it was the chance of a lifetime. “Matt was an extraordinary host. He led us past Coach Belichick’s office into the Patriot’s dining area, and then I turned around and saw Tom Brady coming over to greet me! Wes Welker followed with a greeting that made me feel right at home. The light bulbs from the photographer’s camera were flashing as the players signed the painting,” he recalled. “The thrill of the entire day is something that I will always remember. I’m grateful for the friendliness and attention that we received. Most of all, I’m thankful to the New England Patriots and the Light Foundation for the first class manner in which we were treated,” added Moses.
Light teamed up with NetRaffle.org by Celebrities for Charity to conduct the raffle through NetRaffle™’s patented technology. Tickets were just $2 a piece, with a minimum purchase of five chances. In the end, the raffle raised nearly $90,000 for the Light Foundation, which creates and maintains programs aimed at providing positive opportunities and role models for at-risk youth.
Light was thrilled with the results of another successful fundraiser. “This raffle was a unique way to generate much-needed funding for our Foundation, which will support programs that directly help kids. I really enjoyed presenting this one-of-a-kind piece of art to Mr. Moses, and giving him and his guests the exclusive opportunity to meet my teammates, Tom and Wes,” he said.
INDIANA YOUTH EXPERIENCE PURDUE FOOTBALL
Invited as Football Recruits to the Campus to Meet with the Boilermaker Football Coaching Staff
On Saturday, October 16, 2010, our four Indiana youth from the Lafayette and W.
Lafayette areas had the privilege to experience the Purdue University Football Team program during Homecoming festivities versus Minnesota University. These young men were invited as football recruits to the campus to meet with the Boilermaker Football Coaching Staff as well as enjoy a lunch, get a tour of the training facilities and to hear a motivating speech by Coach Hope prior to the start of the game.
After lunch, they were ushered via VIP passes to the playing field where they were able to be a part of the sidelines during the team pregame drills. They then were escorted to their seats directly behind the team bench where they enjoyed watching the Boilermakers defeat Minnesota for a Homecoming victory.
After the game, they were invited to be special guests in the player’s locker room where they interviewed players and shared in the “after game meal” of pizza. Amazingly enough, our young men ended up being the last of the recruits to come out of the locker room! We found out later that they had video games, a pool table and other amenities in the locker room and that our young men were challenging the PU football players to play! What an experience!
These four young men all play football for their respective high schools. This experience has given them an understanding of what it can be like to play football at the collegiate level, if they choose to work hard and make that their goal. It is our desire at the Light Foundation, to be their encouragement as well as to motivate these young men to excel far beyond what they believe they can accomplish and to give them experiences that can show them how to succeed in life! One of the young men summed up their weekend experience as, “…the best weekend ever!”
A big “Thank You” to the Purdue Football Recruiting staff, especially Casey Nuss, head of PU Football Operations, Alex, our guide for the day, and Coach Hope for your encouraging words, for giving our guys an experience of a lifetime!
2010 Danny Pires Scholarship Award
Winners Announced at Annual Steak and Burger Night
On November 15, The Light Foundation teamed up with The Boys and Girls Club 
of Greater New Bedford to put on its annual Steak and Burger Night. Matt Light was accompanied by his teammate, Sebastian Vollmer, and both were on hand to sign autographs and support the Boys and Girls Club and the children who attended this event.
The dinner, held at the Century House in Acushnet, MA honored children by raising money for their club and by presenting deserving individuals with different awards including the Danny Pires Scholarship Awards. Two $500 scholarships sponsored by The Light Foundation were handed out in memory of Danny Pires - a beloved local sportswriter and community leader who passed away two years ago. The two recipients of this award were Lindsey Houle and Jillian Silva-Jones, both of New Bedford. Students were scored on academic standing, community service/school involvement, financial need, work experience, and an essay.
Lindsey Houle of New Bedford is 14 in her class of 508 at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and a member of the National Honor Society. She wants to major in communication and is editor-in-chief of the school magazine. Her essay was entitled, "Because of Her" about her mother who is the most supportive person in her life. She works part-time at Tootle Chimney Sweeps and volunteered at Hathaway Manor nursing Home. She is the daughter of Cheri and Alan Armes.
Jillian Silva-Jones also of New Bedford is 30 out of 641 at New Bedford High School and a member of the National Honor Society. Jillian is a three-sport Varsity athlete at NBHS, soccer, basketball and track. She has participated in UMass Dartmouth's Spotlight and Upward Bound programs. Jillian has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since she was young and is the 2010 Youth of the Year. Jillian has lots of community service at Gifts to Give, NBYSA Soccer Clinic, New Bedford Half Marathon and of course at the Boys & Girls Club. Jillian's essay was about Coach Bass, her High School Soccer coach, who she said cares about the whole person and has been a mentor to her. Jillian is second oldest of four children and her oldest sister is a student at Assumption College, so she needs help to pay for College next year and the scholarship will be a big help. Her parents are David Jones and Jean Silva.
Both winners and five other finalists will all be treated to a trip to the last home
Patriot’s game of the season against the Miami Dolphins.
Matt would like to thank Fernando Garcia and the entire Pires Scholarship Committee for making this happen for the second year in a row.
Rhode Island Leadership Youth Fall Experience
Youth Experienced First Hand What It Could Be Like To Have A Life In The Military
On November 12th, 2010, the Rhode Island youth from the Vohokase Leadership
Program experienced first hand what it could be like to have a life in the military. Major Jeff Blake of the Air National Guard stationed at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, MA gave the guys a fantastic experience through their visit to the base. Major Blake shared with the young men his own experience of being in the Marines for 13 years, then joining the Air National Guard after he decided to live the civilian life as a pilot for Southwest Airlines. His dedication to flying and to his country gave him the opportunity to return to full time active duty at the air base as an “on call” pilot whenever the Air National Guard is requested.
Major Blake’s presentation through video was also an intriguing experience for the
young men as they experienced flying an F15 from the view in the cockpit as well as dog fighting maneuvers that were filmed during training exercises. It was a great opportunity to view the intense films which led to their experience of trying on some of the gear that the pilots where as well as the technology that is used in their gear to control the plane and to gain information for their missions. They also were able to get a personal view of the F15 that was located in one of the hangars at the base. It was quite the sight to see them being able to touch the plane and to see how large the aircraft is up close.
Overall, Major Blake answered many of the young men’s questions about life in the military. It was also shared that all four of the guys have already been talking to military recruiters and that they all have an interest of a life in the military.
On Saturday, we took the guys to have some fun by having a great experience in downtown Boston and taking in a Boston Bruins game. Not only was the game an awesome time, but we had club-level seats which provided a great time for the guys as well as an awesome view of the game. As Dan H. stated at the game, “I never was interested in learning about hockey until I came here and got an awesome view of the game! This is great!” A great view does make a difference!
This will be the final year for these young men in the Vohokase Leadership Program. They were the original guys chosen for this program and they will be the first group to experience the graduation ceremony at Vohokase Camp in the summer of 2011. In the past three years, these young men have experienced a great deal by being a part of this program, but they have also learned that they too can help others change and to have a positive impact in the lives of others. It is our goal that we give them an awesome last year to continue to prepare them for what lies ahead in their future after high school.
The Light Foundation Teams Up with The Darke County YMCA and the Play Out Loud Program to Boost Kids Health
This past year the Light Foundation established a strong partnership with the Darke County YMCA and Play Out Loud Fitness Program. We sent Allan King and Tim Blakely, two trainers from the YMCA in Ohio, to a training weekend in New Hampshire with Play Out Loud. This program is not just about physical fitness - it helps boost kids confidence and improves their all around physical and emotional health. It is about character as much as it is about fitness. The Light Foundation donated all of the equipment needed to implement this program at the YMCA in Darke County so many people can benefit from this unique fitness program. Here is a letter written from Allan King after returning from this training.
"I just wanted to say thank you for sending Tim and I to the Play Out Loud Training. It was an outstanding weekend. We both very much enjoyed getting to meet and learn from Anthony and Rob, as well as the many other people we were fortunate enough to spend the weekend with. I am very excited to get started with this program and to be honest even train on it some myself. It will be a great asset to Darke County, the Y, your camp and the Light Foundation! Again, I wanted to let you inow how appreciative we are for all that you do in our county and for us! We are so excited to partner with The Light Foundation in every way."
Check out these videos that show you what it's all about...
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