FALCONS ANNOUNCE WEEKLY COMMUNITY EVENTS AND AWARD WINNERS
As part of the NFL's celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month and the Atlanta Falcons First Down for Fitness program, wide receiver Harry Douglas, guard Garrett Reynolds and other Falcons players will be participating in an Atlanta Falcons Gatorade Junior Training Camp at Montclair Elementary in Atlanta. This free football camp, a program geared towards children in third through sixth grade, stresses the importance of proper football technique and promotes physical activity as well as proper hydration. The players will be coaching the children through the various stations and will be teaching them different football techniques.
The Falcons First Down for Fitness is a three-month program (September 1 thru November 25, 2011) designed to challenge third through seventh grade students throughout the state of Georgia to participate in fitness activities, eat healthy, and lead a healthy lifestyle. This incentive-based program rewards participants for being active five days a week for at least 60 minutes a day. The Falcons First Down for Fitness program is at an all-time high with over 40,000 students from all across the state of Georgia. The Falcons continue to be one of the leaders in the League with the NFL Play 60 movement.
When: Tuesday October 11
12:45 p.m.
Where: Montclair Elementary
1680 Clairmont Terrace Northeast
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
Safety James Sanders, wide receiver Kerry Meier, safety Shann Schillinger and other Falcons players will be serving lunch to the city's less fortunate at the City of Refuge. The City of Refuge provides over 19,000 meals per month to needy individuals, including children in COR programs, residents in transitional and shelter facilities, neighbors in the local community and the homeless. This non-profit organization is dedicated to the community development efforts that will lead to the stability and sustainability of the local community. This is accomplished through programs that seek to provide access, information and opportunity to individuals and families who find themselves in crisis.
When: Tuesday October 11
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: City of Refuge
1300 Joseph E. Boone Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30314
Tight end Michael Palmer will present Otwell Middle School physical education and health teacher Brian Whitmer with a "Symetra Heroes in the Classroom" award at a school assembly. (Whitmer does not know that he has won the award and the students and teachers do not know that Palmer is visiting their school.) Whitmer, who is visually impaired, was nominated for the award by a former student and current Paralympic Games athlete, who also is blind.
Whitmer is one of 16, K-12 teachers across Georgia who will be honored for educational excellence in the "Symetra Heroes in the Classroom" program during the 2011 NFL season. Teachers are recognized in front of their students and peers at surprise in-school presentations, and they receive a $1,000 donation for classroom books and supplies. In addition, they receive tickets to a Falcons home game and are acknowledged during on-field presentations at the Georgia Dome. Whitmer will be recognized at the Oct. 16 game when the Falcons take on the Carolina Panthers.
Teachers may be nominated by their principal, district staff, student or student's parent. The winners are selected based on their ability to balance the core curriculum with students' individual needs; build trust among students, parents and the community; and invest in their students' long-term success.
More information about Symetra Heroes in the Classroom is available at http://www.symetra.com/heroes/falcons/Pages/falcons.aspx
When: Tuesday October 11
9:15 a.m.
Where: Otwell Middle School
605 Tribble Gap Road
Cumming, GA 30040
The Atlanta Falcons are pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 High School Coach of the Week and Captain in the Community presented by Russell Athletic, as well as the Youth Team of the Week and Cheer Squad of the Week for the week of October 10.
High School Coach of the Week presented by Russell Athletic:
Bobby Johns of Bacon County High School located in Alma, GA has been selected as this week's NFL High School Coach of the Week. This past Friday night, Bacon County defeated Telfair 21-0 bringing their record to 5-1.
Each week of the season, the winner of this award will receive a plaque signed by Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith and a $1,000 grant from the NFL's Youth Football Fund to his school's athletic department. The coaching staff will also receive Coach of the Week sweat suits along with Coach of the Week t-shirts for members of the football team.
To submit a nomination for the Atlanta Falcons Captain in the Community Program, please visit http://www.atlantafalcons.com/community/youth-football/
Captain in the Community presented by Russell Athletic:
The Atlanta Falcons Captain in the community winner is Trent Van Pelt, an offensive/defensive lineman at Fellowship Christian High School in Roswell, GA.
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.
To submit a nomination for the Atlanta Falcons Captain in the Community Program, please visit http://www.atlantafalcons.com/community/youth-football/
Youth Team of the Week:
The Youth Team of the Week is the Archer Tigers, an eight-year-old team located in Loganville, 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.
To submit a nomination for the Atlanta Falcons Youth Team of the Week program, please visit http://www.atlantafalcons.com/community/youth-football/
Cheer Squad of the Week:
The Cheer Squad of the Week is the Midway Wildcats, a 12 & under cheerleading squad located in Atlanta, 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.
To submit a nomination for the Atlanta Falcons Cheer Squad of the Week program, please visit http://www.atlantafalcons.com/community/youth-football/
For photos and additional information on the 2011 winners, please check out "Spreading Our Wings", the Falcons Community blog on atlantafalcons.com.
