Fairfax, Virginia: Local Youth QB Pledges “Pennies for Passes” to Feed Families in Need.
Fairfax, Virginia October 12, 2007 -- A Chantilly Youth Association (CYA) football player is collecting “Pennies for Passes” to assist Food for Others, a Fairfax, Virginia-based nonprofit charitable organization, purchase food for families in need at Thanksgiving.
Colton Roe, 11, the starting quarterback for the Chantilly Vikings, an 85LB Central Division football team in the Fairfax County Youth Football League (FCYFL), conceived the idea to help people in need while brainstorming ideas to help his older brother, Austin, 13, who also plays football for CYA, fulfill 15 hours of community service for school. Colton is thankful for the opportunity he has to “watch football and eat turkey on Thanksgiving.” “I like to help people” and “it makes me feel good” to help families in need, “especially if I can do it while playing football,” he said with a smile.
Executive Director Roxanne Rice was delighted he chose Food for Others to support his charity. “What a wonderful example of community service and helping people in need,” Rice said, “and at such a young age.”
Austin is all too happy to help his brother with his new charity, while fulfilling his community service requirement and sharing their passion for football. Colton explained that people can “pledge pennies for passes” and donate an amount based on the “total yards passed” at the end of the season. “So if someone pledges a penny per yard, and I throw 500 yards this season, that’s $5.00,” he explained. And Colton may well be on his way to passing over 500 yards this season, having already completed 18 of 35 attempts for 317 yards.
Head Coach Brian Newell stated, “It is no surprise to hear that Colton is doing this – he has great character on and off the field. The entire Viking team is behind Colton in this effort and will help him to raise money for this great local cause.” Coach Newell also added, “Colton is a leader who inspires others to do their best. I am proud to have the opportunity to coach such a great kid.”
You can pledge “pennies for passes” or make a tax-deductible charitable contribution by sending Colton an e-mail at qb1@cox.net, or see him at Old Redskin Park every weekend after his game.
The Vikings next home game is Saturday, October 20, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at Word of Grace Christian Athletic Fields (Old Redskin Park), in Herndon, Virginia. Practices are
held at Poplar Tree in Chantilly on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 5:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Colton Roe is a 5th grade student at Virginia Run Elementary School in Centreville, Virginia.
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If you’d like more information about “Pennies for Passes,” or to schedule an interview with Colton Roe and Coach Newell, please call Brian Newell at 703-395-5111 or e-mail him at brian.newell@cox.net.
About Food for Others:
Food for Others is the largest distributor of free food to people in need in Northern Virginia. Food for Others is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization funded in part by the Fairfax and Arlington County governments. Financial contributions to Food for Others through “Pennies for Passes” are tax-deductible. Donors will receive a tax receipt acknowledgement of their donation.
Contact: Roxanne Rice
Food for Others
Phone: 703-207-9173
Fax: 703-207-9204
E-mail: Rrice@foodforothers.org
Web site address: http://www.foodforothers.org/
