Vick establishes non-profit organization for underprivileged youth
June 16, 2006

Atlanta Falcons quarterback and Newport News, VA native Michael Vick, along with his brother Marcus Vick and mother Brenda Vick Boddie, held a press conference today to announce the formation of The Vick Foundation, a non-profit organization that will support at-risk youth and the after school programs that serve them in the Metro Atlanta and Hampton Roads areas.

The announcement was held just before the start of the foundation's first fundraiser, The Michael Vick Golf Classic. The inaugural event was held at the prestigious Kingsmill Golf Course in partnership with The Virginia Tech Alumni Association Tidewater Chapter, and netted more than $80,000 for charity.

"My brother and I went to the Boys & Girls Club after school when we were growing up and it kept us off the streets and helped us focus on achieving our dreams," said Michael. "We want to make sure at-risk kids today have access to the same types of mentoring, tutoring and sports programming that helped us."

The Vick Foundation will provide grants to non-profit organizations that operate innovative, quality after-school programs for youth. It will also develop partnerships and programs that help disadvantaged youth develop their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. The foundation's efforts will primarily target middle-school-aged youth.

"When we were growing up, our family did not have much money and we struggled," said Marcus. "Now that we're in a better position, we believe it's our responsibility to give back and help kids who are in need."

Michael, along with his mother, will lead The Vick Foundation Board of Directors. Other board members include his brother Marcus; James "Poo" Johnson, director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Hampton Roads and childhood mentor of both Vick brothers; Tommy Reamon, Michael's high school football coach and current coach at Gloucester High School; Karen Pierce, a retired Hampton Roads middle school teacher who taught Michael; and Stephanie Dickens, Vice President of Retail Lending at Old Point Bank in Hampton, Va. Sisters Christina Vick and Courtney Boddie will also participate.

The Vick Foundation is the next step in the evolution of the Vick family's philanthropic endeavors. They have been quietly active in their community for several years, donating toys, clothing and food during the holidays to families in the neighborhood where Michael and Marcus grew up. They have also contributed thousands of dollars to numerous charitable causes, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Hampton Roads and Metro Atlanta, "My Sister's House" Shelter for Women and Children, and The Carrie Steele-Pitts Children's Home, just to name a few. In 2003, Michael was named to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Hall of Fame.