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Last additions - The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation |
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A Make-A-Wish Day to remember1423 views“The day Brandon got to meet the Steelers, Ben yelled out ‘Make-A-Wish’ and was the first one to run right up to Brandon on the field as soon as the horn sounded that practice was overâ€, said Mr. Brawdy. “Then it was on…the whole team surrounded him like he was a rock star to sign his football! They stayed out there until he got to meet all of the players that were there.â€Apr 11, 2013
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A Make-A-Wish Day to remember1355 viewsMore from Brandon's father:
The story behind the picture I sent of Ben reaching out to shake my wife’s hand with the huge grin on Bran’s face is one I will always remember.
After Ben yelled out make ‘Make-A-Wish’, he ran towards Bran and about five feet before he got to him, he turned towards my wife and acted like the wish was for her. Everyone that was with us cracked up laughing – it immediately put everyone at ease!
Ben also knew that Brett Keisel was one of Bran’s favorite players, so Ben was introducing himself to our family as Brett!
We just couldn’t believe how much time Ben and the Steelers spent making sure Bran had a great time.
In recent weeks Brandon’s cancer has returned with a vengeance and there is no way of stopping it now.
Brandon has battled this like a warrior for a year and a half, and his battle is coming to its final stage.
Last night (April 10, 2013) we jumped up with over 600 likes on Brandon's Facebook page thanks to the work of Ben, Erin, and Steeler Nation! I asked for a little help, and they got me a huge response! This is why I have been a Steeler fan for over 40 years! Apr 11, 2013
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A Make-A-Wish Day to remember1369 viewsOne of the best moments of the day for Brandon was meeting his favorite player, Brett Keisel. He also posed for photos with Ben, Brett, Antonio Brown, Coach Tomlin, and smiled in several group shots with the Steelers defense!Apr 11, 2013
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Febuary 21, 2013 - Millersville PD's TOP DOG!1793 views“I would just like to keep everyone informed about Pito. Pito is the K9 dog that was given to us by The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. Since Pito has been on the street, he has made nine ‘small’ hits on drugs and one very large one on Tuesday night. Pito has only been on the streets for about two months since training. As the Chief of Police, I can’t thank The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation enough for all they have done for us. Please thank Mr. Roethlisberger for us, and for helping those who help others.†- Chief Ronnie Williams, Millersville Police Department, in an email to the website.
“It’s been a great experience working with him.†– Officer Hurst, about his new partner.
That one “very large†hit that Chief Williams referenced in his email was the subject of a story from the WKRN-Channel 2 News in Nashville on February 21, 2013:
The K9 donated by football star Ben Roethlisberger’s foundation last year is now trained and on the streets, helping the Millersville Police Department sniff out crime.
Pito, the 2-year-old German Shepherd, helped officer George Hurst with what seemed like a normal traffic stop on Interstate 65 Tuesday night.
Hurst pulled over a rental car that had no rear lights and discovered the driver had no license.
Pito sniffed around the car and alerted on something at the driver’s door.
The driver then admitted to having marijuana in possession.
When Hurst led Pito around the rest of the car, he alerted once again at the trunk.
Officer Hurst then discovered $30,500 in cash hidden under a tire.
Police believe the cash was a part of a drug deal that was either about to go down or had just been completed, but the driver and passenger of the rental vehicle said they did not know where it came from.
Since it was not claimed, the cash was confiscated and will now go into the Millersville drug fund to help buy new equipment.
Feb 22, 2013
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"Shadow" - Findlay Ohio Police Department1445 viewsNovember 19, 2012:
The Findlay Police Department's latest tool for sniffing out drugs, Shadow, doubles as another way for officers to connect with city residents.
Paid for entirely by a grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, Shadow recently joined the department as its drug-detecting canine. Shadow and his handler, Officer Chad McMonigal, inspect vehicles for illegal drugs, and meet citizens in an effort to prevent crime.
Shadow, a 15-month-old male service dog from the country of Holland, replaces Spike, who retired from the department on Sept. 1. McMonigal and Shadow trained together in Fremont for six weeks in September and October.
He's a friendly animal who enjoys attention, McMonigal said.
"Every dog there had different drives, characteristic traits," McMonigal said.
McMonigal described Shadow as the "perfect tool" for both drug work and bridging the divide with those who feel reluctant to meet police.
"They see he's so welcoming and it changes their attitude right away," he said.
More: http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2012/Nov/09/ar_news_110912_story2.asp?d=110912_story2,2012,Nov,09&c=n
*Thank you to Officer McMonigal!
Photo: Jena Stearns
Nov 20, 2012
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October 26, 2012 - Make-A-Wish receives check for $25,0001328 viewsThe Ben Roethlisberger Foundation donated $25,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation! That money will allow Make-A-Wish to grant wishes to six children!
Ben presented the check to Judith Stone (pictured with Ben and his father, Ken), President and CEO of Make-A-Wish during an impromptu press conference this afternoon after practice.
The money was raised during The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament in July.
For the past several years, Ben has devoted his time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation because of his passion to help children.
“It’s no secret how much the kids mean to me. When someone has a wish and they want to spend it with the Steelers that touches you and is special. For us to be able to do this and be able to have six kid’s wishes come true is awesome. Being there to meet them, shake their hand, sign an autograph means a lot to me.†– Ben.
Photo: Steelers
Video of the press conference:
http://www.steelers.com/video-and-audio/videos/Ben-Roethlisberger-Donates-To-Make-A-Wish/d5c8ea5f-7ad2-4aa7-8b2a-0807d231ad30Oct 26, 2012
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October 26, 2012 - Make-A-Wish receives check for $25,0001268 viewsBen gets a kiss from Judith Stone, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish during an impromptu press conference to hand over the check. The money was raised during The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament in July.
Screen cap: Steelers
Video of the press conference:
http://www.steelers.com/video-and-audio/videos/Ben-Roethlisberger-Donates-To-Make-A-Wish/d5c8ea5f-7ad2-4aa7-8b2a-0807d231ad30
Photo: SteelersOct 26, 2012
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Logen - Future K91677 views Last year, on September 7th, 2011, the first grant of the NFL season was awarded to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, in Rockville, Maryland.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office used the grant to purchase four “K9 Storm†bullet proof vests, to help protect the department’s four highly specialized canine teams.
All members of the Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit are trained as dual purpose K9s for the detection of explosives as well as patrol functions. The grant added another level of safety for the canines while they handle their duties both in and around the Montgomery County area, protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Maryland and surrounding states.
Sheriff Darren M. Popkin said at the time that “the grant funds will provide our dogs with vests that protect them from attacks with firearms and knifes while engaged in their duties.â€
A year later, the Sheriff’s Office sent an email to thank Ben once again for the grant:
“The Montgomery County (MD) Sheriffs Office wanted to again thank Ben Roethlisberger and bigben7.com for the support you have shown our office in the past. Last year we were able to purchase ballistic vests for all of our K9s because of your support.†– Deputy Sheriff James Johnson, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
The department also sent photos and a story about “Logenâ€, their K9-to-be (he’s got a little growin’ up to do first!)!
Little Logen, a pure bred German Shepherd Pup, was born on April 23, 2012. His father “Leon†is a working Police dog in Maryland ,and his mother “Echo†has bred other puppies that have become successful Police and Search and Rescue dogs.
Once he is trained, Logen will be wearing a “K9 Storm†bullet proof vest and will be able to track humans and locate evidence….but first he has to get big enough to jump into the back of a police vehicle unassisted!
*Thank you to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Sheriff James Johnson!Oct 26, 2012
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October 5, 2012 - Make-A-Wish: Alex Wagner1344 viewsOn October 5, 2012, Alex Wagner couldn’t stop smiling, and his parents even laughed at the fact that he was actually giddy, something out of character for the normally serious 14-year old.
But Wagner had good reason for being that way. What kid wouldn’t be smiling if they were a guest at Steelers’ practice and getting ready to meet the team?
Wagner, who has hypothalmic disorder, was at practice courtesy of the team and Make-A-Wish Foundation and will attend Sunday’s game against the Eagles at Heinz Field.
“There is nothing as cool as getting this close to them,†said Wagner. “It’s hard to explain. It’s hard to believe. I never expected this at all, not even a little bit. I never thought I would be able to do anything like this, but apparently it can happen.â€
– From an article by Teresa Varley, Steelers.com
http://blog.steelers.com/2012/10/05/nothing-but-smiles-for-this-young-fan/Oct 06, 2012
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October 5, 2012 - Make-A-Wish: Alex Wagner1326 viewsWhen practice ended, things got even better as the players all made their way over to Wagner, talking to him, posing for pictures and signing autographs. Ben Roethlisberger took him into the locker room, and then off to his production meeting with Fox Sports where he met Troy Aikman, who is in town for the game.
“Alex loves football,†said his mom Terry Wagner. “He can’t play because of his medical condition, but he loves it more than anything in the world. This is his dream come true. It makes us so happy to see him like this.
“Since we knew this was happening, he has never been happier. He is a serious kid and this has brought the joy out of him.â€
- From an article by Teresa Varley, Steelers.com
http://blog.steelers.com/2012/10/05/nothing-but-smiles-for-this-young-fan/Oct 06, 2012
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August 18, 2012 - Make-A-Wish: Christopher Naegeli 1498 views13-year old Christopher Naegeli watched the Steelers morning practice at training camp, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger came behind him, then knelt down beside him and started talking football.
The teenager who a few minutes earlier was joking with his mom and sister, got quiet and shy, meeting his hero for the first time. But after a few minutes Naegeli, who has spina bifida and came to camp through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, warmed up not just to Roethlisberger but also to Coach Mike Tomlin, and the rest of the players who came over to meet him, sign his football and joke around.
“It means a lot,†said his mother, Barbara Naegeli. “This is something he normally wouldn’t ever get to do. He likes watching football, but because of his wheelchair he will never be able to play. It’s great for him to get up close with the players.â€
And it was easy to see the players, including Roethlisberger whose foundation helps the Make-A-Wish Foundation, loved it as well.
“I think it’s awesome the players like to do it and love spending time with the kids,†said Naegeli.
– From an article by Teresa Varley, Steelers.com
http://blog.steelers.com/2012/08/18/wishes-really-do-come-true/Oct 06, 2012
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From one foundation to another!1453 viewsThe 6th Annual Alby Oxenreiter Golf Classic for the Multiple Sclerosis Service Society division of UCP/CLASS was held on Monday, August 6, 2012 at the Chartiers Country Club.
Mr. Oxenreiter is the Sports Director for WPXI-TV, and the main sports anchor for Channel 11 News. He is the host for this annual day of golfing with proceeds raised helping local people living with Multiple Sclerosis and to provide them with services through the Multiple Sclerosis Service Society.
One of the sponsors of the event is The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. Mr. Oxenreiter wanted to recognize Ben for his support:
“Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and his foundation have never wavered in their support of what we do. Thanks Ben!â€
You can learn more about his annual tournament:
http://www.ucpclass.org/how-you-can-help/special-events/alby-oxenreiter-golf-classic-multiple-sclerosis
*Thank you to Mr. Oxenreiter for the photo!Aug 11, 2012
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