This is the time of year where Buckeye Legends are besieged with requests to help raise money for charities by attending golf tournaments and social events. This year has been no different, although there are far more requests then there were ten…twenty years ago. There are more than 80 golf tournaments alone in Central Ohio and probably about the same amount of other events. They’re looking for the celebs to attract the general public to their event to not only raise money but also increase public awareness for their cause or disease.

Back in the 70’s and 80’s Coach Hayes and Coach Bruce urged their players to get involved in the community by participating in these events. Both these coaches would pick players every week to join them in visiting Children’s Hospital and signing autographs for the patients. Many of these players continued their visits, and some still do to this day. There are many stories of these visits but the bottom line was that it was just as important for the athletes as it was for the patients.

In the last few years, I have witnessed a resurgence in athletes and former athletes not only getting involved in their favorite charities but also quite a few have either started their own organizations to help a cause or taking leadership roles with some of the bigger events in town. Just to name a few:

  • Mike Vrabel, Ryan Miller and teammates started the “2nd and 7 Foundation” for literacy;
  • William White runs a golf tourney for Columbus Recreation and Parks called P.L.A.Y;
  • Mike Furrey just had a tourney for Lutheran Family Services;
  • a big group of athletes started the Champion’s for Children at Children’s Hospital (this will become part of BuckeyeLegends.com)

and there are many more.

If you go to any fundraising event in town, you will find many athletes in attendance. Also Coach Tressel has reinstituted priority for the current Buckeyes to get out into the community and he has done it by example with his multiple charitable endeavors.

I want to applaud all of those that have given back to their community and encourage anyone who wants to get involved to just do it. If you need a place to start, contact BuckeyeLegends.com and they can help you get started. There are plenty of worthy causes out there and to find the one that fits you is easy. You may have an experience with a disease or cause, or you may just have a passion for one or the other.

It’s not only the people you help that get the greatest rewards from your efforts. You will find that the person that gets the greatest from your effort…..is YOU!

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