Pictured here with Kevin Everett's wife, Wiande
FOR MORE ON THE KEVIN EVERETT FOUNDATION CLICK HERE!
2 of the most humid days of the year here in Buffalo, NY! How do southerners do it? LOL..
I had the honor to be a part of something incredible. The "Kevin Everett Golf Classic".
A two day event to raise funds for the spinal cord injury foundation that Kevin Everett founded after his initially paralyzing collision on the football field.
Kevin is truly an incredible human being who's triumph proves that the human spirit is stronger than we may ever know! A once paralyzed player now walks with a mission and purpose to help and guide others.
During his rehab, he realized how expensive this injury is and decided to start a foundation to help those in need. You see, his funds are not going to be spent on research. His funds are going to be spent to help those with the injury right now! Those who need that wheelchair, ramp on their home, the wheelchair vans and the list goes on and on.
When sustaining an injury, our lives are turned upside down and we are left to fight against all odds. I know this all too personally from my own 2 car crashes! Unfortunately, when we endure something like this, the monetary end of it places such an overwhelming amount of stress that it will take away from our mental ability to fight back. Thanks to Mr. Kevin Everett, he is going to help those families in need, he will help take that financial stress off and also share his story of inspiration to truly motivate others mentally in overcoming this disability! Kevin is a gift to others and I only wish that I had someone like this enter my life while trying to overcome such a tremendous tragedy as that 2nd brain injury!
(My experience at the fundraiser is below the explanation of Kevin's Story)
Who is Kevin Everett, #85??
Kevin is a young man who played in the NFL. Drafted by the Buffalo Bills, Kevin played for approx. 1 year when the unthinkable happened. Out on the field, the tight-end collided heads with Denver Broncos Hixon and his body became paralyzed in front of a live crowd of 75,000 + AND millions via Live TV. The ever popular "thumbs up" was not an option for Kevin and millions shed tears as they watched the taillights of the ambulance take his paralyzed body away.
Kevin now walks! With the fight of his strong human spirit, his continual belief in the Lord above and the power of his family surrounding him, he is now here as the founder of the Kevin Everett Spinal Cord Injury Foundation!
Born in 82 from TX, graduated from Florida U, Drafted by the NFL in 2005, September 2007 (wk. 1 of the season) Kevin becomes paralyzed- an injury that would change his life and his families life forever!
DR. CAPPUCCINO DESCRIBED: the injury to
THE GOLF CLASSIC AND 12th Man Tailgate /BBQ:
When the 1st day of the the event arrived, it was the 12th Man Tailgate and BBQ. Doug and I both attended and had a phenomenal time! We arrived at 3:30 pm and began the day by greeting guests at the entrance. We then traveled the country club to view the hundreds of auction/raffle items, which I may add were amazing! I wanted them all! The bbq was delicious and so was Perry's Ice Cream..LOL..
Then we were able to mingle and that was another great experience.
We met and enjoyed the company of:
- Jon Dorenbos -- Current Eagles and Former Bills Long-Snapper & "Magician to the NFL" Jon was so FUN! What an outgoing and down to earth guy. He had Doug and I cracking up and his Magic is truly outstanding! This is a guy that you just say, wow, I'd love to stay friends with that guy! I was given the opportunity to call the LIVE Auction with Jon and be a participant in his magic.
- Butch Roll --Former Buffalo Bill Tight End. He was so nice! It was funny b/c I was putting my my make up and crown on and Butch approaches me asking if he could take a photo with me. He was like, I have never met a beauty queen before! LOL...how cute!
- AJ Verel -- Pro Martial Arts Hall of Fame & actor. AJ and his date were so so sweet and I truly enjoyed meeting them! So down to earth and sweet.
- "Baby" Joe Mesi - Former Heavyweight Boxer, Current NY Senate Candidate. We have been friends with Joe for at least 4 years now. He is one of the most down to earth, relaxed and goal oriented individuals I have met. It was great to run into Joe and Michelle at the event!
- Mayor Byron Brown - Another person that Doug and I are very familiar with outside of the fundraiser
- Kevin Everett's mother (Patricia) and his sisters-- His mother is full of life! I love this woman! She approached me saying she needed a picture with me for her wall of fame!!!
DAY 2- The Golf Classic
Upon arriving, Kevin's mother (patricia) and sisters were getting out of their shuttle. I said hello and was greeted by all of them with great big hugs and good mornings! HOW SWEET!
I went off to eat lunch in the club with some of the sponsors. I actually sat with the DirectBuy sponsors and had a great time!
When the golfers left, I stayed inside with Wiande, Kevin's wife and Terry from Showcase Sports. I actually got to speak with Wiande and truly enjoyed every minute that I got to know her. Kevin joined us after finishing his media interviews and seeing them together was nothing but inspirational!
Around 1:45, Kevin, Wiande, Bruce from Showcase Sports and I got on a Golf Cart and traveled to each hole on the golf course. I was honored to be a part of this! Kevin gave every golfer an autographed commemorative football! We took pictures with each group and even stopped for some amazing stuffed shells out on the course.
I have been apart of so many golf fundraisers and have NEVER seen the host go out onto the golf course and hand deliver a gift to each person! The look on each of their faces was priceless and they all spoke volumes of their experience with this fundraiser.
In the end, I had so many people come up to me and praise Showcase Sports for their amazing job organizing and running this event. They commented that every fundraiser in their first year has a few hiccups here and there BUT they each said that this was the first time they have experienced a "first annual" that was run so smoothly.
THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THE NASTY HUMIDITY!! LOL!! Each day I felt like a melted Popsicle and even though water was everywhere, I could only drink so much. I felt so nasty at the end of each day - sticky and all....LOL! It took me a full day of recovery as I was feeling pretty sick. On the 4th of July I was wearing a coat & had the heater on to watch the fireworks and on the 6th and 7th for this event - It was 95 degrees and 100% humidity! Something my body was not ready for! I was a melted "beauty queen" LOL...
In the end, I was able to met so many amazing people. I had the honor of being with Kevin and His Wife Wiande as we delivered gifts to each participant. I was so grateful to have met his mother and sisters and thank everyone for making me feel like family!
God Bless all who attended and I can't wait to see each and every one of you next year!
If you ever need inspiration - read the Kevin Everett Story - Standing Tall
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