The Rhodes Foundation

Encouraging today’s youth to reach for their dreams and providing young ambitious men and women with the tools to conquer adversity – these goals define the mission of The Kerry RHODES Foundation.

The Kerry RHODES Foundation was founded by NFL New York Jets star, Kerry Rhodes who recognized the importance of inspiring young minds to visualize goals, and the need to provide resources that enable young minds to pursue and attain these goals. Mr. Rhodes understands these goals are best achieved through well equipped educational facilities which provide their students with choices, opportunities and inspiration. For this reason, one of the primary missions of The Kerry RHODES Foundation is to provide high schools located in financially depressed areas with resources, equipment, programs and activities that will assist with the academic, athletic, and social development of their students. All students at that high school are benefitted, and all students are challenged to boldly dream.

Mr. Rhodes also understands the importance of recognizing and reaffirming the bold steps of those remarkable young men and women who dare to take their dreams even further. For this reason, the other primary mission of the Foundation is to provide financial assistance to these high schools to enable them to furnish scholarships to certain talented young men and women for the continuation of their academic careers beyond high school.

The 3rd Annual Kerry Rhodes Foundation

Celebrity Black Tie Dinner & Silent Auction Recap

On Nov 2nd, 2009, NY Jets All-Pro Safety Kerry Rhodes hosted his 3rd Annual Kerry Rhodes Foundation Fundraiser, kicking off the night with a VIP Black-Tie Dinner and Silent Auction at the 5 star restaurant, STK in NYC’s Meatpacking District. Joined by NY Jets Head coach Rex Ryan and NY Jets teammates, Darrelle Revis, Braylon Edwards, Jay Feely, Jerrico Cotchery, Vernon Gholston and many more, this party brought together many of the NFL elites, sports-industry insiders, TV personalities, NYC notables, and friends and family alike.

Hosted by award winning television Sports Anchor Dr. Marvell Scott, this year’s event included more than 200 donors and reached a program milestone with tens of thousands of dollars raised. Throughout the evening, guests dined on a delicious 4 course meal, with a premium open bar sponsored by Diageo and Heineken Lite and enjoyed special moments including a heartfelt welcome and video tribute from Grammy Award winning recording artist Cyndi Lauper, NFL Network correspondent Rich Eisen, fellow U. of Louisville Alumni and basketball star Larry O’Bannon and close friend and former teammate, Jonathan Vilma of the New Orleans Saints. Later in the evening, Kerry and teammates worked the room, spending one on one time with all sponsors and donors, giving them a full team welcome. After dinner, Miss USA, Kristen Dalton, delighted the crowd by kicking off the Silent Auction donating a special item of her own, a private one on one date! This caused quite the bidding war and started the auction off on a huge high note! Next Kerry and Dr. Marvell Scott invited the attendees and sponsors to the luxe silent auction suite where they were encouraged to bid on some amazing, one of a kind auction items such as sports memorabilia, luxurious vacation getaways, concert tickets and more, valued at tens of thousands of dollars. The event concluded with a special performance by Grammy Award winner John Legend’s HomeSchool Records Recording artist Vaughn Anthony. Entertainment throughout the night was provided by DJ Funky Drummer on the 1’s and 2’s!

In the end, everyone had an amazing time and Kerry would like to extend a personal thank-you to all his friends, family and teammates for coming out and helping to make the night truly a one-of-a-kind experience!

Please have a look at all event pictures from photographer Shareif Ziyadat at: www.gettyimages.com

Special Thanks to Event Sponsors : Cuttita Law, Diageo, Heineken, Ketel One Vodka, Merrill Lynch, Moddell’s, NY Correctional Officers Benevolent Association, Pamela James Jewelry, Starwood Preferred Guest, Under Armour.

Celebrity Guests Included: Braylon Edwards, Darrelle Revis, Demarco Morgan, Egypt, Jerricho Cotchery, Kwame Jackson, Mike Hill, Miss USA Kristen Dalton, Rex Ryan, Teri Woods, Tyson Beckford, Sinorice Moss, Vaughn Anthony, Vernon Gholston and many more!

Media Coverage: NFL Network, NY Jets.com

VIP Gifting by: Atlantic Records, Beats by Dre, Phyto, Sean John, US Virgin Island Tourism and Under Armour.

ABOUT THE KERRY RHODES FOUNDATION

The Kerry RHODES Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by NFL New York Jets star Kerry Rhodes. Kerry recognized the importance of inspiring young minds to visualize goals, and the need to provide resources that enable these same young minds to pursue and attain these goals. Mr. Rhodes understands these goals are best achieved through well equipped educational facilities which provide their students with choices, opportunities and inspiration. For this reason, one of the primary missions of the Foundation is to provide high schools located in financially depressed areas with resources, equipment, programs and activities that will assist with the academic, athletic, and social development of their students.

Additionally, Mr. Rhodes understands the importance of acknowledging the bold steps of those remarkable young men and women who dare to take their dreams even further. For this reason, the other primary mission of the Foundation is to provide financial assistance to these high schools to enable them to furnish scholarships to certain talented young men and women for the continuation of their academic careers beyond high school.

Carrie “CC” Carnie | Team Rhodes | 917-670-0422| CCarnie@conversionsande.com

Tamiko Thomas | Team Rhodes | 571-215-3157 | PR@KerryRhodes.com

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For more information on The Kerry RHODES Foundation, please email: RHODESfoundation@kerryrhodes.com