NFL star raising money for Northside Bat & Ball Club in Fort Pierce

By Nicole Rodriguez

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Local football sensation and budding NFL star Jamar Chaney is dedicating part of his off-season to help local underprivileged youth live out their own sports dreams.

The Philadelphia Eagles linebacker is teaming up with the Northside Bat & Ball Club of Fort Pierce and the Lighthouse Foundation to raise enough money to register and outfit 36 youths and teens with baseball uniforms including bats, hats, balls and gloves.

With a goal of garnering $3,600 for the cause, Chaney, along with Northside representatives, are taking to the airwaves Friday morning during a live fundraiser at 10 a.m. on local businessman Larry Lee Jr.'s weekly radio show on WFLM 104.7 The Flame and WIRA AM 1400. Lee is the founder of the Lighthouse Foundation.

Chaney, who played college football for Mississippi State, once graced the Northside field as a youth growing up in Fort Pierce and credits the club for much of his success, adding when he got the call to help them out, he jumped right on board.

"My mom did a really good job keeping me involved in activities after school," Chaney, a St. Lucie West Centennial High School graduate, said. "I played baseball with Northside for about five years as a kid, so I didn't have any time to be on the streets."

During the live broadcast Friday, followed by an autograph signing and fundraiser at the Northside field on Avenue M on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chaney hopes to not only raise money, but also raise hope.

"Ever since I was a kid playing for Northside, it was a lifelong dream to play professional sports. When it finally happened, it was a dream come true," said Chaney who dons the number 51 for the Eagles. "I want to show the kids that if I could do it and be on TV, they can too. I want to inspire them to do something positive, not something negative."

Northside President Andrea Dean, said many of the club's youth come from broken homes, and were hit hard by the recession, making the $25 registration fee and $75 uniform cost an impossibility. Dean added the club just doesn't have the heart to turn any child away, and is absorbing much of the cost to have the kids play. She added that during the tough economic times, sponsors are scarce and a small grant from the city is running dry.

"This is very important and the need is great," Dean said. "There's a lot of gang violence in the area and these kids are in the middle of all the chaos. Our program provides an outlet for these kids who would otherwise be on the streets."

Lee echoed the sentiment.

"Many kids want to play baseball, but come from situations where they can't afford it," a concerned Lee said. "It's imperative for those kids to be involved in sports and have that outlet."

IF YOU GO

What: Fundraiser featuring Fort Pierce native and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jamar Chaney

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 5

Where: Northside Bat & Ball Club field, 1306 Avenue M in Fort Pierce, behind the community center

Goal: Raise $3,600 to help buy baseball and softball uniforms for 36 youth players

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