Lito catches up with Super Bowl champ and Eagles legend Malcolm Jenkins at his Fantasy Blitz event.
Empowering Camden: American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water Contribute $30,000 to The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation
In a powerful collaboration dedicated to making a positive impact, the American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water have joined forces to contribute $30,000 to The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. This significant donation aims to combat food insecurity in the City of Camden, reflecting a shared commitment to community well-being and inclusivity.
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization associated with American Water, has provided $25,000, while New Jersey American Water has generously contributed an additional $5,000. This substantial support bolsters The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation's flagship community outreach event, Get Ready Fest®.
Get Ready Fest® stands as a beacon of awareness for food insecurity and addresses various challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Families attending the event gain access to crucial resources spanning education, career readiness, housing, financial literacy, health and wellness, senior and veteran services, as well as COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. A highlight of the fest is the TMJF Pop-up Grocery store, ensuring families leave with 40 pounds of food—enough to sustain them for up to 10 days.
Carrie Williams, President of the American Water Charitable Foundation, expresses enthusiasm for the partnership with Malcolm Jenkins and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. She emphasizes the foundation's strong commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity, echoing the shared passion for making a positive impact on communities served by American Water.
Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, President and CEO of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, extends heartfelt gratitude for the generosity of the American Water Charitable Foundation and New Jersey American Water. She highlights the significance of such contributions during challenging times when families are juggling the additional costs of school supplies, clothing, gas, and putting food on the table.
Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water, echoes this sentiment, expressing delight in the partnership with The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation. He underscores their commitment to supporting organizations that enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve.
In a city where 65% of families experience hunger and nearly 37% live below the poverty line, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation has already made a substantial impact by serving over 10,000 families—equating to approximately 40,000 individuals. The recent contribution will undoubtedly further these efforts, making a meaningful difference in the ongoing fight against food insecurity in Camden.
What sets this collaboration apart is not just the financial support but also the active involvement of employees from both American Water and New Jersey American Water. Their hands-on participation in packing boxes, distributing food, and more exemplifies a genuine dedication to community outreach and improving the lives of those in need.
As the contributions flow into Camden, the collective efforts of the American Water Charitable Foundation, New Jersey American Water, and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation stand as a testament to the positive change that can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared vision of creating brighter, more equitable futures for our communities.
Get Ready Fest - Brings 800 Camden families wellness resources, food and essentials.
"We thought it was very important (to come to Camden)," he said. "It's that city that's right there on the other side of the bridge that you forget about, but me being from Jersey, we wanted to do something in New Jersey specifically and Camden just made sense to us. Despite the rain, which Antioch pastor John Parker joked "baptized us all," about 800 families turned out for boxes of food, toiletries, books, school uniforms and supplies, and help with an array of social services.
Each family identified by Antioch Baptist Church received:
- One 25-pound box of nonperishable food items
- One 15-pound box of personal-care items
- One box of AVON products
- Books from Disney Publishing Worldwide
- Frito-Lay snacks
- PepsiCo beverages
- Life Original Cereal
- Quaker Standard Oats
- Chewy Granola Bars
- Variety of Campbell Soup products
In addition to providing enough food and daily essentials, the Get Ready Fest TM event offers an array of health-related services and information through the support of various community resource partners. These services include health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, etc., education and social service information relating to GED, job training, and senior and veteran support services. Additionally, the event includes a children’s resource area that provides services, children’s books, school supplies, haircuts, face painting, and snacks.
Save the Date - Blitz, Bow-Ties & Bourbon Fundraiser
Mark your calendar to join us for an upscale evening at the 5th annual ‘Blitz, Bow-Ties, & Bourbon’ fundraiser in the City of Brotherly Love!Delectable tastings from Philadelphia’s top chefs and restaurants complimented with Premium spirits will set the mood as we raise funds to support programs and initiatives of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity with a mission to effectuate positive change in the lives of youth in underserved communities. Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Champion, Malcolm Jenkins and his teammates will represent the home team in our mission to uplift Philadelphia’s young people. Will you join us?SAVE THE DATE - Monday, September 10, 2018; 6:30pmEST - 10:00pmEST. MORE DETAILS TO COME!
Malcolm Jenkins maintains strong commitment to New Orleans' youth
Malcolm Jenkins' last trip to New Orleans was in the aftermath of violence.He stood at a podium to deliver a tribute for Will Smith at the funeral of his former New Orleans Saints teammate, Ohio State brother and good friend. It was moving. It was heartfelt. It was somber.The tragic ending is one more reason why Jenkins hasn't surrendered on his mission for The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation in New Orleans."Violence and crime happen every single day (in New Orleans)," Jenkins told me earlier this week. "Sometimes it takes those highly visible figures or something to make some realize what's happening every single day. It's really affecting our youth. It's not just adults dealing with this. It's our teenagers. "A lot of it is because they don't know they have other options. They've never seen any other options or any other ways to do things." Jenkins started the charity in 2010 while with the Saints to help supply New Orleans' youth with an avenue away from potential crime and violence. He wanted a route for those who wouldn't have dreamed about college to receive the necessary skills to make it there.
Jenkins will give another speech in New Orleans at Dillard on Thursday evening. This one will be more about hope and triumph. This one will be a victory speech over crime and violence.Through the foundation's Project REWARDS program and in collaboration with College Track New Orleans, Jenkins will award a round of scholarships for the fifth consecutive year to a selection of graduating seniors. It's the third round of scholarships doled out since Jenkins signed with Philadelphia in 2014."Obviously when I left New Orleans, I wanted to make sure everything stayed in tact," Jenkins said. "I don't see that changing. We started in New Orleans because we saw that there was a need. Just because I leave doesn't mean that the need leaves. So it's important for us to stay in the community and continue to help."It's a city that I love and that's supported me. I just try to do my part to give back."Someone like Troy Simon is exactly why Jenkins continues his efforts in earnest.Simon also will be a keynote speaker with Jenkins at Thursday's event. Simon was a member of the first group to receive a scholarship in 2012.Simon himself sometimes wonders how he's advanced this far.He didn't learn to read until he was an early teenager. As First Lady Michelle Obama described, Simon "would regularly cut school because the other students would tease him. When he did attend, he'd shove desks, start fights -- anything to get him out of class." Simon didn't want others knowing he couldn't read.Why does the First Lady know Simon's story? Read full article>>>
'Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise’ Feeds 135 Philadelphia Families
It was a scene of hustle and holiday cheer as Philadelphia Eagles Free Safety Malcolm Jenkins and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) provided holiday meal baskets for 135 Philadelphia families at the Foundation’s Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise.Taking place in collaboration with Mayor Michael A. Nutter’s Annual Holiday Event, hosted in partnership with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the inaugural event provided turkeys, provided by Giant Food Store, and baskets with food inclusive of everything needed to prepare a traditional holiday meal. Reflective of the jersey number (27) that Jenkins wears on the field, the Foundation engaged 27 area churches and organizations to each select five families in need of the festive blessing, before distributing the baskets to their communities.In addition to handing out dinner baskets, TMJF, the Mayor’s Office, the FOP and special guests that included 6abc’s Sharrie Williams and award-winning trombonist Jeff Bradshaw, welcomed an additional 27 families with children under the age of 12 and provided lunch before surprising each child with a bag of toys.“Sometimes the families who need us most aren’t easy to reach,” said Jenkins. “With community groups, the Mayor’s office, and the Fraternal Order of Police at our side, we reached hundreds of families who might have been passed over this holiday season.”Annually, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation’s Holiday Dinner Basket Surprise has served 135 families in New Orleans since 2011. Striving to make a sustainable impact on young people and their families in every city in which Malcolm Jenkins has lived, played, and attended school, the effort has now expanded to Philadelphia.
Malcolm Jenkins Foundation Awards Scholarships to NOLA Youth
The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation recognized high school seniors for their commitment to academic excellence, leadership and community through its Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S. program that teams up with the Nationally acclaimed College Track Program. Twelve (12) students each received $1,000 scholarships, ($12,000) to start them on their way toward financing their college education.The 2015 Project R.E.W.A.R.D.S scholarship winners marks the fourth year that The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation has helped deserving youth pursue their higher educational aspirations at an accredited college or university of their choice.
Click here to view photos by KatRamPhotography2015 Malcolm Jenkins Scholars:
High Academic AchievementYolanda AndradeDiamond LandryDewey SampsonBianca AncarAlonzo BoothJeremiah WallaceMost ImprovedImani PittmanJordan FlemingOvercoming the OddsTia CageRobert BurnsideLauren BaumanOlivia Douglas
Partnership to deliver Baskets of Hope to Children at St. Chris
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The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, Omega Psi Phi, and Feed the Children Help 800 Families at Philly’s “Get Ready Fest™”
It was a sea of purple as dozens of brothers of Omega Psi Phi from all over the country assisted nearly 3000 people with their bags, boxes, and shopping carts through the various stations and to their vehicles. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the first international fraternal organization to be founded on the campus of a historically black college. “As a longtime supporter of Feed the Children, we’ll have hundreds of volunteers at this important event,” said Dr. Andrew Ray, Grand Basileus, Omega Psi Phi. “It is part of our ongoing commitment to make a long-term impact on our community,” he added. The founding principles of Omega Psi Phi fraternity are manhood, perseverance, uplift and scholarship.