Lorenzo Alexander & Friends Throw Strikes For ACES
One of our favorite Hugbackers, Lorenzo Alexander of the Washington Redskins, is at it again…stepping up and giving back to the community where he grew up. We last visited the defensive tackle at his “Hold The Line” football camp last June; this time we caught up with him as he rallied support for his ACES Foundation with a Celebrity Bowling Party fundraiser, held last weekend at Albany Bowl in the San Francisco East Bay.
PHOTO: Lisa Cecconi
Food, drinks, good cheer, bowling balls hurled at crashing speeds…all were part of the fun on a rainy Sunday as a lively crowd gathered to support ACES, Lorenzo’s charitable organization, which provides enrichment programs for local youth. We were able to chat with the host just before the party started; not an easy feat, as Lorenzo is one of the most hands-on leaders of a pro athlete’s foundation we’ve ever seen…arriving early, setting up, making sure everyone is having fun…the man seemed to be everywhere at once.
HB: Lorenzo!
LA: Hey, glad you could make it.
HB: My pleasure. Quite a different venue this time. What made you pick bowling for an event?
LA: It’s just a really fun way to gather people together. Everyone can have a good time for a good cause…and there’s no way we could get rained out. This obviously wouldn’t have worked today if I’d scheduled a golf tournament!
HB: Is the event benefiting any special program, or just the foundation in general?
LA: It’s for our Summer Bridge program, where kids can come and get help with college prep tests like the SAT and ACT. We’ll have accredited teachers, tutors, and instructors from all different fields to help with essay writing, math, scholarship information…whatever the kids need to prepare.
HB: What else has been going on with the foundation?
LA: We had a great food drive. We partnered with St. Mary’s High School in Berkeley [Lorenzo's alma mater] and raised 5,500 pounds of food for the Alameda County Community Food Bank. We came in second to schools that are 6-7 times bigger, in terms of student population. So it was a big success.
HB: You’re also the proud new papa of a beautiful baby girl. How’s life?
LA: Awesome. Humbling. Motivating. Changes everything…it’s great.
With daughter Zoie, 7 months
PHOTO: Lisa Cecconi
HB: When are you heading back to D.C.?
LA: Tomorrow. We’re doing a breakfast for the homeroom class at St. Mary’s that produced the most food for the food drive–then we’re gone.
With guests set to arrive at any moment, Lorenzo led family, friends, and volunteers in a prayer. “God has been a rock in my life. He’s provided me the ability to change and influence others’ lives.” Moments later the guests filed in, including NFLers, coaches, trainers, and other supporters. Among them teammate Chris Wilson, defensive end for the Redskins. We grabbed him.
HB: Hey Chris, you’re a long way from home. Did you fly out just for the event?
CW: Absolutely. Wouldn’t have missed it. Lorenzo’s a great guy. He’s really shown me a lot in terms of how to be…both on and off the field. He’s always talking about ways to better himself and give back.
HB: Are you ready to bowl…what’s your strategy?
CW: My goal is to beat someone who owns their own bowling ball.
PHOTO: Lisa Cecconi
We’re not sure if Chris was able to accomplish his goal, but I did feel it was worth the risk to stand on the lane divider to get a picture of him giving it his best shot….
For more information on the ACES Foundation, visit www.lorenzoalexander.org.
