Creator and Host of the six-time Emmy Award winning “Sport Science” and author of the New York Times Best Seller “The Perfection Point”, John Brenkus, and thirteen-time Pro Bowl, two-time Super Bowl Champion and Super Bowl MVP, Ray Lewis, have announced that the Ray Of Hope Foundation will be holding a kick-off fundraising event on Monday, September 18th at SignatureFD Headquarters in Atlanta, GA.
The financial planning corporation, SignatureFD and SignaturePRO, whose purpose is to help empower athletes to live with purpose and confidence in their relationships and actions, has partnered up with the Ray of Hope Foundation for the event.
Longtime friends Brenkus and Lewis bonded over one common principle: sending positive energy to those in need. It all started one day when Brenkus asked Lewis to record a short encouraging video for a friend who was fighting stage 4 brain cancer. The very next day, a friend of Brenkus asked him to record a short, uplifting video for a high school athlete who was paralyzed in a football accident. Six months after receiving the personalized videos, both have made incredible strides in recovery.
The uplifting video requests for both Lewis and Brenkus kept coming. The simple favor soon became a passion and the positive energy began to perpetuate itself. Together these two positive, inspiring men started The Ray of Hope Foundation, an organization built on the premise of bringing hope to those in need via uplifting personalized video messages.
The roster of celebrities who have already signed up to send out personalized, inspirational videos to those in dire need include: Olympic champions Michael Phelps, Summer Sanders and Apolo Orno; former NFL athletes Trent Dilfer, Lewis Howes, Takeo Spikes, Merril Hoge, and Eddie George; Musical Artist Joey McIntyre; Comedians Adam Carolla and Bill Engvall; Actors Randy Couture and Bryan Callen; Sportscaster Ernie Johnson; CEOs Daymond John and Phyllis Newhouse…and many others.
Brenkus, Host of “The Brink of Midnight Podcast,” and Lewis, co-Host of “The Tackling Life Podcast,” will hold a joint, live podcast where they will interview the original “Ray of Hope” recipients. The event will also feature a Silent Auction including a remarkable G2G Collection vacation, a live painting by Jared Emerson, trips to Park City, UT and Cabo San Lucas courtesy of the Montage, and many more items. Musical guest Eric Dodd from Nashville, and Brenkus’ own band “Brink of Midnight” which he formed with his wife, Lizzie Brenkus will perform. The gathering will also feature prime cocktails, authentic Atlanta eats.
Notable guests in attendance include Super Bowl champions and New York Giants Safeties Deon Grant and James Butler; Jarius Wynn from the Green Bay Packers; former NFL stars Michael Jenkins, Terance Mathis, Ovie Mughelli, Adrian Clayborn, and Trevor Knight; former Georgia Bulldogs turned NFLers Rennie Curran, Fernando Velasco, and Drew Butler; Auburn War Eagle, Jason Campbell and Hannibal Navies.
The list continues with more pro athletes like Sherrod Martin, Stevie Baggs, Jr., Ryan McNeil, and Vonnie Holiday; former #1 pick in the Major League Baseball draft and Clemson legend Kris Benson; Longtime college hoops Coach Al Skinner; Audio Adrenaline frontman Adam Agee, and a pack of other music, sports and business luminaries.
For more information about Ray of Hope Foundation, click here.
