There's nothing like boozing it up for a good cause. Defensive tackle Michael Bennett organized the charity event Champs & Cocktails For A Cause this week. The fundraiser party raised $35K for Bennett's organization to fight obesity. Just weeks after the Super Bowl champion Seahawks paid a visit to the White House to be honored by President Obama, Bennett's cause would no doubt meet with approval with First Lady Michelle Obama, whose own "Let's Move" campaign has already worked with other members of the Seahawks team.
In a press release a few weeks ago, Bennett asked fans to come donate money to OCEAN to help them "sack obesity" (via CBS Seattle):
"Bennett's charity event, Champs & Cocktails For A Cause, will benefit OCEAN - a program founded by Bennett (led by Hawaii Optimum Performance and St. Louis School) that aims to 'fight obesity through community, education, activity and nutrition.' The OCEAN camp has previously been hosted in Hawaii, but Bennett hopes to bring the camp to Washington state, and later, to his native Texas."
The event was an unqualified success. Wine was flowing, music was playing and professional athletes were using their fame to do some good (via TMZ):
"The gang raised more than $35k at the event ... signing autographs and hanging with fans. Bennett even took over server duties ... grabbing bottles of wine and pouring for some of the VIP guests who paid $300 per ticket.
"A spokesperson for the event tells TMZ Sports, 'Bennett was the perfect host, mingling with everyone in the crowd, and of course helping out with some of the service by pouring wine for donors -- and even taking over the DJ booth at one point!'"
Obesity is an epidemic in America and it's admirable to see athletes engaging with children, teaching them early and often about the importance of living well. Well done, Seahawks. With the NFL, NBA and the White House on the job, maybe we can start to see real wholesale change in America's youth.
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