Project C.H.U.C.K. Reading Program
PITTSBURGH STEELERS QB & NFLPA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER CHARLIE BATCH
ONE OF FIVE NFLPA BYRON “WHIZZER” WHITE AWARD FINALISTS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
SYNOPSIS OF 2012 BATCH FOUNDATION EVENTS & PROGRAMS IN MEDIA CLIPS
For Immediate Release
January 29, 2013
Pittsburgh, PA – Steelers QB & NFLPA Executive Board Member Charlie Batch has been named one of five finalists for the Byron “Whizzer” White Award, following his 15th season in the NFL. Every year, the NFL Players Association recognizes one of its members with the honor, which recognizes players who go above and beyond to perform community service in their team cities and hometowns.
The award is the highest honor the NFLPA can bestow on a player, and is named for Supreme Court Justice Byron “Whizzer” White, the scholar, athlete, patriot, humanitarian and public servant who, like Batch, played for the Pittsburgh Steelers (then Pittsburgh Pirates) and the Detroit Lions during his professional football career.
The award will be announced this Thursday in New Orleans during the NFLPA’s State of the Union press conference on Thursday, January 31 at the Super Bowl media center. The five finalists for the award are: Charlie Batch (Pittsburgh Steelers), Chad Greenway (Minnesota Vikings), Charles Tillman (Chicago Bears), Benjamin Watson (Cleveland Browns) and Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys).
Media Note:
Charlie Batch will be available for interviews at the Super Bowl media center in New Orleans throughout the week. Please email risa@pr1comm.com for inquiries.
BATCH A FINALIST FOR BYRON “WHIZZER” WHITE AWARD – BATCH FOUNDATION HAS HAD 12-YEAR IMPACT ON KIDS
steelers.com
January 23, 2013
Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch is a finalist for the Byron “Whizzer” White Award, an honor given by the NFL Players Association to a player for their work in the community.
“It’s humbling,” said Batch. “To be a finalist for the highest award you can receive from the NFLPA is special. To be considered one of those guys is special.”
Batch started his Best of the Batch Foundation 12 years ago, serving those in the Pittsburgh area, including Homestead where he was raised. The foundation provides an array of services, from computer literacy programs to summer basketball leagues.
“I am blessed to play here for this organization and be this close to home, allowing me to be hands on with everything I am doing with the foundation and have people believe in me,” said Batch. “I can’t do this by myself. We go out there and try to change lives and when people see that, it’s even more humbling.”
Batch has been able to see the impact the foundation has had on kids and looks forward to continuing to develop and grow the foundation.
“A lot of kids started with us when they were seven or eight years old and we see kids graduating from high school, heading off to college and beyond,” said Batch. “When you see the kids growing up, and them getting the opportunity to go out and live their dreams, that is what we are all about. We want to have them reach beyond their expectations.”
CHARLIE BATCH AND HARLEM GLOBETROTTER CHEESE CHISHOLM DELIVER ANTI-BULLYING MESSAGE TO KIDS
pittsburgh.cbslocal.com – KDKA
December 11, 2012
A Steel Valley alum teamed up with Harlem Globetrotter Cheese Chisholm Tuesday afternoon and delivered a message to kids at Steel Valley Middle School. The message was heard loud and clear. Not one, but two athletes came out to encourage youngsters to be the best they can be and to never bully anyone. Batch was made an honorary Harlem Globetrotter Ambassador of Goodwill for his community work through the Best of the Batch Foundation.
SMILES ARE WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT FOR BATCH – “BATCH OF TOYS” TOY DRIVE AND DELIVERY
steelers.com
December 4, 2012
Batch is as excited about this Christmas Eve as the kids, so anxious to go out and deliver the toys for the sixth straight year, many of them donated by Steelers’ fan at the annual “Batch of Toys” drive, held at Dave & Buster’s at the Waterfront on Tuesday. Batch and his teammates signed autographs for those who brought toys.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Batch of the support he gets. “This time of year is always special for me. So many people support it, fans believe in what we are doing. We even have wrapping parties and everyone comes over and wraps them.”
The toys will be shared with local women’s shelters, the Salvation Army, UPMC Children’s Hospital AIDS patients, Pittsburgh Housing Authority, McKee Temple and families in the Mon Valley and Allegheny County that Batch will visit on Christmas Eve.
An excited child who can barely sleep in anticipation of Christmas morning will jump off their couch and curiosity will get the best of them as they peek out the window to see if maybe, just maybe Santa Claus is coming to the front door instead of down the chimney. Standing in front of them will be Charlie Batch, holding not just a sack of toys, but the dreams of what Christmas morning is made of.
“When you are able to go out and see the expressions on a kid’s face when you are out there delivering the presents, no matter if it’s Christmas Eve or going to women’s shelters or Salvation Army, it’s something that gets me,” said Batch.
BATCH GETS HOMETOWN HONOR
steelers.com
November 30, 2012
There is no doubt that quarterback Charlie Batch is a hometown hero, so on Friday night it was only fitting that he was inducted into the Steel Valley Hall of Fame. Batch, who is from Homestead, PA., part of the Steel Valley, was honored for his achievements on the field and his contribution to the community. Batch established the Best of the Batch Foundation, giving back to those in the Steel Valley area in many ways, including educational programs.
“I am in a rare situation where I am home playing football,” said Batch. “To be so close to home and be able to continue to do what we are doing with the foundation and make an impact on the community is special because there are so many people involved and believe in our cause.
CHARLIE BATCH GETS COMPETITIVE FOR A GOOD CAUSE WITH “IN THE POCKET” EVENT
nflplayers.com
November 8, 2012
The Executive Committee member and Steelers veteran hosted his 6th Annual “In the Pocket with Charlie Batch” for charity. Proceeds from the event help run the Batch Foundation’s Reading and Computer Literacy Program and allows them to house the Steel Valley Alternative School Program. In addition to the hundreds that have used the computer lab, there are currently 11 kids in the alternative school program, sent to the foundation because of behavioral problems in main stream schools or through court order.
Some refer to the alternative school program as the “Charlie Batch School,” and parents have inquired about getting their kids in the program. For Batch that is a compliment because it shows they are doing something right, but his hope is that all the kids are able to attend their own schools and not have to resort to alternative schooling.
“We have them going to school, but it’s not cool to be in this school because you got kicked out of school and are in an alternative program,” said Batch. “They are angry because now they can’t play sports and have to focus on school with no ball. You have to encourage them why they are going to school – to graduate. That is a tough sell because they feel there is no reason to go to school. We always try to turn the negative into a positive and try to get them back to their main school.”
BATCH WORKS TO CUT DROPOUTS
The Eastern Echo
October 28, 2012
In an attempt to cut high school dropout rates in half before 2018, former Eastern Michigan University quarterback Charlie Batch, who now plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, teamed up with the United Way’s Team NFL. Batch has been the Team NFL representative for the Steelers since 2006 and is committed to educational opportunities. He has been recruiting readers, mentors and tutors for the Be 1 in a Million program.
NFL CELEBRATES YOUTH HEALTH AND WELLNESS DURING LEAGUE-WIDE DAY OF SERVICE WITH UNITED WAY HOMETOWN HUDDLE
nflcommunications.com
October 23, 2012
The Steelers will hold their Hometown Huddle event at Saint Benedict the Moor School. United Way TEAM NFL player Charlie Batch and the Steelers 2012 Rookie Class will host a PLAY 60 assembly in conjunction with the fitUnited program of the local United Way. A Steelers strength and conditioning coach will be in attendance to convey the importance of physical activity for youth. The team also will present a grant to the school to be used towards improving physical education.
BRENTWOOD, MONESSEN STUDENTS TAUGHT RESPECT AFTER DISPUTE AT EVENT
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
September 5, 2012
Students, local officials and Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch gathered Tuesday at Monessen High School for an assembly about respect stemming from a quarrel between Monessen and Brentwood at a basketball game earlier this year. The dispute was sparked when two Brentwood students wore banana suits at the Feb. 3 game. Some people from Monessen interpreted the suits as racist, despite the fact that the students had worn the suits at other games. Several Monessen supporters also said the mostly black Monessen team was subjected to racial taunts, but a WPIAL investigation found that no racial harassment occurred. The organization did, however, ask the districts to work together to address any hostility. Mr. Batch and the UPMC Dignity & Respect Program met with students from each school to come up with a program, which they explained to the students Tuesday as they had in Brentwood.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS QB CHARLIE BATCH HOSTS HIS 11TH ANNUAL “P.R.O.J.E.C.T. CHUCK” YOUTH BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
facebook.com/bestofthebatchfoundation
July 19, 2012
Charlie Batch will host the 11th Annual Project C.H.U.C.K. youth summer basketball league championship games this Saturday. Games will be held at the “Charlie Batch 16th Avenue Playground” in Homestead, PA. Project C.H.U.C.K (Continuously Helping Uplift Community Kids) is a seven-week summer basketball league for boys and girls 7-18 years old. In its 11th year, Project C.H.U.C.K. is one of the most popular programs offered by the Best of the Batch Foundation, with league participation having grown to more than 350 kids. In addition to providing an activity for kids to participate in throughout the summer, the league also focuses on building discipline, self-confidence, team building skills, sportsmanship and fundamental basketball skills.
CHARLIE BATCH VISITS YOUTH RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
pittsburghharlequins.org
July 9, 2012
On June 2nd The Pittsburgh Harlequins celebrated their 13th annual Youth Rugby Day at Founders Field in Pittsburgh. The day brought all four U-14 Rugby teams together for a day of semifinal and final games. Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Charlie Batch was on hand to speak with each team about dedication and teamwork, as well as to congratulate each team on putting their best into the sport.
CHARLIE BATCH JOINS UNITED WAY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY AND TEAM NFL TO RECRUIT READERS, TUTORS & MENTORS
steelers.com
June 20, 2012
“I am proud to serve as the Pittsburgh Steelers United Way Ambassador since 2006 and I’m excited to get Steelers fans involved in the volunteer opportunities United Way has to offer. I have benefited from mentoring relationships, and I want kids in Steeler Nation to have the opportunity to realize their full potential,” said Charlie Batch.
BATCH HELPS BRENTWOOD, MONESSEN STUDENTS TO OVERCOME INCIDENT
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
May 31, 2012
When Brentwood and Monessen made national headlines in February after allegations of a racially-charged atmosphere at a basketball game, Charlie Batch took his criticism to Twitter. Yet, when it needed to heal the hostile relationship between schools and their respective communities, the WPIAL turned to the Steelers backup quarterback and Homestead native. Together, under Batch’s guidance, the schools launched the Sportsmanship, Dignity and Respect Campaign on Wednesday afternoon before an assembly of more than 400 at Brentwood High School.
PITTSBURGH STEELER CHARLIE BATCH HONORED FOR CONTINUOUS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY
Pittsburgh Urban Media
May 19, 2012
When he’s not on the football field, Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch can be found working with his non-profit, Best of the Batch Foundation, and attending and helping out with community events and activities. Charlie feels that “treating each other with dignity and respect is a part of everyday life,” and if we all treated each other equally, “violence levels would be down, and it would help our communication with each other.” Charlie was selected as the May Dignity & Respect Champion for his tireless work to give back to his and surrounding communities.
MEMORY OF CHARLIE BATCH’S SLAIN SISTER LIVES THROUGH HIS YOUTH FOUNDATION
thepostgame.com
April 26, 2012
For the past 10 years, West Street has been home to Best of the Batch, the educational foundation of the Steelers’ veteran quarterback. It’s a place where kids go to learn at what they call The Charlie Batch School, where they can work at one of 26 computer stations and where they play basketball, protected from the danger on neighboring streets.
But located in the same area, Homestead Cemetery sits on 22nd Street, an intersection Charlie Batch must pass through when he travels to his mother’s home from practice.
It’s the plot of land where his sister has been buried for the past 16 years and a cemetery that for a time, he couldn’t bring himself to pass by without all of the anger associated with his sister’s murder resurfacing from the depths where Danyl Lynn Settles’ memory was once buried deep inside Charlie Batch.
The memory of his sister inspired the formation of Best of the Batch.
From the start, Batch was clear on one thing: His work in the community would be centered in the neighborhood Danyl was murdered. Not only would the foundation’s efforts honor his sister’s memory, but it gave residents a sense that Batch knew what it’s like to live in Homestead.
About the Batch Foundation:
The Best of the Batch Foundation is a registered non-profit foundation founded in 1999 by NFL quarterback, Charlie Batch. Best of the Batch Foundation’s mission: “Our passion is to help unlock potential in financially challenged communities with resources for children and families, by educating and empowering them to give their best efforts in all they do, to become the “Best of the Batch” in life.” For more information on the foundation, its annual programs, or how to contribute please contact Latasha Wilson, Executive Director at 412-326-0119 or at lwilson@batchfoundation.org or visit www.batchfoundation.org.
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