Great story on one of the good guys in professional sports, DALLAS CLARK.
For those that are not aware, DALLAS attended the same rural Iowa high school(40 per class) as RX posters Hawkeye171 and yours trully.
Although Dallas Clark was looking for a way to help his community, he never would have wished for this sort of opportunity.
Once it arose, though, Clark was eager to help.
Clark, a fullback/tight end for the Colts and a first-round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft, is helping the tornado-ravaged town of Bradgate, Iowa. He recently headlined an event that raised more than $17,000 for victims of the May 21 tornado that destroyed 30 of the 40 homes in the northwest Iowa town.
Clark helped stage a fundraiser at Twin River Valley High School in Bode, Iowa, this past Friday. More than 1,000 people attended.
“It was amazing,” Clark, who is from the nearby town of Livermore, told local reporters. “I saw pictures, but you really don’t fully understand what happened until you see it.
“It’s amazing how you can see the path of the tornado. It was really devastating.”
Clark donated several items to an auction for the event, including a signed jersey, as well as an autographed Peyton Manning jersey. He also donated a signed helmet and the pair of shoes he wore when he sustained a season-ending injury last November.
Along with former NFL tight end Marv Cook – who emceed the event – Clark headlined an autograph session that helped raise $5,000. Clark, like Cook, played at Iowa.
Clark and Cook each signed a $2 bill that was found miles from the tornado site. It sold for $325.
Clark called the turnout “incredible.”
“It has been two weeks of promoting and you just don't know how it's going to turn out,” he said. “It went well. The people seemed to have a good time and it's all for a good cause. That's the main thing."
Twin River Valley principal Don Hasenkamp called Clark the kind of person who helps out whenever he can.
"Dallas comes back a lot," Hasenkamp said. "He called me about seeing if he could use the gym and do a benefit of this nature, which was no surprise to me. Dallas has come back almost every year to talk to the elementary schools.
“He's a DARE role model and talks to the kids about not drinking, no alcohol and no drugs."
Colts Owner and Chief Executive Officer Jim Irsay donated $5,000 to the cause.
“The families really appreciate it,” Clark said. “I’m just doing my thing to help out as much as possible. A tone of people were involved. That’s why you love small towns.”
Clark said he had been trying to figure a way to help his home town since the end of his rookie season last season.
“I’ve been looking to do something in my hometown community to give back – maybe through the high school athletic department or the booster club,” Clark said. “Some time passed and I was not able to get back and properly organize an event. Unfortunately, the tornadoes hit and the community of Bradgate was almost wiped out.”
Bradgate is one of seven towns in Clark’s hometown school district of just over 200 people, Clark said.
“In light of the devastating situation, I thought this was a better way of focusing my attention,” Clark said. “So many people and businesses offered to help out and donate items to make the event a success. I just wanted to do something to help out my hometown neighbors who have been hit by such a tragic event.”
For those that are not aware, DALLAS attended the same rural Iowa high school(40 per class) as RX posters Hawkeye171 and yours trully.
Although Dallas Clark was looking for a way to help his community, he never would have wished for this sort of opportunity.
Once it arose, though, Clark was eager to help.
Clark, a fullback/tight end for the Colts and a first-round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft, is helping the tornado-ravaged town of Bradgate, Iowa. He recently headlined an event that raised more than $17,000 for victims of the May 21 tornado that destroyed 30 of the 40 homes in the northwest Iowa town.
Clark helped stage a fundraiser at Twin River Valley High School in Bode, Iowa, this past Friday. More than 1,000 people attended.
“It was amazing,” Clark, who is from the nearby town of Livermore, told local reporters. “I saw pictures, but you really don’t fully understand what happened until you see it.
“It’s amazing how you can see the path of the tornado. It was really devastating.”
Clark donated several items to an auction for the event, including a signed jersey, as well as an autographed Peyton Manning jersey. He also donated a signed helmet and the pair of shoes he wore when he sustained a season-ending injury last November.
Along with former NFL tight end Marv Cook – who emceed the event – Clark headlined an autograph session that helped raise $5,000. Clark, like Cook, played at Iowa.
Clark and Cook each signed a $2 bill that was found miles from the tornado site. It sold for $325.
Clark called the turnout “incredible.”
“It has been two weeks of promoting and you just don't know how it's going to turn out,” he said. “It went well. The people seemed to have a good time and it's all for a good cause. That's the main thing."
Twin River Valley principal Don Hasenkamp called Clark the kind of person who helps out whenever he can.
"Dallas comes back a lot," Hasenkamp said. "He called me about seeing if he could use the gym and do a benefit of this nature, which was no surprise to me. Dallas has come back almost every year to talk to the elementary schools.
“He's a DARE role model and talks to the kids about not drinking, no alcohol and no drugs."
Colts Owner and Chief Executive Officer Jim Irsay donated $5,000 to the cause.
“The families really appreciate it,” Clark said. “I’m just doing my thing to help out as much as possible. A tone of people were involved. That’s why you love small towns.”
Clark said he had been trying to figure a way to help his home town since the end of his rookie season last season.
“I’ve been looking to do something in my hometown community to give back – maybe through the high school athletic department or the booster club,” Clark said. “Some time passed and I was not able to get back and properly organize an event. Unfortunately, the tornadoes hit and the community of Bradgate was almost wiped out.”
Bradgate is one of seven towns in Clark’s hometown school district of just over 200 people, Clark said.
“In light of the devastating situation, I thought this was a better way of focusing my attention,” Clark said. “So many people and businesses offered to help out and donate items to make the event a success. I just wanted to do something to help out my hometown neighbors who have been hit by such a tragic event.”
