Kurt Warner | First Things First

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FTF Donates $100K to Habitat to Build Hope in Cedar Rapids

As the Cedar Valley continues to rebuild from the Flood of 2008, Iowa natives Kurt and Brenda have not only challenged Cedar Rapids faith & corporate communities to commit to building homes with Habitat for Humanity, but they showed up with hammer in hand to physically do just that! Kurt and Brenda, along with some in the local Warner clan, helped raise the walls for one of 13 homes constructed as part of the second annual Americorps Habitat Blitz Build. First Things First gifted $100K to help with the completion of the final two homes, and are calling on area businesses and groups to match the gift for 2011 as part of the First Things First Home Team Challenge. Donations can be made to Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity by calling 319-366-4485. Special thanks to FTF teammate Aarons for the donation of 13 kitchen tables for each of the 2010 Habitat families!

To view video footage of Kurt & Brenda at work click here…

First Things First creates magical memories with 10 special families

Ten families with a child in medical crisis joined Kurt, Brenda and their seven dwarfs for a wonderful week in Orlando recently as part of the ninth annual “We’re Going to Disney World!” trip. Each day was packed with adventure as the group of Make A Wish and Dream Factory families from Arizona, Iowa and Missouri enjoyed shows, rides, meals and lots of love, laughter, tears and hugs. Special thanks to Give Kids the World, Walt Disney World Resorts, and especially the Foundation For Those without a Voice who once again provided a generous $25,000 grant to underwrite the airfare.

Warner Family Urges Others to have “Ice Cream for Breakfast” for Great Org!

Kurt, Brenda and their seven children are the official spokesfamily for “Ice Cream for Breakfast,” a new initiative to raise funds and awareness for a whimsical resort for children with life threatening illnesses and their families in Central Florida called Give Kids the World. First Things First has been involved with Give Kids the World since its first “We’re Going to Disney World!” trip in 2002. Go to www.icecreamforbreakfast.org for more info and ideas on how you can get involved.

Kurt Voted Best Local Hero & Best Sports Figure in AZ Central Readers Choice Poll

AZ Central.com has announced its Best of 2010, this year's collection of critics' and readers' favorites in more than 250 categories of restaurants, bars, shops, services, kids favorites and more, and Kurt was voted the Best in 2 categories: Best Local Hero and Best Sports Figure. Readers' Choice winners were chosen during a three-month process. Readers were asked to nominate their top picks which were used to build a ballot from the most-nominated entries. Finally, azcentral.com users cast their votes.

Kurt Joins MDA's Muscle Team

Kurt is the newest member of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's "Make a Muscle, Make A Difference" campaign and flexed his muscle in ads for the charity that is dedicated to finding a cure for muscular dystrophy and ALS. Kurt joins Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron, country singer Wynonna Judd, Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney, and former Access Hollywood Host Nancy O'Dell among others in support of this great organization!

Aarons, U-Haul and FTF Surprise Single Mom with Homes for the Holidays

Carla and her 12-year old son Isaiah walked arm and arm through their new home in virtual silence. What they thought was a routine walk-thru with the staff of Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles, turned into the belated Mother’s Day surprise of a lifetime for this single mom and member of the National Guard. Each room in her 3-bedroom home was beautifully decorated thanks to Aaron’s, U-Haul, and First Things First! Rugs, lamps, couches, beds, dressers, linens, towels…even food in the pantry… it was all there! Carla and Isaiah are the 21st family blessed by the Homes for the Holidays program and the 10th in the greater St. Louis area.

Warners Lead Disability Awareness Program in AZ

Students of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, AZ participated in the week-long CHEER (Consciousness Helps Encourage Equal Respect) program in early May. Each day student leaders “adopted” disabilities by wearing visual impairment goggles, using wheelchairs, losing the use of their dominant arms, wearing ear plugs or being non-verbal. The week ended with an assembly for the entire school hosted by the Warners to help create an atmosphere of inclusion and appreciation.

Costas, Vermeil and Warners Kick off Double Header at The Pageant

Laughter and good vibes filled The Pageant on the evening of April 22nd as Kurt and Brenda were joined by Bob Costas and Dick Vermeil for the 2nd Annual Night with Champions presented by Edward Jones. More than 600 people filled the eclectic venue in The Loop as they nibbled on menu samples from the likes of Gooey Louie, BARcelona, Oceano Bistro, Cardwell’s at the Plaza/BC’sKitchen, 1111 Mississippi/Vin de Set, Pappy’s Smokehouse, and Annie Gunn’s while they perused a silent auction brimming with sports memorabilia. The show featured an intimate Q&A format which was more conversation than interview led by the legendary Costas and concluded with lighthearted rapid fire questions from Brenda.

Rain Doesn’t Dampen Spirits on the Links

The double header fun continued on Friday morning at Norwood Hills Country Club for the Kurt Warner First Things First Golf Classic presented by Edward Jones. Despite the chilly temps and brief rain showers, golfers enjoyed the day including foursome photos with Kurt, Brenda and Dick Vermeil. Thanks to support from all the sponsors especially Edward Jones, Ralcorp, St. Louis Rams, and Fox 2/KPLR the Double Header events generated nearly $100,000 for First Things First!

AZ Rattlers Dedicate Home Opener to First Things First

On Friday, April 16th, the home opener of the AZ Rattlers game vs. the Chicago Rush at the US Airways Center is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for First Things First. The Rattlers owners have committed $20,000 personally and are asking fans to donate as they enter the arena or via website and phone for those watching on AZTV at home. All 17,000 tickets for the Arena Football game were offered free to the public by the Rattlers and their sponsors. Brenda and Kurt – the most decorated Arena Football alumni – will attend the game and participate in the broadcast promoting First Things First.

Click here to make a donation to First Things First.

Double Header Event in St. Louis

Join Kurt and Brenda along with Special Guest Coach Dick Vermeil and Emcee Bob Costas at The Pageant on April 22 for a Night With Champions presented by Edward Jones. Prior to an on-stage walk down memory lane of the amazing 1999 Championship season, guests will enjoy food from St. Louis' most popular restaurants as well as a silent auction. On April 23, golfers will take to the links at Norwood Hills Country Club for the second annual First Things First Golf Classic. Sponsorships and foursomes are available. Tickets for Night With Champions go on sale on March 1st at ticketmaster.com or The Pageant Box Office.

Click here for detailed event flier.

FTF & University of Phoenix Give Gift of Higher Ed

Thanks to a partnership with the University of Phoenix, First Things First was able to bless a young man who Kurt & Brenda have known since First Things First’s inception in 2001 through work with Sunshine Ministries in downtown St. Louis. Ramon Mitchell is the latest recipient of the First Things First Scholarship Program, which rewards deserving individuals from pre-selected partner organizations with a scholarship to the University of Phoenix to earn their bachelor’s degree. In addition to the full-ride scholarship, First Things First also gave Ramon a Macbook complete with Microsoft Office to assist him with his homework. Ramon is the sixth University of Phoenix scholarship recipient and third from Sunshine Ministries, with his mother receiving a scholarship last year.

Click here to read full story.

UFE Raises $275K with All-Star Cast

A sell-out twelve teams took to the fields at the Cardinals Training facility on March 6th for the annual Kurt Warner Ultimate Football Experience – a four-on-four flag football tourney pairing corporate teams with celebrity QBs. The Draft Party and Auction preceded the game action and set the tone for the event as teams competed for their place in the Draft to select from an all-star cast that included Anquan Boldin, Marshall Faulk, Larry Fitzgerald, Joe Flacco, Todd Heap, Chris Miller, Sean Morey, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Michael Strahan and Kurt Warner. Corporations sponsoring teams include Priority Sports & Entertainment, Insight/CA, Prosource, Wal-Mart - West Valley, Wal-Mart – East Valley, Wal-Mart – Phoenix, Insight/Lenovo/Procurve, Arizona Cardinals and University of Phoenix. Aaron Rodgers led a group of individuals called Team 13 to victory in the tournament which raised a record $275,000 for First Things First!

Click here to view photo slideshow of the event courtesy of Yeung Photography.

"Thanks for the Memories T-Shirts on sale

Kurt Warner will not only be remembered by football fans for playing a key role in the turnaround of two storied NFL franchises, but for being a class act and role model who inspires everyone around him. Fans can commemorate Kurt's improbable career with this special edition "Thanks for the Memories" t-shirt with all proceeds benefiting his First Things First Foundation.

Click here to purchase t-shirt.

Kurt Honored with Bart Starr Award

Kurt was presented with the 2010 Bart Starr Award, voted by his peers, for exhibiting outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community at the Super Bowl Breakfast in Fort Lauderdale,FL. In his acceptance speech, Kurt reiterated his hope to not be defined by only his football feats, “That’s been my goal, to use the 12 years, to use the platform of the NFL as a means to accomplishing and leaving a legacy that goes well beyond records, and touchdowns, and football awards.” The Bart Starr Award was presented by Starr himself at the breakfast of 1,100 attendees including notable figures such as Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz, former Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy, and Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick.