NFL's Donald Strickland gives back to his community with a weekend of events to benefit disadvantaged youth and children with special needs.

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Jun 19, 2012, 12:44 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Donald Strickland Foundation is hosting a two-day weekend event on July 6th at the Lilienthal House and July 7th at Candlestick Park in partnership with Support For Families of Children with Disabilities and Tutorpedia -- the Bay Area leader in one-on-one tutoring -- to raise awareness, inspire hope, and provide funding for disadvantaged student athletes and children with special needs.

Hosted by Strickland, the Lilienthal House, the only intact private home that is open to the public complete with authentic furniture and luxuriant ornamentation located at 2007 Franklin Street in San Francisco's exclusive Pacific Heights' neighborhood, will open its doors at 5:00 pm for a VIP Celebrity Meet and Greet Fundraiser the evening of July 6th. Guests will enjoy a night of libations, cuisine, musical entertainment and mingling with NFL celebrities. "Napata and the Chocolate Kisses" and Victoria Theodore, classical pianist and backup singer for Stevie Wonder, will headline the night's performances, concluding with a live auction of one-of-a-kind items and adventures.

At "Take the Corner Back" Mini-Football camp on Saturday, July 7th, NFL athletes from around the country will engage boys and girls of all ages —and all abilities —to participate at the historic Candlestick Park field for an afternoon of activities, music and photos with National Football League players. Donald Strickland and other NFL players along with Mission High School, Archbishop Riordan High School, and the San Francisco Warriors football teams will help children and youth with special needs experience fun activities they may have never tried before like throwing a football, completing obstacle courses and practicing an end zone touch-down dance. Cheerleaders (including special needs cheerleaders) from CheerGyms.com will perform inspirational routines throughout the day. Ashling "Biscuit" Cole will kick off the event with a dynamic rendition of the national anthem, followed by performances by special needs and underprivileged youth throughout the San Francisco area.

This two-day weekend will raise funds and increase community awareness for the Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, a non-profit agency celebrating 30 years of helping families in San Francisco obtain the resources, tools and support they need to help their children who have any kind of special need. Services include a drop-in center, warm line, parent-to-parent mentoring program, educational events, support groups, short-term counseling services, a resource library, free family events and many other services.

In conjunction with Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, the weekend will also raise funds for The Tutorpedia Foundation, which provides the San Francisco Bay Area, with an educational resource for the community, facilitating strategic partnerships to expand life opportunities for our youth by investing in essential academic support and mentoring services. The Donald Strickland Foundation's goal is to provide three underprivileged student athletes with The Tutorpedia Foundation mentoring, tutoring and additional services.

NFL players scheduled to participate with Donald Strickland (NFL Veteran) include Vernon Davis (SF 49ers), Chris Culliver (SF 49ers), Ashley Lelie (NFL Veteran), Rashawn Jackson (Oakland Raiders), Tyron Smith (Dallas Cowboys), Dwight Lowery (JAX Jaguars), Mike Adams (Denver Broncos), Chris Baker (NY Jets).

Families can sign up for the free event at Candlestick Park by calling Support for Families at (415) 920-5040 or going to www.supportforfamilies.org.

Tickets for the Celebrity Meet & Greet can be reserved at http://thedonaldstricklandfoundation.eventbrite.com/

Support for Families is a parent-run San Francisco-based nonprofit organization founded in 1982. The organization's purpose is to ensure that families of children with any kind of disability or special health care need have the knowledge and support to make informed choices that support their child's development and well being. At the same time, the organization fosters partnership among families, professionals and the community so all children can flourish.

The Tutorpedia Foundation provides high quality, personalized tutoring and related education services to all students, regardless of socioeconomic background. They carefully match students with exceptional tutors who are experts in their content, use best practices in test preparation, and improve overall study and organizational skills. Tutoring is student-centered improving confidence, motivation, and test scores.

The Donald Strickland Foundation was created by NY Jets Cornerback Donald Strickland to give back to his community – especially disadvantaged youth and those with special needs. He grew up in San Francisco's Bay View District and attended Archbishop Riordan High School. His foundation sponsors events to raise awareness about children with disabilities and support student athletes from disadvantaged communities. For more information visit: www.THEDONALDSTRICKLANDFOUNDATION.ORG

Event details:

Support for Families of Children with Disabilities and The Donald Strickland Foundation present:
"Take the Corner Back, Mini-Football Camp" for kids and youth with special health care needs or disabilities
Saturday, July 7th, 2012
Candlestick Park, San Francisco
Registration: 11am-12pm
Football Camp: 12 pm - 3:00 pm
Cost: FREE

The Donald Strickland Foundation presents:
Celebrity Meet and Greet and Fundraiser
Friday, July 6th, 2012
Haas-Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin Street, San Francisco
VIP reception: 5:00pm-7:00pm
General reception: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cost:
$250 VIP
$150 General