FROM LEFT: Danny Clark signs autographs at a Monday-night even to benefit his foundation; Football fans gather to watch the game at one of Danny Clark's Monday Nights
Like many young fathers, I was faced with a life-changing experience when my son Nicky was born in 2002, but he was also three months premature. I remember holding a one-pound, three-ounce baby in my hands and fearing the challenges we faced ahead.
Thankfully, I’ve been blessed with the resources to give Nicky the medical support he needed to better his chances at conquering the odds. As I would learn through this experience, the care that premature babies receive after birth has a profound impact on the rest of their lives. Therefore, it is imperative that every child has the same chance my Nicky did to overcome this obstacle to lead a happy, healthy life.
For this reason, I decided to start the Danny Clark Foundation and share the opportunities I’ve been given to the families of these at-risk babies. The foundation is dedicated to improving the survival and long-term quality of life for children born too soon, too small or too sick to cope on their own. Similarly, we strive to make sure that the teen mom, the stressed family and the overwhelmed single parent receive support from the first moment of their child’s life.
Thanks to our dedicated supporters, we have been able to advance our efforts and expand our mission to include educating underprivileged youth on issues such as violence and teen pregnancy. Today, the foundation holds youth programs and provides disadvantaged communities with the resources needed for empowerment. It offers them the skills to excel educationally, physically, emotionally and spiritually through an effective use of their talents.
This year, the Danny Clark Foundation began hosting a weekly Monday Night Football viewing party called “Danny Clark’s Monday Nights,” where football fans got to enjoy the Monday-night game surrounded by their favorite athletes. Funds for the foundation were raised each week through ticket sales, raffl es and silent auctions. Through collaborations with brands like Diesel and ZIRH we were able to increase public awareness of the foundation and elevate the events to a new level.
I hope that with our vision we can, one step at a time, ensure a world in which every baby, regardless of his or her challenges, is equally valued and can achieve their full potential. For more information about the Danny Clark Foundation, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit dannyclarkfoundation.com.
