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Before Friday’s East Coweta-Newnan game,
the Keith Brooking Foundation and the Coweta County School
System will formally announce their partnership to raise funds
for the Locker 56 Initiative. Atlanta Falcon’s linebacker Keith Brooking and Superintendent Blake Bass will be joined by the principals of all three Coweta County High Schools, Coweta County Board of Education members, foundation Executive Director Gina Weathersby and local organizers on then south end zone at Drake stadium to announce the partnership, which will raise funds for athletic shoes for children in need. The presentation will be held just after 7 p.m. November 9, before the presentation of the colors by the JROTC. Brooking is a 1994 graduate of East Coweta High School and played for the ECHS Indians. Through his success on the playing field he established the Keith Brooking Children's Foundation, which serves children and young adults in Coweta County and around metro Atlanta. There are four programs within the foundation, including the Locker 56 Shoe Program; Be a Leader, Become a Reader; the Keith Brooking Scholarship Program; and the Keith Brooking Children’s Foundation Grant Program. “Keith has always stayed close to Coweta County and has given back to our community and helped many children,” said Bass. “He gives generous scholarships at every one of our high schools and touches many children’s lives throughout our whole region. We are very proud to partner with him to raise money for Locker 56.” The partnership will involve every school in Coweta County. Each school has a Locker 56 organizing committee which will raise funds for the program through December 7. All dollars raised during this initiative will remain in Newnan and Coweta County. An educational component to the fundraising initiative is incorporated so that children may understand the importance of giving back. Locker 56 has quickly become the foundation’s signature program. Through Locker 56, new athletic shoes are provided to children in need. Children are given the opportunity to enjoy the shopping experience at one of the program’s local approved retail locations. Retail partners in this program are; Dick’s Sporting Goods of Newnan and Smith and Davis of Fayette County. Local school counselors, teachers, DFACS, parents, family members, and other organizations make referrals to the shoe program. Completion of a short grant application is required to ensure that children with the greatest needs are being supported. From its inception in December of 2003, the Keith Brooking Foundation has awarded over $300,000 in grant donations to local organizations which fit within the mission and purpose of the foundation. Over $260,000 of those dollars have remained in Coweta County and have supported local schools, DFACS, and other organizations that strive to make a positive difference in the lives of children and youth.  Coweta County School System Blake Bass, Keith Brooking Foundation Executive Director Gina Weathersby, and foundation supporter Gary Sykes, above, will be among those announcing a partnership between the foundation and the school system at Friday’s East Coweta-Newnan game at Drake Stadium. The partnership will raise funds for Brooking’s Locker 56 program. |