Ray Lewis Relaunching Foundation

Ray Lewis has made a name for himself as not only a great linebacker, but also an incredibly giving philanthropist.

The Ray Lewis Foundation gives backpacks and school supplies to Baltimore-area students and Thanksgiving dinners to area families every year.

Now, he wants to take that family focus on the road with the launch of the “Ray Lewis Family Foundation.”  Lewis plans on doing more work in the Baltimore community, but also in his hometown of Lakeland, Fla., and perhaps even Africa.   According to the 11-time Pro Bowler, no city is out of his reach.

“We’re doing a lot of things to become a model that other foundations can go out and do the same things,” Lewis said.  “The reason why I changed it to the family foundation is because we’re trying to broaden what we do, no matter who you are in the community.  My vision is to help anybody that we come in contact with.

“I’m not just changing my foundation, but what I’m doing with it.  I’m going from state to state, city to city.  In Baltimore, I’m making some permanent changes, such as the things that I’m doing with the Commissioner and other people around here.”

The “Commissioner” would be Baltimore City Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld, with whom Ray worked on a training program for officers and families last year.  During the season, Lewis and his trainer, Monte Sanders of Optimum Fitness, go to the Baltimore Public Safety Training Facility for one day a week and lead a physical and spiritual workout.

Lewis said that was only the beginning and has designs on similar outreach in several locations.

“It kind of started there, and my grandmother, who is very ill, opened my eyes to going to other places,” said Lewis.  “That was special.  I don’t do it to get them to keep up with me.  I do it to help them.  I put them through it.  I would do this with my trainer anyway with regular people.  It’s one of the greatest blessings ever because of the lives we’re affecting.”

Stay tuned for more information about the Ray Lewis Family Foundation.  Lewis is also scheduled to host the sixth-annual Ray’s Summer Days on May 13-15.  The weekend-long event raised over $100,000 last year.

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(baltimoreravens.com)