The Arizona Cardinal’s defensive star Calais Campbell held his 5th Annual CRC Foundation Fundraiser Dinner earlier this week in Scottsdale, an event designed to raise money for Arizona families. This year the dinner was held at Mastro’s City Hall, and included both a live and a silent auction to benefit the Champions For Children cause. Many of the Arizona Cardinal players were in attendance to support their pro-bowl teammate, but when you’re 6″8′, who’s going to say no right?
The event was hosted by actor/comedian Tony Roberts who had the entire place rolling. Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Peterson, Alex Okafor, Frostee Rucker, Sean Weatherspoon, Kareem Martin, Mike Leach, and others were all spotted helping out and having a good time.
We caught up with Calais and asked him what he enjoyed about having the event. -“Really, I just enjoy getting to interact with some of the people here, a lot of the people in this community that are very helpful and supportive of my foundation and what I am trying to do. It’s cool to to be able to thank them and spend time with them.”
We also asked Calais if he was worried about any particular teammate dropping any plates or burning anything in the kitchen, Campbell just laughed.
“Nah, everybody I know is pretty good with their hands, they are all smooth guys so I am comfortable with these guys.”
Next on the red carpet was the Cardinal’s outside linebacker Kareem Martin who shared his take on helping out, “You know it’s always a good time to help out the guys, especially outside of football. Calais’s foundation, this is the second one I have done, just seeing him give back to the community is always good so I’m willing to support that anytime.”
Alex Okafor also stopped to speak with PPI, the Cardinal’s quarterback sack leader gave his view what he enjoys most about the function, “I’m just happy to be in this position, you know, a position where people want to come out and see people like me, I am very fortunate, and I try and share the happiness as much as I can.”
We also asked Okafor what his game of choice was, being that the charity dinner had a Las Vegas theme and gaming going on inside. Okafor said Black Jack would be his game but if that wasn’t working out you could probably catch him at the craps table.
All in all it was a very pleasant evening with amazing people that were all there for the same great cause. The CRC Foundation, established in 2009, was founded by Calais, his mother Nateal, and his siblings. The Foundation is named after Campbell’s father- Charles R. Campbell, who passed away in 2003.
-Mission Statement
“The CRC Foundation is committed to the enhancement of our community through the teaching of critical life skills to young people. Through sports, creative talents, vocational skills, financial skills, and quality health and nutrition, the CRC Foundation helps develop young people into empowered and self-aware leaders for the future.”
The Campbell’s are passionate about serving children and families in the Arizona community, and the foundation has been recognized with awards like the NFL Players Association Community MVP in 2014, the Pop Warner Humanitarian Award in 2015, and the Arizona Cardinals Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2011 and 2014.
