St. Ann’s Infant and Maternity Home was established in 1861, and moved into its current facility in Hyattsville, Maryland in 1962. It currently houses almost 20 at risk single mothers and foster children as well as helping more than 230 children each year.
Now, 50 years since the move from Washington DC to its Maryland location, St. Ann’s is getting some well-deserved help in return, with a big had from several retired NFL players.
On a tour of the facility this past summer, Hugh Carroll noticed how the building looked like a hospital environment instead of a home. Carroll, President of Home Builders Care Foundation (HBCF), pulled together a team and also invited retired Washington Redskins players to help.
Photo: Shown, Left to Right, John “Boomer” Stufflebeem (1975-1979: Detroit Lions), Ed Simmons (1987-1997: Washington Redskins), John Booty (1988-1995: New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Phoenix Cardinals, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Calvin Snowden (1969-1973: St. Louis Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers), Ken Jenkins (1983-1986: Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins), and Brig Owens (1966-1977: Washington Redskins). Photo via NAHB.org.
The Washington DC NFLPA Former Players chapter was looking for charity construction projects in their free time. The players to chip in were John Stufflebeem, Ed Simmons, John Booty, Calvin Snowden, Ken Jenkins, Brig Owens, and Spain Musgrove.
Two rooms in the St. Louise Children’s Unit were renovated. The result was a combined kitchen and family room.
“The renovation will create a home-like atmosphere for hundreds of young children who temporarily don’t have a place to call home and who receive care and comfort through St. Ann’s Residential Program each year,” said Carroll.
Countertops, lights, flooring, and cabinets were taken up and new ones installed. Players and volunteers worked together mounting the cabinets, painting walls, and installing lights to rejuvenate the space. As some of the players mounted the cabinets they joked about being cut out for this type of job.
The total cost of the project was $30,000. HBCF coordinated the project and Stefan Kalivas of SCK Construction in Silver Springs led the construction work. Several other contributors who donated supplies included Mohawk Flooring, Mid-South Building Supply, Atlantic Electric Supply, and HBCF board member Rich MacDonough who provided project management services.
“Every child and every family should have a safe, comfortable place that feels like home, whether it’s temporary like here at St. Ann’s or permanent home,” said Calvin Snowden, president of NFLPA Former Players Chapter.
Upon completion of the projects, Sister Mary Bader, CEO of St. Ann’s said, “I am overwhelmed with the generosity of all those who have given of their time, talents and treasure to help make St. Ann’s a more inviting place for the children and teen mothers. We are truly blessed to have so many wonderful supporters.”
The completion of these projects can be crossed off a long list of remodeling that St. Ann’s hopes to have completed.
“With the need these kids have, it’s touching to be able to provide an area for them that feels warm and less institutional,” said Carroll.
Snowden said that it was “…incredibly rewarding to give back to the Washington DC community through a project like this.”
