On August 5th and 6th, D.R.E.A.M. Springfield will host their first annual Big D.R.E.A.M.’s Weekend, an event that will include a football and basketball camp for local youth. Hosted by the foundation’s president Steve Warren, former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle, it takes place at Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Missouri where he is also an alumnus. Fellow Kickapoo alumni and current Minnesota Timberwolves center Anthony Tolliver will also join the event.
D.R.E.A.M., which stands for Developing Relationships through Education And Mentoring, is a foundation that aims to bring more opportunities to children and provide them with positive examples to follow. “Every day I wake up and thank God for showing me the path to have founded D.R.E.A.M.,” Warren said. “What a great feeling to be able to help impact someone’s life in a positive way and help bring change. Our hope is to see the youth we work with graduate, further their education, give back, and become productive members in the community.”
The football and basketball camp, called “From the Field to the Court”, takes place on both days of the event. A private event for sponsors and donors follows the camp on the first night, August 5th, at Q Enoteca in Springfield. The second night highlights a celebrity charity event held at Jekyll & Hyde’s, open to the public.
Hosting the event with Warren and Tolliver are several other college and professional athletes, current and former, who have yet to be named. Warren said of the event, “It’s very exciting for me to see our non-profit come to my hometown. It always feels good to accomplish another goal.”
Any money raised during the event will go towards school supplies for local students, tutoring programs, sports equipment, and renovations on the learning center. Warren said, “Anthony and I both feel like it is our responsibility to give back to the community that has supported us throughout our careers.”
For more information on the Big D.R.E.A.M.’s Weekend and the foundation, check out their website at www.joindream.org and the local chapter’s website at www.dreamspringfield.org.
