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Davin Joseph is big – six foot three inches, 313 pounds. That’s to be expected for an NFL lineman.
His heart is big, too. Davin helped start a program through United Way of Tampa Bay to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need. In 2008 “Turkey Time with the O-Line” served 600 meals. He participates in programs to help pediatric patients. And Davin’s Dream Team provides home game tickets to charitable groups.
Davin was selected as the player spokesman for United Way of Tampa Bay to highlight the 35-year collaboration between the groups, and to promote the LIVE UNITED message. How does he feel about his role?
“I’ve been in Tampa Bay since 2006 and I’m searching for more ways to make an impact on the community,” he said. “Becoming the United Way of Tampa Bay’s player spokesman has motivated me to get more involved. It’s gotten me grounded and helped me learn where I can make a difference.”
Davin puts a child through his paces.
He helped out in a big way – the only way he knows how – at the recent Hometown Huddle. A collaboration between United Way and the NFL, Hometown Huddle encourages kids to play at least 60 minutes a day. It’s part of United Way’s 10-year goal to increase by one-third the number of youth who are healthy and avoid risky behavior.
Hometown Huddle was held at the West Tampa Boys & Girls Club in early October. More than 120 children took turns throwing, catching, running, tackling and having a ball with United Way of Tampa Bay volunteers and the Buccaneer players and cheerleaders who came to play. Davin tiptoed through the nets and trotted slowly around the obstacle course so the children could keep up. He cheered as the kids tackled the dummy and picked it up for the next enthusiastic tackle. He posed for pictures and signed autographs.
“I learn from everyone, receive knowledge from everyone, and I’ve learned how much of an impact one person can make,” he said. “Our country is going through a rough time right now and I want to help as many people as I can – kids, families, seniors. I bet our Thanksgiving dinner giveaway will double this year.”
He continued, “I want to be the spark that inspires people to give, to volunteer, to get involved.”
How does Davin Joseph LIVE UNITED?
“I LIVE UNITED to help those in need and inspire others to give back.”
A Tampa child goes for a long one.
At 9:00 a.m., Thursday, October 22, 2009 at the Doubletree Hotel in Tampa, local business executives, educators, community impact organizations and government leaders will meet at Graduation Pathway. Participants will learn how to positively influence high school graduation rates in Hillsborough County.
Convened by the Children’s Board, the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County Public Schools and United Way of Tampa Bay, Graduation Pathway offers area business leaders critical information to keep teens focused and graduating from high school.
Graduation Pathway addresses the issue as a community-wide challenge, not just that of schools or parents, and is designed for CEOs, COOs, senior executives, entrepreneurs and human resource directors.
Dr. Bill R. Daggett, president of the International Center for Leadership in Education, is the keynote speaker. His presentation, The New 3 R’s: Rigor, Relevance and Relationships focuses on the impact of high school graduation on the future Tampa Bay workforce.
Dr. Daggett has also collaborated with education groups in several countries, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Governors’ Association, and other national organizations. He is recognized worldwide for his proven ability to move education systems toward more rigorous and relevant skills and knowledge for students. He has assisted several states and hundreds of school districts, including Hillsborough, with their school improvement initiatives, many in response to No Child Left Behind and its demanding adequate yearly progress provisions.
Also presenting is MaryEllen Elia, superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools, the eighth largest school district in the United States with more than 189,000 students and almost 26,000 full-time employees. MaryEllen has been superintendent since July 2005 and draws on a deep reservoir of educational experience in her CEO responsibilities.
Dr. Daggett will facilitate a panel discussion on strategies proven to increase graduation rates. The prominent panel participants are Joe Follman, Executive Director of Learn & Serve Florida; Gordon Gillette, CEO of TECO & People’s Gas; Judy Nee, Executive Director of the National Afterschool Association; Joe Radelet, VP of Mentoring for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America; and Chuck Saylors, President of the National PTA.
Breakout sessions on these strategies include Service Learning, Parent Involvement, Business Mentors, Out-of-School Time, and Ready for Work or School follow the panel. A complimentary luncheon provided by our sponsors follows with welcoming remarks by Mayor Pam Iorio, City of Tampa.
Graduation Pathway is free; attendees will receive lunch and program materials. Interested individuals must register online.
Graduation Pathway is underwritten by State Farm Insurance, Humana and America’s Promise. Without their generous support, it would not be possible. The Tampa Bay Business Journal is the exclusive media sponsor.
