Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tribute to Phillip Post
from Redskins Blog
Chris Cooley's two-day football camp this weekend was a success, not just at teaching the fundamentals of football to the students, but as a tribute to a Redskins fan.When 28 year-old Phillip Post II died in a car accident a year ago, his family received money to help pay for the funeral -- a funeral, it should be noted, where the deceased was laid to rest in a Redskins jersey. And when there was still money left over, Post's parents decided to use it how they believed their son would want: to send seventeen kids to learn football from Chris Cooley. FOX-5 has the details:
More from Rick Maese
Chris Cooley's two-day football camp this weekend was a success, not just at teaching the fundamentals of football to the students, but as a tribute to a Redskins fan.When 28 year-old Phillip Post II died in a car accident a year ago, his family received money to help pay for the funeral -- a funeral, it should be noted, where the deceased was laid to rest in a Redskins jersey. And when there was still money left over, Post's parents decided to use it how they believed their son would want: to send seventeen kids to learn football from Chris Cooley. FOX-5 has the details:
"I know he would have loved this," Mr. Post said aloud. "Oh yeah," rejoined his wife, "He'd want to BE here, but..."Mr. Post squeezed his wife's side, and added after a few seconds of silence: "He is here. He's here through all of us."
More from Rick Maese
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Art Show Press Release
LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA – Washington Redskins All-Pro Tight End Chris Cooley will auction artwork to raise funds for education at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner this Friday, June 4, 2010 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Cooley, an art major at Utah State University, will auction his own original paintings, drawings, and pottery to raise funds for underserved students through the Chris Cooley Education Fund. A general admission ticket to the Chris Cooley Art Show is $35/individual. A VIP admission ticket to the show is $75/individual. To reserve your ticket to this inaugural event, visit www.thecooleyzone.com
Established in 2008, the Cooley Education Fund provides college scholarships to low-income, high-potential high school seniors throughout the greater Washington, DC region. In its inaugural year, the fund provided eight students each with college scholarship worth $25,000.00. These bright and dedicated students now have the opportunity to pursue a higher education and reach the goals they have set for themselves.
During his time in Washington, Cooley has created a gallery full of artwork including over 20 paintings and 250 pieces of pottery. The art show will feature pieces that are available for sale as well as auction to provide guests not only with a wide-variety of artwork, but also a broad-range of prices.
In addition to the artwork, Cooley’s teammates and coaches will support his cause by donating and auctioning a variety of Redskins memorabilia, including autographed jerseys, footballs, and helmets.
“Every single dollar raised from selling my art will be donated back to the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation; subsequently going into my education fund and scholarships to underprivileged kids,” says Cooley. “I thought doing something I love and am interested in would be so much more real for the public.”
The general admission ticket ($35/individual) includes entry into the event, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and an open beer and wine bar. The VIP admission ticket ($75/individual) includes all amenities included in the general admission price as well as entry into a private VIP reception with Chris Cooley and other Redskins players (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm). Visit www.thecooleyzone.com to reserve your ticket today! Tickets are tax-deductible.
The Chris Cooley Education Fund is another initiative developed and funded by Cooley and implemented with the assistance of the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and Community Relations Department. In July 2008, Cooley invited nearly two dozen little fans battling big diseases to a special Training Camp practice where he surprised them each with a duffel bag full of gifts, including a handheld game system, games, and Redskins memorabilia as well as the quality time with the entire Redskins team. In September of last year, Cooley, along with teammate Derrick Dockery, hosted the second annual All Star Survivors Luncheon for approximately 20 women currently battling breast cancer at Redskins Park to provide them a day of pampering that included lunch, a player-led tour, and a new wig, scarf, turban, bag of makeup, and pair of jeans along with tickets to the Redskins vs. Buccaneers game where the women stood beside the Redskins cheerleaders to welcome the players onto the field.
The college scholarships, administered by the DC College Success Foundation (www.dccollegesuccessfoundation.org), will provide one deserving student at each of the 8 schools Cooley visits with a college scholarship that will be disbursed in $5,000 increments annually. The DC College Success Foundation has established a strong working scholarship model that places scholarship recipients in a mentoring program that requires the student to work with a mentor during their freshman year to help ensure success.
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The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, the nonprofit philanthropic arm of the team combines the influence and popularity of the Washington Redskins with the resources and assets of Washington area corporations. Founded by Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder, the Charitable Foundation is guided by its Leadership Council that consists of CEOs who help shape and define the philanthropic efforts of the Redskins to achieve a measurable impact on youth development in the areas of education, community outreach, and health and wellness. Visit www.Redskins.com and click on Community for more information.
Established in 2008, the Cooley Education Fund provides college scholarships to low-income, high-potential high school seniors throughout the greater Washington, DC region. In its inaugural year, the fund provided eight students each with college scholarship worth $25,000.00. These bright and dedicated students now have the opportunity to pursue a higher education and reach the goals they have set for themselves.
During his time in Washington, Cooley has created a gallery full of artwork including over 20 paintings and 250 pieces of pottery. The art show will feature pieces that are available for sale as well as auction to provide guests not only with a wide-variety of artwork, but also a broad-range of prices.
In addition to the artwork, Cooley’s teammates and coaches will support his cause by donating and auctioning a variety of Redskins memorabilia, including autographed jerseys, footballs, and helmets.
“Every single dollar raised from selling my art will be donated back to the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation; subsequently going into my education fund and scholarships to underprivileged kids,” says Cooley. “I thought doing something I love and am interested in would be so much more real for the public.”
The general admission ticket ($35/individual) includes entry into the event, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and an open beer and wine bar. The VIP admission ticket ($75/individual) includes all amenities included in the general admission price as well as entry into a private VIP reception with Chris Cooley and other Redskins players (6:00 pm – 7:00 pm). Visit www.thecooleyzone.com to reserve your ticket today! Tickets are tax-deductible.
The Chris Cooley Education Fund is another initiative developed and funded by Cooley and implemented with the assistance of the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and Community Relations Department. In July 2008, Cooley invited nearly two dozen little fans battling big diseases to a special Training Camp practice where he surprised them each with a duffel bag full of gifts, including a handheld game system, games, and Redskins memorabilia as well as the quality time with the entire Redskins team. In September of last year, Cooley, along with teammate Derrick Dockery, hosted the second annual All Star Survivors Luncheon for approximately 20 women currently battling breast cancer at Redskins Park to provide them a day of pampering that included lunch, a player-led tour, and a new wig, scarf, turban, bag of makeup, and pair of jeans along with tickets to the Redskins vs. Buccaneers game where the women stood beside the Redskins cheerleaders to welcome the players onto the field.
The college scholarships, administered by the DC College Success Foundation (www.dccollegesuccessfoundation.org), will provide one deserving student at each of the 8 schools Cooley visits with a college scholarship that will be disbursed in $5,000 increments annually. The DC College Success Foundation has established a strong working scholarship model that places scholarship recipients in a mentoring program that requires the student to work with a mentor during their freshman year to help ensure success.
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The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, the nonprofit philanthropic arm of the team combines the influence and popularity of the Washington Redskins with the resources and assets of Washington area corporations. Founded by Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder, the Charitable Foundation is guided by its Leadership Council that consists of CEOs who help shape and define the philanthropic efforts of the Redskins to achieve a measurable impact on youth development in the areas of education, community outreach, and health and wellness. Visit www.Redskins.com and click on Community for more information.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Congrats to Lee Dewyze
by Rick Maese
If you were trying to call Chris Cooley Tuesday night and had a difficult time getting through, there's a reason: He was busy texting in his "American Idol" vote.
"I think I voted or text-messaged 20 times last night," Cooley said. "It may be pretty lame, but I sat with my wife, voted and did my part."
The winner of the televised singing competition will be revealed Wednesday night, but Cooley and his wife, Christy, have been in the bag for Lee DeWyze since early in the season. Watching the show is a weekly ritual for the couple.
"Christy is die hard. But I watch it with her," he said. "If I miss it and someone's good or something happens, she'll TiVo it and make me watch it the next day."
The final performances were on Monday night and the final-round voting will be revealed Wednesday, along with the winner.
"[Christy] was really nervous for him last night. I don't know if Lee did that good, so she was nervous," Cooley said. "I was like, 'Sweetie, it's just a TV show'."
Cooley explained that his small household drastically changed its voting philosophy this year.
"We've been watching for a few years, so we decided you have to pick someone early and vote for just them. You can't spread your votes," Cooley said. "The first couple of years, we spread them out and people we liked were getting knocked out. We were like, 'shoot, we can't give him and him and him all votes.' So we consolidated. We went with Lee."
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Cooleys Rally for the Cure 2
On May 16, 2010, it will be two years since I learned that I had Stage 3 breast cancer – invasive ductile carcinoma. I actually received the call on a Friday – a week before Chris and Christy’s wedding – on my way to work. It’s hard to even think about the treatments and surgeries that I have gone through during this time. It started out with four months of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, 30 days of radiation, DIEP Flap reconstruction, and two more surgeries after that to complete the reconstruction. I have undergone around 25 hours of surgeries, spent nine days in the hospital, and have gone to a doctor over one hundred times. I missed 52 days of school last year. I am a high school business teacher. Like I said, it’s hard to think about. Hard to believe that I did all of this, but now, thanks to my amazing doctors, family, friends, and students, I am cancer free and back to enjoying life.Last April, Chris, Tanner, and I hosted the first annual Cooley’s for the Cure event and raised over $27,000 for Relay for Life. The second annual Cooley’s for the Cure event will be held next Tuesday, May 18, at Caliente – a new Mexican restaurant in Ashburn, Virginia. The cost is $50 per person. All profits go to Eastern Loudoun Relay for Life Briar Woods FBLA team, which I am the adviser for. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and will go until around 8:30 p.m. Food and drinks (non-alcoholic) will be provided. There will be a cash bar. There will also be a live auction by Chris and others – including Redskin’s players. The auction will include Redskin’s memorabilia, gift baskets, salon treatments, weekend get-away, sports club membership, pottery by Chris Cooley, and more. We will also be having some drawings for other fun items – including two tickets to Chris’ upcoming art show next month at the Ritz in Tyson’s Corner.I hope that you will be able to join me and my family and friends for this wonderful, fun event. Last year it was such a huge success! We had guests including Chief Z, Clinton Portis, Colt Brenen, Jason Campbell, Chris Horton, Albert Haynesworth, Danny Smith, and more. It’s a great time to hang out, get autographs, purchase items, and win drawings.
During the past two years, I have met many women who are battling cancer – Kathy, Noel, Regina, Karin, and Kim. These are five women who reached out to me after learning that they had breast cancer. They are all mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives. I’m so grateful that they too have successfully battled cancer so far. There are so many more people, not just women that are battling cancer. We need an end to this madness!!
Yesterday was Mother’s Day, and I am so thankful that I was here to spend it with my family. Without the treatments that I received to fight cancer, I’m not sure if I would have been here. I am so blessed to have such amazing sons and am so proud to be their mother. Please help us to raise money to continue the fight against this horrible disease. Tickets can be purchased from this website – thecooleyzone.com, the night of at Caliente’s. If you would like to donate, but are not able to attend, please go to my personal Relay for Life page.Friday, May 7, 2010
Art Show Back On
The art show that was canceled last year is back on. Details are on the flyer and you can purchase tickets via the paypal button on the right or in this post.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
My Floyd Mayweather Interview
Just reposting this for fun because of the fight tonight.
Who will win?
Who will win?
