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CELEBRITY WEEKEND TO BENEFIT ADOPTIVE FAMILIES
Daunte Culpepper, Tommy Davidson, Sounds of Blackness, Excelsior and others
to participate in Family Reunion, Entertainment Extravaganza and Golf Tournament June 14-16
St. Paul, Minn. (June 10, 2002) - Daunte Culpepper's recent announcement that he will contribute $500,000 to the African American Adoption Agency (AAAA) is just the beginning. Culpepper and fellow adoptee Tommy Davidson, of In Living Color fame, are hosting the 2003 Celebrity Weekend June 14-16 to continue to raise funds and awareness about the need for loving homes for waiting children. According to Culpepper, "the AAAA Celebrity Weekend brings together leaders, everyday citizens, sports and entertainment figures to guarantee a positive legacy for children."
The 2003 Celebrity Weekend encapsulates three important events - for one important cause. These events will involve adoptive families, recently adopted children, celebrities, business and community leaders. The Weekend includes everything from a traditional cookout to an elegant evening at the Pantages Theatre.
Family Reunion - Saturday, June 14, 2003 - This family picnic will group more than 400 adoptive children, family members and celebrities at Hyland Lake Reserve, 10145 Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, Minn. Adopted children and their siblings will enjoy face painting, balloon sculptures, wheelbarrow races, tug-of-war and much more. Culpepper, Davidson and other celebrity athletes will lead children in football, basketball and golf demonstrations. The Family Reunion will connect families who share common adoption experiences and a powerful bond. The event schedule includes:
- 10 a.m. - Family registration begins
- 2 p.m. - Celebrity demonstrations
Entertainment Extravaganza - Sunday, June 15, 2003 - Hosted by Davidson, this evening will bring new energy to the Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Minn. The evening will be emceed by Christopher "Kid" Reid, of the rap group Kid 'N Play. Davidson will deliver a fresh comedy performance and the Midwestern debut of his band The Breeze. The evening will begin with a surprise presentation of finalization papers to a new adoptive family. Minnesota-based Excelsior Choir will provide a soulful sampling of their unconventional gospel sound. Three-time Grammy-winning Sounds of Blackness will round out the evening by shaking the house with their powerful blend of spirituals, ragtime, jazz, blues, hip-hop and R&B. The event schedule includes:
- 6 p.m. - VIP reception and silent auction
- 7:30 p.m. - Musical and comedy performances, live auction and special adoption presentation
To get involved, the general public can contact Ticketmaster at 651.989.5151 or www.ticketmaster.com .
Daunte Culpepper Celebrity Golf Classic - Monday, June 16, 2003 - The third annual Golf Classic will pair business and community leaders with celebrities at Rush Creek Golf Club, 7801 Troy Lane, Maple Grove, Minn. Players will compete in an 18-hole scrambler and special competitions to demonstrate their golf skills and commitment to Minnesota's waiting children. Golfers expected to attend include Ron Harper, Mike Merriweather, Chris Doleman, Minnesota Vikings players and many others. The event schedule includes:
- 9 a.m. - Registration
- 10 a.m. - Shot-gun start
The 2003 Celebrity Weekend is sponsored by Time Warner Cable, Timber Lodge Steakhouse, Reebok, The Kellogg Foundation and Coca Cola.
The Cause
AAAA, Culpepper and Davidson are committed to finding permanent homes for the more than 400 children of color currently waiting in Minnesota foster homes. According to AAAA executive director Marquita Stephens, "the disparity has reached a crisis state." African American children represent 5 percent of Minnesota's population under age 18, according to U.S. Census 2000 data. At the same time, nearly 60 percent of the children waiting for permanent homes are children of color, according to Minnesota's Department of Human Services.
AAAA is Minnesota's only non-profit agency designed to move children of color from foster care to permanent families. For more than 14 years, the organization has shared the message that potential parents do not need to be wealthy, married or a homeowner to adopt - they simply need to make a life-long commitment to a child. From 1998 to 2002, AAAA placed more than 300 children in forever families. In 2002, AAAA received an Adoption Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recognizing the agency for its outstanding public awareness efforts.
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