Tomlinson helps kids catch day to remember
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Monday, May 14, 2007
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
LaDainian Tomlinson vividly remembers the day he was fishing in a Texas pond and caught his first fish.
“I froze up and didn’t know what to do,” Tomlinson said. “I didn’t know whether to pull it out of the water or reel it in. My mom and my friends were all yelling at me and they finally had to come help me pull it out. I think I was 11-years old. I had so much fun that day.”
Tomlinson took the opportunity to create such memories for a few San Diego youngsters last Thursday. In addition to seven kids who won a Vitamin Water sweepstakes through Albertson’s and XX Sports Radio, the Tomlinson’s Touching Lives Foundation hosted five kids from the Monarch School on an afternoon fishing excursion. The Monarch School provides homeless and at-risk children with an education while caring for their basic needs.
“It was a lot of fun to just get out on the boat and let the kids have a good time,” Tomlinson said. “We didn’t catch as many fish as we would have liked to, but any time you can encourage the kids a little, it’s worth it.”
Tomlinson and company spent roughly three hours cruising San Diego bay on the Shogun fishing boat. Tomlinson’s wife LaTorsha out-fished her MVP husband by landing a nice-size sand bass midway through the trip. Following the outing, Vitamin Water made a $3,000 donation to the Touching Lives Foundation.
“It’s great what Vitamin Water is doing to help kids get a tremendous fishing experience and also backing us as we try to make a difference in the lives of young people,” said Tomlinson, a shareholder in Vitamin Water who also collaborates with the brand on advertising and marketing materials.
The afternoon also included a Q&A session in which those in attendance got to quiz the NFL’s reigning MVP on a variety of subjects ranging from academics to the Chargers’ new uniform.
“It was a dream come true to get to hang out with LT,” said Michael Someck, one of the sweepstakes winners. “He was so nice to everyone. I got to talk to him for a long time and he was just so cool. It’s a day I won’t ever forget.”
The Touching Lives Foundation engages in a number of programs designed to promote educational, social and cultural awareness, positive self-esteem to enhance the lives of children, families and communities whom are less fortunate.The organization is committed to education through the “L.T. School is Cool Scholarship Program.” Tomlinson annually donates school supplies to local youth in need of assistance.
Through “L.T.’s 21 Club,” Tomlinson purchases 30 tickets to each Chargers home game so that a group of local kids can attend the game and meet the League MVP. As part of “Giving Thanks With L.T.”, Tomlinson distributes 1,400 Thanksgiving Dinners to needy families from San Diego County the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. He also gives away roughly 1,500 toys to patients at San Diego’s Children’s Hospital and Health Center during the Christmas season.
Through “L.T.’s 21 Club,” Tomlinson purchases 30 tickets to each Chargers home game so that a group of local kids can attend the game and meet the League MVP. As part of “Giving Thanks With L.T.”, Tomlinson distributes 1,400 Thanksgiving Dinners to needy families from San Diego County the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. He also gives away roughly 1,500 toys to patients at San Diego’s Children’s Hospital and Health Center during the Christmas season.
Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
A youngster poses with the sand bass she hauled in during the Vitamin Water/Touching Lives Foundation fishing outing with LaDainian Tomlinson.
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