The Harrington Family Foundation

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Four people anxious to make a difference have led to $85,354 in cash donations and hundreds of pounds of emergency supplies from the Detroit Lions and Ford Field to help the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Lions' cornerback Fernando Bryant, the team's Robert Porcher Man of the Year, wanted to get his teammates involved by collecting funds for the American Red Cross.

Jamie DeVries, wife of Lions' defensive lineman Jared DeVries, sought ways that the Lions could get involved after learning of relief efforts from WJBK Fox 2's Jennifer Hammond.

Lions' equipment manager Tim O'Neill received an urgent plea from his counterpart at Louisiana State University, Greg Stringfellow, about the emergency needs for evacuees pouring into the relocation center in Baton Rouge.

"He (the equipment manager at LSU, Greg Stringfellow) was overwhelmed with everything going on down there, reached out to fellow equipment managers and football people that he knew for assistance," said O'Neill "They are desperate. He was saying anything we have that we could give, even if it was old socks that we would throw out, t-shirts, mesh shorts, anything really. It got through the organization, to the players, Coach Mariucci, (Senior Director of Community Affairs) Tim Pendell, and it was well received and the guys did a great job."

The team understood the importance of doing something of significant magnitude, and they reacted accordingly.

"Coach Mariucci and Tim Pendell talked to the guys and it was almost electric in the meeting room. Guys wanted to step up. I think it gave everybody a reality check of how fortunate we are and they are and how they felt it was really on them to reach out," said O'Neill.

And, Vince Soulsby, a private citizen eager to help in any way he could, initiated a donations drive in Roseville --- a drive that has drawn an amazing response from throughout Metro Detroit.

Lions' head coach Steve Maruicci called a team meeting Saturday (September 3) and challenged the team, coaches and staff, asking "What are we going to do to help?"

The results?

The Lions and Ford Field raised $85,354 in cash donations and hundreds of pounds of clothing and emergency supplies. Nearly $46,000 was used to purchase supplies for the evacuees in Baton Rouge and another $29,000 was raised for the American Red Cross. Completing the donations, Lions' quarterback Joey Harrington gave another $10,000 to help pay for the gas for the semi-trucks and food for the drivers transporting the supplies to Louisiana.

"It is amazing how things came together. Four people with great ideas and sincere desires to help --- Fernando, Jamie, Tim and Vince --- came together to really do something extraordinary," said Lions' senior director of community Affairs Tim Pendell. "The Lions and Ford Field families combined their efforts and resources, and hopefully we will help make a difference."

Harrington, Bryant and Jared and Jamie DeVries with their young sons Jaylen and Easton joined several other Lions' personnel on a shopping spree today (Tuesday, September 6th) at Costco Wholesale in Bloomfield Township, Mich. Manager Steven Chamberlain and his staff pulled together tons of items that were targeted as urgent needs by LSU's Stringfellow to be packed on trucks for the trip to Baton Rouge.

Several hours and $45,954 later, three trucks donated by Central Michigan Movers were loaded with supplies ready for the trip to Baton Rouge. Bottled water, paper goods, toiletries, pet food, children's clothing, and baby food headed a cash register list that ran nearly six-foot long when the spree ended.

"Costco has been a great community partner of the Lions for years," said Pendell. "When the need arose we knew that Costco would pull out all of the stops to help, and it did."

Soulsby and his many supporters will lead a caravan of approximately 15 trucks to Baton Rouge, leaving Roseville at 7:00 tomorrow (Wednesday, September 7th) morning. Eighteen to 20 hours later, the trucks will be in Baton Rouge and the supplies will begin getting to the evacuees. The long road back for many displaced Gulf Coast evacuees may begin.

The story does not end there. Volunteers from the American Red Cross will be at the Ford Field gates Sunday (September 11th) to accept cash donations from fans attending the Lions-Packers season-opener. Red Cross volunteers will accept monetary donations (cash or checks made out to "American Red Cross" and earmarked for "Hurricane Katrina Relief"). No supply donations are being sought.

Four people had great ideas and the best of intentions. Ordinary people often can do extraordinary things