As the saying goes, “to whom much is given, much is expected.” That’s exactly what motivated Miami Dolphins Defensive End Charles Harris, who just completed his first season in the NFL. Harris recently returned to his hometown to make a generous donation to his high school, where he got his start.
The 2013 Lincoln College Preparatory Academy alumnus donated $100,000 towards the renovation and resurfacing of the school’s football field.
The donation complements a $250,000 grant funded through the National Football League Grassroots Program, a partnership with the NFL Foundation and LISC. The program has provided $46 million in support for the renovation and construction of more than 300 football fields in NFL communities around the country since its inception in 1998. Other recent schools who have benefited from this partnership between the Kansas City Chiefs and LISC include Northeast High School and University Academy.
Kansas City Public Schools hosted a groundbreaking ceremony, in conjunction with the school district’s 150-year anniversary commemoration featuring Harris, Superintendent Mark Bedell, school players and others.
Construction begins soon on the state-of-the-art field which will serve as a long overdue resource in the surrounding community. LISC Executive Director Stephen Samuels explains that “not only will Lincoln’s athletes train and compete on the new turf, community youth organizations will also sharpen their skills on this competitive surface. This is truly a public health asset.”