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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Devard Darling, Austin High alum turned NFL player will plans to raise $50,000 for sickle cell education at the 5th Annual As One Foundation Water Gala Charity Auction to be held 6:30-9:30pm (Central), Thursday, May 14, 2015 at Classic Chrevrolet Sugar Land, 13115 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478.
The As One Foundation’s Water Gala Charity Auction is a signature event benefiting the foundation’s programs including the Devard and Devaughn Darling Scholarship Award and Operation Hydration – a public awareness program that promotes hydration and sickle cell education.
Attendees in business-casual attire will experience a festive evening of local cuisine, entertainment, including a silent and live auction of items such as a Lexus Luxury Golf Package, NFL Tickets, Autographed Memorabilia, Vacation Packages, etc. Attendees will also witness the Darling Heart to Heart Award presented to a deserving Houstonian in recognition of their heartfelt contribution to the surrounding community, while rubbing shoulders with current and former NFL players, including former Texan, Chester Pitts. The event is open to the public at $50 per admission which, includes one drink ticket. Reservations can be made in advance (preferred) online at http://www.asonefoundation.org/auction/ or purchased at the door.
The Darling Heart to Heart Award honors an outstanding citizen of the Houston area for the heartfelt positive impact they make on the community – especially in the areas of Education, Athletics and Spiritual Enrichment.
About the As One Foundation
The As One Foundation takes its name from the fact that the doctor had been hearing two hearts beating As One while their mother carried them, unaware she was having twins. Devard lives on to fulfill his and his brother’s shared dream to play professional
football and to give back to both their homes – Houston, Texas and their native Bahamas. This dream became official in 2007 when the As One Foundation was established as a public charity with the mission to educate and increase awareness of sickle cell trait while encouraging youth to achieve their dreams in the face of life’s challenges.
About Operation Hydration
On February 26, 2001, 18 year old, Devaughn Darling lost his life due to exhaustion during spring football practice at Florida State University. Both twins carry the sickle cell trait, which alone is no real threat to the 8% of people of color in America born with the trait, but coupled with physical rigor and lack of hydration, could be fatal. Devaughn’s death was preventable. Operation Hydration promotes sickle cell awareness and encourages hydration as prevention of athletic or fitness related death – especially in sickle cell trait carriers.
About Devard Darling
Devard Darling, the founder and visionary of the As One Foundation and a former National Football League (NFL) wide receiver. A native of Nassau, Bahamas, Darling is one of the first Bahamian athletes to play professional football in the United States.
Devard learned how to play American football with his brother Devaughn Darling when their family moved to Houston, Texas in 1994. He began his athletic career at Florida State University as one of the top high school prospects out of Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston, Texas. However, after the tragic passing of his identical twin brother Devaughn on the football field during spring practices in 2001, Florida State University would not reinstate Darling for his remaining eligibility. After being connected with Mike Price, former Head Coach of the Washington State University Cougars, Darling was cleared to play and became one of the best wide receivers in Washington State history, recording 16 touchdowns and over 1500 yards in just two years. In 2004, Darling was selected by the Baltimore Ravens 82nd overall in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft. He later played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Omaha Nighthawks, and Houston Texans, before retiring after the 2011 season.
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Devard continues to pursue his goals as a financial advisor to athletes at Altruista while bringing to life the dream envisioned by he and his brother Devaughn: to bring the game of American football to their native country of the Bahamas. Darling established the “As One Foundation” in honor of his brother and plans to open a state-of-the-art sports facility in his memory called The Devaughn Darling Sports Complex.
To donate or sponsor, purchase tickets or for more information on the As One Foundation or the Water Gala Charity Auction, contact Executive Director, Tomia Austin by emailing Tomia@AsOneFoundation.org or phoning 914-625-8712 or Event Chair, Georgia Keating by phoning 713-829-9518 or emailing Georgia@AsOneFoundation.org or visit www.AsOneFoundation.org.
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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