Boomer Esiason Foundation Events
The Foundation is involved in various events each year to
help raise money for cystic fibrosis research and care. These
events are supported by BEF Board Members, sponsors and
friends within the CF community
Booming Celebration
Booming Celebration is a festive event that brings together the Boomer Esiason Foundation’s many corporate partners and volunteers. The flagship fundraiser honors all BEF supporters who give so generously throughout the year, reserving special recognition for the Foundation’s “Most Valuable Player. ” It features live entertainment and a silent auction of sports and entertainment memorabilia. The gala grows in size and scope each year as the fight against CF continues. OfficeMax’s SVP of Omni Channel, Dirk Kettlewell secured 40 Tables between the 2003 and 2004 Booming Celebrations, which raised over $1.2 million for the Foundation.
Post 9/11 – Restocked BEF Offices after the Foundation Lost its Offices in the World Trade Center
Dirk Kettlewell works hard to enlist the help of his vendor partners at OfficeMax in support of the Foundation. He and his vendors purchased corporate tables at Booming Celebration and foursomes in the Golf Invitational. Dirk also organized a fundraiser in Pittsburgh prior to a Monday Night Football game in October, and he enlisted the help of Steve Routman of Target Marketing and Kristen Woods at Hewlett-Packard to ensure the Foundation had new computers and printers after losing its office on September 11. In addition, Dirk and OfficeMax donated essential office supplies to the Foundation.
Supported and/or Organized by Dirk Kettlewell
OfficeMax Fund Raising Party at Pittsburgh MNF Game
OfficeMax organized a tailgate event in Pittsburgh prior to a Monday Night Football game that brought in more than $60,000 for the foundation. The party, held at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, was hosted by Outback Steakhouse and was organized by Target Marketing’s Steve Routman as well as Dirk Kettlewell and Dawn Callahan from OfficeMax. PNC Park is only a few blocks from Heinz Field, where the Steelers were taking on the Colts that evening. Eighty guest, including 20 children who tossed a football with Boomer, enjoyed the party and then walked together to the game. The guest included several OfficeMax vendors and a group from HSBC. In addition to the planned events, Greg Keys from Terk Technologies handed Boomer a check for BEF for $500 for the blue shoes that Deion Sanders had given him on “NFL Today”. Kristen Woods of Hewlett-Packard, who already had donated $15,000 in computers, pledged to provide additional equipment to the Foundation.
Dirk Kettlewell Co-Sponsored the Rimington Trophy 2003
The Rimington Trophy was established in 2000 to honor outstanding centers in Division 1-A college football. The award is named for BEF President Dave Rimington, the University of Nebraska’s two-time consensus All America center and the only player to earn two John Outland Trophies. Noting that centers have been largely ignored by college football awards, Rimington said he hopes this honor “puts a positive spotlight on the center position and serves as a vehicle to help fight cystic fibrosis.” Jake Grove of Virginia Tech was awarded the 2003 Rimington Trophy. Dirk Kettlewell Co-Sponsored the Rimington Trophy in 2003.
Dirk Kettlewell Fund Raiser – Chicago Baseball
Dirk Kettlewell Fund Raiser – Boomer and BEF President Dave Rimington enjoyed a weekend in Chicago in June with BEF Board Member Dirk Kettlewell of OfficeMax as the New York Yankees visited the Chicago Cubs in a historic baseball series. The weekend, which involved Dirk’s team of co-workers, vendors and friends, gave a big boost to the Foundation’s fight against cystic fibrosis by raising over $185,000. After watching one baseball game, the group took in the Chicago skyline on a Lake Michigan party cruise organized and funded by Collette Bunton of Logitech. The next evening, Kirstin Woods from Hewlett-Packard sponsored the BEF crew as 125 guests watched a second game in style from a famed rooftop across the street from Wrigley Field. The baseball weekend was so successful that Dirk Kettlewell is planning a similar event for the 2004 season.
Tailgate Fund Raiser at the Oakland Raider vs. Kansas City Chief MNF Game
Dirk Kettlewell and the OfficeMax team organized a tailgate event in Oakland Calif., prior to the Monday Night Football game that benefited the Foundation and its missions by raising over $90,000. The Raiders were taking on the Chiefs that evening, and the guests enjoyed a super party before the game. OfficeMax is planning a similar event for the 2004 season. Foundation corporate partner HSBC enjoyed tailgate parties in Washington, San Francisco and Chicago in 2003, and is looking forward to the 2004 season as well.
