Mike McKenzie and Antwan Barnes teamed together to raise funds and community awareness for McKenzie’s 34 Ways Foundation, which helps inner city youth by providing resources to help enrich their lives. The two football greats planned a weekend of fun and invited several of their NFL friends and Celebrities to participate in the festivities.
The weekend kicked off on Friday June 3, with a bowling extravaganza at Sparez Bowling Alley in Davie Florida. Bowlers donated a minimum of $15.00 to bowl, eat and drink.
Saturday, June 4th, the Celebrity Basketball game was held at the Miami Norland Senior High school gymnasium. The crowd cheered on their favorite celebs which included Willis McGahee, Daunte Culpepper, and several current and former NFL players, who squared off to play an exciting game of basketball for a great cause! McKenzie’s 34 Ways team won the game. In attendance at the game was Chad OchoCinco, Councilman Oliver Gilbert, and 2011 Miss Miami Gardens, Janey Tate. The players graciously took pictures with fans and signed autographs.
On Sunday, June 5th, McKenzie and Barnes conducted an intensive and interactive football camp at the Betty T. Recreational Complex in Miami Gardens. Participating youth learned the fundamentals of the sport which included technique, strategy and good sportsmanship. McKenzie and Barnes especially enjoyed this event because it allowed them to interact with the children in the community and be role models if only for one day.
Both players are natives of Miami Gardens and wanted to demonstrate their commitment to the City and host the majority of the weekend’s events in the City of Miami Gardens in order really give back to the community and create goodwill for the community that supported them when they were young athletes.
McKenzie firmly believes in a strong community and knows events like this help to strengthen the community and provide hope to young aspiring athletes. His vision is that these youth will develop into mature adults one day and whether they become athletes or not, hopefully they will give back to the community who supported them.
McKenzie plans to make this an annual event and make it bigger and better each year.
