Patriots DE Chris Long Celebrates Super Bowl Win with His 17th Waterboys Well
Long's Waterboys Initiative raised $21,744 towards its "Super Bowl Well" in less than one week.
Boston, MA, February 7, 2017 (Newswire.com) - The Chris Long Foundation announced today that its cornerstone initiative, Waterboys, raised over $20,000 in just six days leading up to Super Bowl LI for the construction of the its 17th well in East Africa.
NFL fans around the world joined in the Waterboys’ campaign to make Super Bowl Sunday more than just about football and were encouraged to give $9.95 in honor of the New England Patriots’ ninth Super Bowl appearance and the first for Waterboys founder Chris Long, who dons jersey No. 95. Fans contributed a total of $21,744 during the week-long campaign, which not only completed funding of Well #17, but also 20 percent of Well #18. In celebration of Long’s Super Bowl championship and the giving spirit of football fans everywhere, Well #17 will be commemorated as the “Waterboys Super Bowl Well.”
"Winning the Super Bowl was one of the greatest moments of my life, but to cap it all off with enough funds to build our 17th well is surreal. I am eternally grateful to all of the fans that came together to support me during my Super Bowl journey and help further the mission of Waterboys."
Chris Long, Founder
“Winning the Super Bowl was one of the greatest moments of my life, but to cap it all off with enough funds to build our 17th well is surreal,” Long said. “I am eternally grateful to all of the fans that came together to support me during my Super Bowl journey and help further the mission of Waterboys.”
Since The Chris Long Foundation launched Waterboys in August of 2015, over $965,000 has been raised, resulting in the funding of 16 wells in East Africa. Fourteen wells are already completed with the remaining two wells to be completed by summer 2017.
Fans can still get involved and support the Waterboys mission to transform communities through the gift of clean water at www.waterboys.org.
For more information, media should contact Nicole Woodie at (786) 863-7096 or [email protected].
About Waterboys:
Waterboys began during a 2013 trip by Long to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Long was struck by the beauty of Tanzania and the vibrancy of its people; he also witnessed great suffering due to a lack of clean water. While in Tanzania, Long met Doug Pitt, Goodwill Ambassador for Tanzania, and John Bongiorno, President of the non-profit WorldServe International, and was further educated on the needs and available solutions to the clean water crisis.
Returning home, Long began to envision a pathway to champion the need for clean water in East Africa while engaging other NFL players in the cause. In 2015, Long created the Waterboys Initiative, selecting WorldServe International as its benefiting charity. Waterboys will work with WorldServe International to build wells to provide life-giving water and all that comes from it – the opportunity for education, good health, and economic stability. There are currently 12 “Waterboys,” including Long, who are committed to the effort.
Twitter: @WaterboysOrg
Instagram: @WaterboysOrg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/waterboysorg
About the Chris Long Foundation:
The mission of The Chris Long Foundation is to support bright futures for communities and the individuals that make up those communities. We believe borders do not limit caring about our fellow neighbors. We engage in both international and domestic programs focused around clean water, military appreciation, homelessness and youth. Our programs strive to generate impactful results by creating opportunities and providing resources, financial support and meaningful experiences to those we serve.
About Chris Long:
Chris Long is currently playing his ninth season in the NFL, and his first as a defensive end for the New England Patriots. The first and only active University of Virginia football player to have his number retired, Long's record in the NFL is also impressive. Drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Long has accumulated 55.5 career sacks (40.5 of them during a 4-year span from 2010-2013). The former second overall draft pick is a four-time Pro Bowl alternate.
Long was born in Santa Monica, Calif. into a football family. The son of Diane Long and Pro Football Hall of Famer and NFL broadcaster Howie Long, Long grew up in Charlottesville, Va. along with his two brothers: Kyle, Pro Bowl guard for the Chicago Bears and Howie Jr., Oakland Raiders player personnel executive. In 2013, he married his wife, Megan; in 2016, they welcomed their first child, Waylon.
Source: The Chris Long Foundation
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Tags: Africa, Charity, Clean Water, New England Patriots, NFL, Patriots, Super Bowl, Wells
