The Steve McNair Foundation and Castle Toyota of Baltimore have teamed up to give presents to 200 area children in need who would otherwise have no gifts for Christmas.
Howard Castleman, president of the Castle Automotive Group, first decided to give back to the community during a visit to East Baltimore and some of the community centers in the area. “Having met some of these kids was an eyeopener for me,” Castleman said. “I never knew areas like that existed, with every house either boarded or grated. We live in a society that is shielded from a lot of the blight. I said to myself, ?Unless somebody gives these kids a chance, they don?t have a shot.? ”
“We?re from Mississippi and just being in East Baltimore area, it was a real culture change for us,” said Raymond White, an associate with the Steve McNair Foundation. “We saw a need, with so many kids not having mentors in that area.”
Local police officers and firefighters will be visiting and a police helicopter will be available for the kids to check out, weather permitting. Steve McNair, Ray Lewis and Adalias Thomas are scheduled to attend and Santa Claus may make an appearance as well. The party, which is by invitation only, will include 200 of the neediest children in Baltimore, chosen by area community leaders. In addition, two bicycles will be raffled off to one boy and one girl at the end of the party. Castleman is closing his dealership early for the event, which takes place Dec. 19. His 100-plus employees will be decorating in holiday splendor.
“We?re really looking forward to this. I just want to see the kids faces smile and make everybody feel good,” Castleman said. “I think the playersare doing an incredible thing by coming over and sponsoring the event with the foundation.”
