University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC's Vonnie Holliday Named in the Top 10 Black Celebrity Philanthropists of 2010
January 11, 2011 | Football
Jan. 11, 2011
Charlotte (NC) - Blackgivesback.com recently released its Fourth Annual Top 10 Black Celebrity Philanthropists of 2010 and UNC's Vonnie Holliday was among those honored.
Holliday graduated UNC in 1998 and was a key part of the UNC Tar Heels defensive unit from 1994 - 1998, holding the co-captain position in the 1997-98 season. He is a 13-year NFL veteran currently playing defensive end for the Washington Redskins. He beat out big names like Russell Simmons, Mary J. Blige and Usher to claim the number 2 spot on the list. Only Antwan "Big Boi" Patton, one half of the Grammy-award winning hip-hop duo OutKast, fared better than Holliday.
Holliday's efforts to raise money to support brain cancer research were among the reasons Holliday was selected. Said one voter of Holliday: "Vonnie Holliday is always going the extra mile to help in his community as well as giving donations to help worthy causes! He is more than a philanthropist, he is a blessing!"
"It is definitely an honor to be named one of the top 10 black philanthropists of 2010," said Holliday. "I don't do this work for the awards or recognition, but it feels good to be acknowledged. I will continue my work and look forward to your support."
Holliday says he is planning several fundraising events, including a golf outing to raise funds to support bringing Boys and Girls Club programming to his hometown of Camden, S.C., and an online giving campaign around Valentine's Day to continue his efforts to raise much needed funds to support brain cancer research. Details on these initiatives will be posted to his foundation website - www.vonniehollidayfoundation.org - on January 15.
About Vonnie Holliday
Vonnie Holliday has played with the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos. He is known throughout the league as a leader on and off the field. In 2001, he founded The Vonnie Holliday Foundation to improve the quality of life of citizens in underserved communities by donating time and monetary resources. Since its inception, the Foundation has improved the lives of those in many communities. Holliday is determined through the Foundation, to give back to the community that has given him so much and officially introduced the Atlanta community to his foundation in 2010. For more information, visit www.vonniehollidayfoundation.org.
About Blackgivesback.com
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