Charitable foundation targeting youngsters in need remains close to Eric Mangini's heart.
Eric Mangini didn't repeat his "road trip" for rookies to his Hartford youth football camp, but his commitment to the youngsters of his old hometown remains strong.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If Eric Mangini had to do it over again, he would not have asked his Browns rookies to make the 10-hour bus trip from Cleveland to Hartford for his charity football camp in 2009.
But this is his only regret about the football camp at Bulkeley High, his alma mater in Hartford's inner city.
The camp is a wonderful weekend event in early June. As the Hartford Currant wrote: "His ninth annual fundamentals and skills camp was held Saturday at Bulkeley High, and it featured 820 high school-aged players ... from 80 high schools and five states. Some 120 coaches from different levels and more than 100 volunteers came together to make the sweltering humid day a good experience for the campers, from drill and fundamental work in the morning to seven-on-seven scrimmages in the afternoon."
When Mangini asked his rookies last season to help, it was not because he needed people to coach. He thought "it would be a good experience for them -- about giving back."
The intent was pure, the plan was poor. While the cost of the camp was $45, many participants took part for free.
This time, it was pure Mangini carrying on the tradition of his father, Carmine, and uncle Frank Mangini. They are the inspiration for the CFM foundation, with the football camp being only a small piece.
The foundation has given out 124 computers over the last nine years to students heading to school. They need to show financial need, academic success and community service.
The foundation also gives $500 grants to teachers for special projects. It could be for equipment, or a field trip, or something else.
One of the winners was a special-needs class that used the money to buy knitting equipment -- and then sold what the students made. Another winner used the money for a trip and seminar with people from NASA.
"It's more academic-driven than just about sports," said Mangini.
The inspiration came from a third-grader named Kelsey, who day after day showed up for school in pajamas. He was in Mangini's sister-in-law's class. Mangini heard about it, and paid for Laura Dulac to take her student to the store for school clothes.
At the time, Mangini was an assistant coach with New England.
"The foundation is open to anyone who wants to apply for a grant," said Mangini. "We would like to do something in the Cleveland area."
For more information, go to cfmfoundation.com