Giving to Make a Difference for Kids
At 6 feet, 5 inches, and 340 pounds, Cincinnati Bengals tackle Willie Anderson is a big guy. But he has a soft spot in his heart for the children and families who come to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for care. That's why he supports the important work of the medical center.
"I visited the hospital years ago and saw the effect that Cincinnati Children's has on kids and families. I want to give to people who are doing good work," says Willie, who was the Bengals team nominee in 2004 for the NFL/Walter Payton Man of the Year Award honoring combined excellence both on and off the field.
Willie was introduced to Cincinnati Children's in the late 1990s, a few years after joining the Bengals, when he sponsored and attended Halloween and Christmas parties for patients. On a recent visit, he was impressed with the medical center's outstanding facilities and staff. "The kids are happy. Even though there are some kids in some big situations, it's surprising how well they handle it. I think that's because the staff gives them an environment to make them comfortable. The kids feel they have somebody going through the ordeal with them. And the parents appreciate it," Willie explains.
Well-known for his charitable activities, Willie hopes his support encourages others to give to Cincinnati Children's. "It's a lot more than professional athletes and entertainers who can give and make an impact on kids' lives," he says. "It's an old cliché, but kids are our future, and they're all we have."
