Join the Sports Ambassadors in the "$93-A-Night" effort!
Six athletes from the Washington D.C. Metro area want to tell you about The Children's Inn, the courageous families that make it "a place like home," and how you can help!
The Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health is a "place like home" for families with children who are seriously ill. Children come from across the country and around the world to stay together with their families in a healing environment while receiving groundbreaking medical treatments at the NIH. To learn more about The Children's Inn at NIH, please click here. How You Can Help: "$93-A-Night" The goal for the campaign is $400,000, which will cover the stays of over 1,400 families who will travel to The Inn this year. Your donations count toward this goal!
To make a donation over the phone, please call 1-800-338-9217.
*The "$93-A-Night" campaign supports our endowment and allows families to stay at The Inn free of charge for as long as they need. Questions? Please contact Fern Stone at 301-451-9453 or stonefj@mail.nih.gov. Information for Media
Sports Ambassador Campaign Media Partners We would like to thank the following media partners for their assistance and generosity in supporting the Sports Ambassador Campaign:
The Sports Ambassador Campaign would also not be possible without the generous support of Formula Sports & Entertainment Group:
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Washington Redskins Quarterback Mark Brunell has established himself as one of the top players at his position in the NFL during his 14 seasons in the league. Known for his deft passing ability as well as his ability to tuck the ball and run, Brunell is a playmaker. He adds experience and a winning character and attitude to the Redskins offense. During his career, he has completed 2,738-of-4,595 passes for 31,826 yards and 182 touchdowns. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection (1996, '97 and '99). Prior to the Redskins, Brunell played for the Jacksonville Jaguars for nine seasons (1995-2003) and set 43 team records. Brunell has also distinguished himself in the community, receiving the 2007 Father of the Year award from the National Fatherhood Initiative. He and his wife Stacy have four children and in 1997, they established the Brunell Family Foundation, which has raised nearly $800,000 for children's charities. 
Washington Mystics shooting guard Alana Beard, from Shreveport, LA, is one of the top players in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Beard, 26, is known for her contagious smile and ambitious attitude, and has amassed an impressive array of awards with the Mystics and during her college career at Duke, which included graduating with a degree in Sociology. Recognized as one of the best college basketball players in recent history, she finished her four-year Duke reign as the all-time points leader for both men and women. In addition, she was the only female Blue Devil ever to have her jersey retired, and was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2004. Beard was an integral part of the USA Basketball Women's World Championship team in 2006, and helped lead the team to a Bronze medal. Now in her fifth season with the Mystics, Beard is a three-time WNBA All-Star (2005, 2006, 2007) and last season ranked fourth in the league for scoring (18.9) and steals (1.94). 
Now in his fourth season with the D.C. United, midfielder Christian Gomez has established himself as one of Major League Soccer's (MLS) brightest stars. In 2006 he was selected as an MLS All-Star for the second consecutive year and as the league's Most Valuable Player. Last season Gomez continued to flourish and recorded career highs in goals (14) and assists (11). In Gomez's first full season with the D.C. United (2005), he helped lead the team to its fourth MLS Cup Championship. Gomez, 32, was born in Argentina and began playing professional soccer when he was 17. A dynamic player on the field, Gomez is also recognized on the team for his humility and affability. 
Olie Kolzig is a goaltender for the Washington Capitals, who just completed his 17th professional season. Originally from South Africa, Kolzig is one of seven active goalies with 250-plus wins in his career. He hold the Capitals goaltending career records in wins (254), ties (63), games played (603), minutes (34,921), save percentage (.907), shots against (16,679), saves (15,131), shutouts (33) and assists (12). Kolzig played in two NHL All-Star games (1998, 2000) and was named to the postseason NHL First All-Star team in 1999-00. In 2006, Kolzig won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership on and off the ice and in 2001 he received the NHL Foundation Award for his community relations efforts. He is the founder of the Carson Kolzig Foundation, named after his son, and is one of the co-founders of Athletes Against Autism, an initiative of Cure Autism Now.
Nicknamed "Chief,” Chad Cordero is a reliever for the Washington Nationals. He is from Chino, Calif. and played college baseball at Cal-State Fullerton, where he majored in kinesiology. In 2003, Cordero recorded 34 saves to lead all active college pitchers, earned first-team All-Big West honors and was named a third-team All America by Collegiate Baseball. In 2003, Cordero was drafted by the Expos as the 20th overall pick in the amateur draft. He then became the first ever Expos draft pick to reach the Majors the same year of his selection. Cordero has since established himself as one of the league’s top relievers. In 2005, at age 23, he became the youngest reliever to have a 40-save season and went on to lead the entire league with 47 saves. Cordero was also named to the 2005 All-Star team.
Caron Butler, 27, is a spectacular All-Star Forward for the NBA's Washington Wizards. Born and raised in Racine, Washington, Butler overcame a troubled childhood to become a rising star of the National Basketball Association. Entering his sixth season, Butler has dedicated himself to giving back to the community. As a teen, Butler was arrested 15 times before the age of 15. It was in a detention center where Butler discovered his skill and passion for basketball. After his release, he made a personal commitment to stay out of trouble and excel on the court. His career began with a scholarship from University of Connecticut with well-known basketball coach Jim Calhoun to play for the UConn Huskies. Butler had an outstanding career and was drafted 10th overall by the Miami Heat in 2002. Butler has helped lead the Washington Wizards to consecutive playoff appearances in 2006 and 2007 and was voted onto the 2007 Eastern Conference All-Star team. Although he has become one of the most successful players in the NBA, Butler has never forgotten his difficult childhood and remains committed to his hometown. He and his wife Andrea Butler have organized several programs to benefit Wisconsin youth. 
In one of his last public appearances as a Washington Redskin, Mark Brunell, the popular longtime Quarterback, huddles with youngsters at The Children’s Inn during an afternoon of football fun. Mark was The Inn’s first Sports Ambassador and distinguished himself with his trademark wit, intelligence and spontaneity. The children at The Inn wish him well in the NFL and remain devoted fans and admirers.
