Deandre Baker Kicks off the Baker Foundation With "Dre Day"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac9gxwHpgeU&feature=youtu.be
A year ago, Andre Baker talked about the importance that his son makes an impact on their native Miami community.
“We promote charity in our family,” the elder Baker said then. “You got to give back, and [Deandre Baker] understands that.”
Now, his son has taken that responsibility to a different level with the creation of his new charitable organization The Baker Foundation. Its goal is to do exactly what Andre Baker said - give back to the community.
“From toy drives to feeding the homeless,” Deandre Baker said in the foundation’s kickoff video. “No matter what it is, however I can help the community, that’s what I’m here for.”
To commemorate the opening of the Baker Foundation, the family hosted “Dre Day” at Charles Hadley Park in Miami, FL, where Baker played his Pee Wee football. Nearly 600 people were in attendance according to Baker’s father. Of that crowd, several former NFL players, including Edgerrin James and Patrick Surtain, were there to show their appreciation for Baker and his new foundation.
The organization is a big deal to the community, that much is clear. But, to be able to give back to the community that raised Baker, his siblings and his parents, it gives the foundation even more significance.
“It means so much,” Andre Baker told Dawg Post. “He hasn’t even signed his contract yet... but we’re still able to reach out to the youth and help the less fortunate.”
Right now, the Miami area is a focus for the foundation. It plans to expand to other areas though soon, according to Andre Baker. Most notably in the Georgia area as well as in New York, where Baker now plays after being selected 30th overall by the New York Giants.
The Baker Foundation’s kickoff was a success. Now though, the real work starts. The group’s first initiative will be to start a Back-to-School drive before class is back in session. It hopes to collect backpacks, notebooks and other school supplies to distribute to the less fortunate.