Rams Donate $20,000 To Non-Profit Organizations In Bi-State Area

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Rams joined with GFI Digital to welcome 10 outstanding volunteers to an awards luncheon at the Russell Training Center on Friday, November 18. The finalists were recognized with the annual Georgia Frontiere Community Quarterback Awards, which honor commitment and dedication to improving the bi-state area through volunteerism. Since its inception in 2000, the Rams have awarded $220,000 to local non-profits through the program.

This year’s overall winner of the Georgia Frontiere Community Quarterback Award, and recipient of a $7,500 grant to Pike County Christian School was Thomas Frank Welch also known as Brother Frank. Virginia Kirkpatrick was the runner-up of the 2011 Georgia Frontiere Community Quarterback award, receiving $2,500 for her non-profit Operation Blessing that provides basic necessities, including clothing and food, to those in need in the Wood River, Illinois area.

The remaining eight finalists all received a $1,250 grant directed to the organizations they serve. The finalists include: Esther Aubuchon, Lincoln County Council on Aging; Lee Burkemper, Lemay Child and Family Center; Becky Byrne, Annie’s Hope - The Bereavement Center; Andrea Dent, Kingdom House; Bob N. Fox, Casa de Salud; Lorraine Jackson, Macoupin County Adopt-A-Pet; Christopher Lee, National Alliance on Mental Illness; and Kristen Weber, Life Foundation.

Rams owner and chair of community outreach, Lucia Rodriguez, was on hand to present each honoree with a trophy and check. Rams quarterbacks, and , also stopped by the luncheon to congratulate the finalists. All 10 winners were then honored on the field of the Edward Jones Dome at yesterday’s game.