Dundalk Eagle: Ruppersberger, Ravens visit Dundalk for a good cause
DUNDALK — The Baltimore Ravens might have been on the road last week, but official mascot Poe and Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-2, made a trip to Dundalk’s Historic Downtown Square on Sept. 23.
Poe and Ravens cheerleaders made the trip to Dundalk as part of the NFL’s Huddle for 100, a community service initiative sponsored by the league as part of its 100th anniversary celebration. The NFL is celebrating its 100th year during the 2019-20 season.
Ruppersberger joined Poe and cheerleaders at Dundalk Renaissance Corporation’s business incubator called The Forge, located at 11 Center Pl. in historic downtown Dundalk.
Ruppersberger is a known Ravens fan, and said he once played football for George Young at Baltimore City College. Young went on to become the general manager of the New York Giants from 1979 to 1997. The Giants won two Super Bowls during his tenure.
“Baltimore City College, where I went, is the only high school in the country that has three active members of Congress – Ben Cardin, Elijah Cummings and myself,” Ruppersberger said. “What’s really important is to go into your community and make a difference. This is the 100th anniversary for the NFL, and I think it’s great they are focusing and targeting their fans and communities, and letting them know that we are part of the Baltimore community, the Baltimore region, and that we love Dundalk. We want to say that we have a community project and we care about you.”
Tasha Gresham-James, who is a housing initiatives manager for Dundalk Renaissance Corporation, said the NFL is pushing for 100 million hours of community service, and DRC was one of more than 50 nonprofit organizations chosen to contribute to the Ravens’ hours.
“In all, over 15,000 people will volunteer and represent a combined two million-plus minutes of service throughout the Baltimore community,” the release said. “Fans are invited to document and highlight their volunteerism through social media posts by using #RavensHuddleFor100, which will also help collect and track the total team minutes being accrued.”