Celebrating those who help others

When I retired from sports competition (UFC) many people asked what I planned to do in "retirement". Would I take up golf (tried that), would I start a new business (how about a charity) or would I just relax for awhile (I did that too) after such a long career in the cage?

Those that were close to me knew of my commitment to my daughter and the desire to be very present in her life. This presence outweighed any notions to start a new venture like the fight league we brought to network television or to run another promotions company (turned that down). After the first couple of years of play dates and tumbling classes I knew that I could do more for those who were not as fortunate as myself (I retired at 37).

As a child I grew up on welfare and there was never enough money (or food) for our family to thrive and we barely scraped by. I prayed each day that someone would help us, that someone would know what it was like to be hungry when you fall asleep at night, and offer a hand. I got my first job when I was 8 years old mowing lawns because I wanted to earn money. When I was 12 years old I became a ward of the state and left my home. Within a few months I was taken to the Shamrock Boys Ranch and met Bob Shamrock who would eventually become my adoptive father.

So when I retired, I remembered all those that did stop to help us and I wanted to give back to honor those people. That's how the Shamrock Way charity began, to honor Bob Shamrock and to continue his legacy of helping others.

Today I would like to honor those who have stopped to help again. Individuals, corporations and friends who believe in what we are doing to help others. Our upcoming #bipolarrocknbowler event will create a grant for a deserving veterans family and fuel our annual campaigns that help at risk youth and battered woman. Tix are avail and donors welcome, this will be a fun night of celebration and fundraising and YOU are invited.

Please share this message. www.shamrockway.org/rock-n-bowler