Celek to speak at Parker's Purpose fundraiser in Gibsonburg

Eleven-year NFL veteran Brent Celek of the Philadelphia Eagles is the keynote speaker for the 11th Parker’s Purpose Dinner Auction on Friday, July 26 at Ole Zims Wagon Shed in Gibsonburg.
        “Hear stories of what it took to beat Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and the legendary New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. In light of the recent passing of his Grandpa, Ed Celek, from Fremont, Brent will speak on how much he inspired him to reach the ultimate athlete’s pinnacle of playing professional football,” said Parker’s Purpose President Todd Drusback.
        Celek’s accolades include —
• Drafted 5th round of the 2007 NFL by the Philadelphia Eagles
• 11 Year NFL veteran all with the Philadelphia Eagles
• Super Bowl Champion with the Eagles in Super Bowl LII
• Ranked 2nd in the Eagles TE with receiving yards at 4998 yards
• Retired in 2018 following Super Bowl LII
• Founded the Take Flight Foundation in 2010 which assists children in need in the Philadelphia area
“If you are interested in attending the event or donating an auction item please email me or call 419-680-9568. This event is our biggest fundraiser each year. Your support enables us to continue helping many families with children in need,” Drusback said.
Pre-sale tickets only are $75 or $500 for a table of eight. You must be 21-years-old to purchase a ticket. Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and the event includes a Chinese auction, prize ball draws and a grand auction. Only 400 tickets available. Contact Drusback at parkerspurpose@gmail.com or visit www.parkerspurpose.net.
 
Publicity letter from Parker's Purpose—
 
An Inspirational Foundation Based Upon Parker’s Vision to Help Others in Need
parkerspurpose.net
1056 HAZEL STREET • FREMONT, OHIO 43420 • 419-334-7275
parkerspurpose@gmail.com
 
To Whom It May Concern:
Hello! My name is Todd Drusback and I am the President of a foundation called Parker’s Purpose. Our foundation’s mission is to give assistance to children who are ill or disabled, whose family is in an immediate financial crisis. Parker Ink’s story and how our foundation was started are illustrated below:
Parker is currently finishing up his second year at Bowling Green State University. Parker was diagnosed at the age of 6 months with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. He is mobile with the use of a power wheelchair, which he has used since he was 2 years old. He is quite verbal and intelligent with a great personality. Despite his disadvantages he has always kept an amazingly optimistic outlook and attitude. In March 2008, he became seriously ill with viral pneumonia. He was life-flighted to St. Vincent in Toledo and spent the next 30 days fighting for his life. He had two surgeries during that stay and now has a permanent trach and uses oxygen at all times and a ventilator to breath at night. During his stay in the hospital his dad hung up his football jersey from Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic H.S., so that it would be a constant reminder to Parker that he still had a lot of work to do. He still had to continue to show people how to FIGHT and OVERCOME.
The year before this was Parker’s first year as the ball/tee boy for SJCC football and during that time he would give a pre-game motivational speech. The team embraced him and often said that they looked at him during the game, when they were tired and sore and believed that if he can keep fighting, then so could they. Parker’s motto is “Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do.”
Through the years Parker has proven that he can do a lot! He has been an honorary ambassador for Easter Seals and has helped raise thousands of dollars for the organization. He, along with his parents are constantly reminding others to focus on what you can do and never form an opinion about what someone is capable of, just from looking at them. His struggles have brought hundreds of people together, through a variety fundraisers, to help their family who was an immediate financial crisis. The result was people giving selflessly of themselves to help a family that was in need. For myself, Parker’s family, and our committee, we thought why should the giving end after our dinner auction that June. Thus Parker’s Purpose was founded. The foundation is based on the desire to assist families who have a child with a life altering illness or disability, who are in a financial crisis. It is Parker’s hope, as well as all those involved in the foundation, for it to grow and spread to help thousands in the future. Since June, 2008 we have helped hundreds of families in donations totaling over $400,000.
Unfortunately, today’s tough economic conditions make it difficult for families to meet their special needs without help from people like you. I am writing to invite you to donate an item, gift certificate or monetary amount for our eleventh annual dinner auction.Our keynote speaker is former Philidelphia Eagle great Brent Celek. Hear stories of what it took to beat Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the legendary New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. In light of the recent passing of his Grandpa, Ed Celek, from Fremont, Brent will speak on how much he inspired him to reach the ultimate athlete’s pinnacle of playing professional