“I believe peace and joy is something that we have and no one can take that away from us,” said Lonnie Allgood, retired NFL player and founder of the Dreams for Kids nonprofit.  Allgood, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints, now runs fundraisers through his nonprofit to benefit local kids.
On October 20, Allgood brought Dreams for Kids to Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. The proceeds from the fundraiser benefited House of Hope and Dreams for Kids Inc.
Allgood’s fundraisers involve NFL football players playing basketball against several teams. Fans of the famous athletes attended the fundraiser and pay to meet them, dine with them and watch them play basketball. The NFL players that attended the special night at SPF included Kareem Huggins, J’vonne Parker, Michael Campbell and Brandon Bing.
SPFHS very own basketball alumni even came back to play against the athletes and support the cause, making their own team full of players.
Dreams for Kids is a non-profit fundraiser to help build children’s characters by providing them with tools they need to believe in themselves and respect others. Children interact with current and former professional athletes who act as mentors to the children. Dreams for Kids wants the children to understand the importance of education and encourages them to become contributing members of society.
Allgood has been to over 100 schools just in New Jersey and a huge number of schools across the country to put on fundraisers.
“Lonnie Allgood is a really good guy and the vision behind his Dreams for Kids is helping kids and encouraging them to dream and go far,” Kareem Huggins, running back for the Brooklyn Bolts, said. “I had a dream when I was a kid and by God’s grace the lord has allowed me to fulfill that dream and I’m still playing, so to just be apart of this is really cool.”
Allgood’s fundraiser was an overall success and he continues to support and nurture the passions of kids through his Dreams for Kids nonprofit.