The Redskins showed up in droves at Pierre Garçon’s “All-White Clothing” fundraiser for BGCGW.
By Anika Reed
Robert Griffin III joined teammate Pierre Garcon on stage for a live auction, that ended with Pierre auctioning off a date with himself for $950. (Photo by Joy Asico)
Last week, the Washington Redskins showed the community that they sure do clean up good, as they traded their burgundy and gold for crisp white tuxedos rented by teammate Pierre Garcon. For the third year in a row, the wide receiver hosted his signature “All-White Clothing” charity function, which raised $106,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW).
Despite the gloomy weather, which forced the party to relocate from the rooftop to the lobby of K Street’s Millennium Building, the sold-out event was teeming with Redskins players, including quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Andre Roberts, offensive tackle Trent Williams, tight end Niles Paul and kicker Kai Forbath among others. Former Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams joined the fray for a mix of the best of the past and present of the franchise.
The red-carpet event, sponsored by The Tower Companies and Brett Johnson Collection, featured hundreds of guests bedecked in their best white outfits clamoring for photo ops with their favorite Skins and taking their chances on the gambling tables in the lobby, before moving over to the adjacent Look Lounge for a bumping after party.
Guests munched on Burger 7 sliders and sipped Moët Ice champagne and Belvedere and Hennessy cocktails, before the live auctions got underway. Garçon welcomed his crowd, before being joined by Griffin (whose wife recently gave birth to their daughter, Reese Anne), to kick off the auction, which included “exclusive game day experiences” with both the Redskins and Nationals, an appearance in a commercial with Garçon for Paisano’s Restaurant, VIP access at Echostage at a concert of the winner’s choice and, the finale, a date with Garcon which sold for $950.
Hip-hop legend and Washington, D.C. native DJ Kool surprised the guests with a crowd-pleasing performance of his classic jam, “Let Me Clear My Throat.” He emphasized his love not only for the city, but also for Garcon and his teammates, particularly RGIII.
“I wish Pierre a hundred touchdowns this season and I want to see an offensive line that is so tight, no one can touch my friend Robert,” said the beloved performer.
BGCGW also honored 17-year-old Ayanna Holmes with its “Youth of the Year” award. Holmes said the BGCGW, which she visits daily taking two trains and a bus to get there from her District Heights home, helped her find her passion for photography and poetry.
Garçon credits BGCGW as an integral part of his success. His philanthropic efforts extend to his creation of the Pierre Garçon Helping Hands Foundation, as well as support of and donation to the Haiti Relief Foundation. Since the “All White” event’s inception in 2013, Garcon has helped raise more than $236,000 for the BGCGW. In its inaugural year, Garçon’s event raised more than ,000 while last year’s total shot up to 0,000.
“BGCGW was home for me,” Garcon said. “I want to give other kids the same chance to engage with their communities and have the same opportunities I had.
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