When Michael Oher, the inspiration behind the movie The Blind Side and current offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, came to Phoenix earlier this month for a charity event, over 500 foster children turned out for the occasion.
WHAT: The large crowd was able to hear Oher speak about his new book, “I Beat the Odds” while enjoying pizza from local and family owned restaurant chain, Barro’s Pizza. The event was sponsored by Hope & A Future, an Arizona nonprofit.
WHEN & WHERE: The event took place on April 7, 2012 at Grand Canyon University following Hope & A Future’s Strike Out Child Abuse Walk.
WHY: Hope & A Future shines a spotlight on foster children in Arizona and strives to prevent the kids from being abused and neglected. This is an issue especially close to Oher’s heart since he was in foster care for much of his own childhood. Barro’s Pizza continues to help out the local valley community in any way that they can and were happy to participate in this event. The local pizza chain also recently sponsored St. Mary Food Bank’s Kid’s Café Open on March 30, 2012 and frequently donate to Little League teams.
