HISTORIC GIANT STEPS

• 1975 First introduction to child abuse. Eastside Athletic Club worked together with college students involved in a Social Work Program. Christmas Party was held at the Catonsville Campus for the German’s Children’s Home for Abused Children.
• 1976 Summer of 1976. EAC enjoyed a Baseball Night at Memorial Stadium with abused children from the German’s Children Home. EAC’s thoughts were then directed to looking toward treating the disease of Child Abuse and not the symptoms. Members researched other Child Abuse Centers, Hospitals and Social Work Programs for answers. Steve Dellis, through Sheriff Hickey, arranged an introduction to Major Pat Hanges, a Baltimore County Police Officer. Christmas of 1976 included a party at Dundalk High School.
• 1977 Eastside Athletic Club continued to help Major Pat Hanges in her quest to help abused children.
• 1978 First Annual Ed Block Courage Awards in Baltimore.
• 1979 Artist Fred Lessig was commissioned to paint a mural of the Baltimore Colts Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrines that many recognize as “The Magnificent Seven.” The original painting (6’ x 20’) was dedicated for the purpose of raising funds for abused children through The Ed Block Courage Awards. This painting was included in the presentation to the Mayor’s Task Force. Sally Michaels, Director of the Mayor’s Task Force invited EAC to do this presentation. Mr. Morrison, a representative of Catholic Charities and a member of the Task Force was impressed by the presentation, and set up a meeting with Sr. Grace Cavisi at St.Vincent’s Child & Family Care Center.
• 1980 Renovation of the “residence” at St. Vincent’s began. EAC and Architect Engineer & Contractor renovated the facility which was known as Family Again.
• 1984 Ed Block Courage Awards expands to the National level with the departure of the Baltimore Colts. The Courage Awards expanded to honor a recipient from each of the NFL Teams. This move insured the continued support to help abused children and the Family Again Program.
• 1986 Formulation of The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, Inc.
• 1987 Formulation of contributions to NFL Charities to support help to abused children on the National level.
• 1989 Dedication of Courage House at St. Vincent’s. Dedication of The National Grant in Honor of NFL Commissioner, Pete Rozelle.
• 1990 Formulation of The Ed Block Courage Award Alumni. The Home Builders Assoc. of MD & the Baltimore County Executive Office join in a renovation project for Courage House & St. Vincent’s Center. At Giants Stadium, during Pre-Game ceremonies, George Young, General Manager of the New York Giants, accepted the Foundation’s National Grant contribution to NFL Charities.
• 1991 AT&T Network Systems Engineering was the National Grant Donor. The 13th Ed Block Courage Awards honored Pittsburgh Steelers President, Dan Rooney, as Honorary National Chairman.
  • On October 20th: A Courage House was dedicated at Holy Family Institute in Pittsburgh in the name of the late Art Rooney, Sr. The foundation presented a check to NFL Charities during Pre-Game ceremonies at Three River Stadium. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was present.
• 1992 March 3rd: Mr. Ed McCaskey was the Honorary National Chairman of the 14th annual Ed Block Courage Awards.
  • August 27th: NFL Exhibition Game - Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MD. Miami Dolphins vs. New Orleans Saints. Pre-Game Presentation of National Grant contribution to NFL Charities in honor of Edward W. McCaskey of the Chicago Bears. Accepting for NFL Charities, Tim Robbie, and President of the Miami Dolphins and Board of Directors member of NFL Charities.
  • October 18th: Chicago, Courage House dedication at Columbus Maryville Children’s Reception Center in honor of Edward W. McCaskey, President of the Chicago Bears. This Courage House will support help to cocaine addicted infants. Pre-Game presentation at Soldier Field, Chicago, IL.
  • AT&T Network Systems Engineering was the 1992 National Grant Donor. Chicago’s AT&T honored John Wojciechowski, Bears courage Award Recipient, at a Recognition Dinner.
• 1993 March 7th: Tim Robbie, President of the Miami Dolphins is the 15th annual Ed Block Courage Awards Honorary National Chairman. Bond Distribution Co. & Miller Lite was the 1993 National Grant Donors.
  • October 24th: Joe Robbie Courage House dedication at Boystown of Florida, Pre-Game presentation at Joe Robbie Stadium before the Dolphins vs. Colts game.
  • November 23rd: Holy Family Institute honored Gary Jones, Steelers ‘93 courage Award recipient, at a recognition dinner at Three Rivers Stadium.
  • Debut of the Art Rooney Sr. Courage House Alumnus Award.
  • Former Baltimore Colt and Hall of Famer, Art Donovan, becomes president of the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation
• 1994 March 8th: Wayne Fontes, Detroit Lions Head Coach, and 16th Honorary National Ed Block Courage Awards Chairman. Detroit Lions’ new Quarterback, Scott Mitchell was a surprise special guest. Heisman Trophy Winners inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was the theme. We honored Doak Walker and Paul Hornung. Pro Football Hall of Fame Executive Director, Pete Elliott and the Heisman Trophy’s Downtown Athletic Club President, Wm. Blum was Honorary Chairmen.
  • November 13th: Wm. Clay Ford, President of the Detroit Lions presents a $35,000 grant from NFL Charities to the Foundation on the field at Pontiac Silverdome before the Lions vs. Buccaneers game.
  • November 15th: Dedication of Detroit Lions Courage House at The Haven. Lions’ Ken Dallafior and Dan Jaroshewich were responsible for this commitment. Recognition Dinner raised $50,000 for the Lions’ Courage House; Art Donovan was the guest speaker.
  • November 22nd: Holy Family Institute Fund Raising Dinner honoring Charles Johnson of the Pittsburgh Steelers and their second annual Alumnus Award held at Three Rivers Stadium. Dan Rooney, President of the Steelers, sponsored the event.
• 1995 March 28th: Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys was the awards’ Honorary Chairman. Dallas Cowboys Alumni presented $35,000 to the foundation for the Dallas Cowboys Courage house dedication. NFL Charities National Grant contribution was $25,000. The Weinberg Foundation was the Honorary Community Chairmanship, donating $20,000.
  • August 29th: Dallas Cowboy’s kick-off luncheon, Ed Block Courage Award Foundation selected as charity.
  • October 7th: Dallas Cowboys Courage House dedication at Happy Hill Farm Academy Home. Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys players, Dallas Cowboys Alumni, Tom Landry and Art Donovan were in attendance.
  • November 7th: Detroit Lions 2nd annual Courage House dinner. Lions’ Barry Sanders, Head Coach Wayne Fontes, Kevin Glover, Ken Fantetti, Bruce McNorton, Ken Dallafior, Dan Jaroshewich, Kent Falb, Carl Bland attended. Coach Bo Schembechler was Keynote Speaker. Honorary Chairman, Wm. Clay Ford and Wm. Clay Ford, Jr. Lions’ Courage Award recipient Aubrey Matthews were honored. 1995
  • November 28th: Dan Rooney and Art Rooney, Jr. of the Pittsburgh Steelers sponsored the Holy Family institutes 3rd annual Courage House Luncheon. Guest speakers, James Rooney and head coach, Bill Cowher. Steelers' ‘95 Courage Award Recipient, Jerry Olsavsky was honored.
  • Former Baltimore Colt, Tom Matte, becomes president of the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation
• 1996 January 26th: Arizona Super Bowl XXX Ed Block Courage Award Golf Challenge sponsored by the Gridiron Group’s Chicago Bear’s Walter Payton and Kevin Butler.
  • November 23rd & 24th: Baltimore Ravens Courage House Dedication and presentation honoring Art Modell at Memorial Stadium.
• 1997 June: Ed Block Courage Award Foundation publishes the first issue of its newsletter, The Goal Post, written and edited by Larry Harris, formerly of The Baltimore Sun
  • October 27th: New York Giants Courage House dedicated honoring Wellington Mara and Preston Robert Tisch.
  • November: Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation pledge to donate up to $1,000,000 to an endowment fund that will be set up to fully endure the future of the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation. The Weinbergs become the inaugural members of the Ed Block Courage Award.
  • Former Baltimore Colt and Hall of Famer, Lenny Moore, becomes president of the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation
• 1998 September 13: Dedication of the Oakland Raiders’ Courage House at the Fred Finch Youth Center. Raiders’ Head Athletic Trainer Rod Martin was instrumental in establishing the House. The center was dedicated in honor of Raiders’ Al Davis. Raiders’ quarterback Jeff George matched the Foundation’s National Grant by presenting the center with his own check for $10,000. A special pre-game ceremony took place at the Coliseum before the Raiders’ home game.
  • December: Mike Wolfe of M.T.H. Electric Trains donates $173,000 to the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation for the Weinberg Million Dollar Challenge.
• 1999 September 12: Dedication of Seattle Seahawks’ Courage House at Childhaven. Team President Bob Whitsitt, Seattle players, members of the Sea Gals’ dance group and the team mascot, Blitz, were on hand for the ceremony. A special pre-game ceremony took place on the field of the King Dome before Seattles’ home game.
  • November 27: Dedication of Carolina Panthers’ Courage House at Youth Homes Inc. In attendance were Panthers’ President and former Baltimore Colt Jerry Richardson, Carolina Players, including former Courage Award recipients Tshimanga Biakabutuka (’97), Steve Beuerlein (’98) and Mike Minter (’99) and former Baltimore Colts Ordell Braase and Dick Szymanski.
• 2000 January 6: Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, former Governor of Maryland and Mayor of Baltimore, was named “Maryland Man of the Century” by the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation
  • August 9: Baltimore Ravens’ Courage House and Ed Block Courage Award Foundation launch Inaugural Ravens’ Pep Rally held during training camp at Western Maryland College. Over 600 fans were in attendance to lend their support to the team and to the Courage House at St. Vincent’s.
  • September 30: Dedication of Cleveland Browns’ Courage House at Providence House. Representing the Browns at the ceremony were the team’s 1999 Ed Block Courage Award Recipient Derrick Alexander, Head Athletic Trainer Mike Colello and Judge George White, director of the Cleveland Browns’ Foundation. A special pre-game ceremony took place on the field of Cleveland Browns’ Stadium prior to the Browns game against the Baltimore Ravens.
  • October 21: Dedication of the Atlanta Falcons’ Courage House at Eagle Ranch. More than a dozen members of the Falcons' organization , including Head Coach Dan Reeves and players including Ed Block recipients, Jamal Anderson (’00), Bob Christian (’99), and Jessie Tuggle (‘97). Christian was the catalyst in bringing the dedication to fruition. The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation, led by President Jerry Rhea, matched Ed Block’s National Grant by also presenting Eagle Ranch with a $10,000 check. A special dedication took place on the field of the Georgia Dome during the Falcons’ game verses the New Orleans Saints.
  • November 4: Dedication of the St. Louis Rams’ Courage House at Our Little Haven.
• 2001 Maryland Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, former Governor of Maryland and Mayor of Baltimore, joins Board of Directors.
  • June 7-10: The Foundation partnered with Good-Time Oldies 105.7 WQSR to present the Million Dollar Hole-in-One Challenge at Coleman Plecker’s World of Golf in Joppa, Maryland. At $1 per shot, contestants attempted to drive a golf ball within the qualifying circle and earn a chance to shoot for a hole-in-one worth $1,000,000. Unfortunately, no one was lucky enough to make a hole-in-one for the million dollars.
  • June 10: Family Golf Day 2001 held at The Falls at Magnolia, a world-class miniature golf course located in Joppa, Maryland. Consisted of two shotgun starts, 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., and entry fees were $50 per individual and $150 per foursome. Based upon availability, all foursomes were placed with a local celebrity from the realm of professional sports, television or radio. There were also performances by the Baltimore Marching Ravens.
  • August 10: Through a partnership with the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Ravens Courage House at St. Vincent’s Center, the Foundation presented RAVENS RALLY FOR KIDS during the team’s training camp at Western Maryland College. Fans interacted with Ravens’ players, coaches and personnel while enjoying the excitement of the training camp environment. The event was sponsored by The Coliseum Sports Bar & Grille. Proceeds benefited the Baltimore Ravens’ Courage House at St. Vincent’s Center and the Ravens’ Foundation for Families.
  • August 31: Cockeysville resident Salvatore Paniague unsuccessfully attempted a 40-yard field goal at PSINet Stadium prior to the Ravens’ pre-season game against the New York Giants. The kick could have earned him $25,000. Paniague’s raffle ticket was selected from the countless entries in The Coliseum Sports Bar & Grille Kick For Kids Field Goal Challenge.
  • September 25: More than 200 people gathered at The Coliseum Sports Bar & Grille in Cockeysville, Maryland for a special VIP event. The affair was part of The Coliseum’s sponsorship of the RAVENS RALLY FOR KIDS.
  • November 24-25: Dedication of new Indianapolis Colts’ Courage House at Children’s Bureau.
• 2002 March 5: 24th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards.
  • May 11: Family Golf Day 2002
  • July 31: The Foundation presented RAVENS RALLY FOR KIDS sponsored by Giant/Peapod by Giant during the Ravens' training camp at McDaniel College. Proceeds benefited the Baltimore Ravens’ Courage House at St. Vincent’s Center and the Ravens’ Foundation for Families.
  • October 26-27: Dedication of Buffalo Bills’ Courage House at Gateway-Longview.
• 2003 March 25: 25th Anniversary of the Ed Block Courage Awards, held in its new location at the Baltimore Convention Center. Presentation of the Foundation’s first Johnny Unitas Tops in Courage Award, accepted by the Unitas family.
  • August 13: The Foundation presented the Fourth Annual Ravens Rally For Courage House Kids, sponsored by Peapod by Giant.
  • October 18-19: Dedication of San Francisco 49ers’ Courage House at Edgewood Center for Children and Families
• 2004 March 16: 26th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards; Bonnie Bernstein of CBS Sports served as the event’s Ambassador of Courage
  • July 10: Foundation produced the Fifth Annual Ravens Rally for Courage House Kids. Peapod by Giant served as the Presenting Sponsor while the affair was brought to fans by The Classic Catering People. Proceeds from the event benefited the Baltimore Ravens’ Courage House at St. Vincent’s Center and the Ravens’ All Community Team Foundation
  • September 9: Dedication of Minnesota Vikings’ Courage House at St. Joseph’s Home for Children. • September 11: The Foundation partnered with Ravens Roost 50 & Poe’s Crows to present FAMILY GOLF DAY 2004 at The Falls at Magnolia
  • September 17: Presentation of Foundation’s Johnny Unitas Tops in Courage Award to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum for display in its Johnny Unitas Exhibit. Officials from the Foundation and the Museum were joined at a special ceremony by a collection of former Baltimore Colts and members of the Unitas family.
• 2005 March 8: 27th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards; event returns to Martin’s West.
• 2006 March 7: 28th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards at Martin’s West.
• 2007 March 20: 29th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards at Martin’s West. Dedication of Green Packers’ Courage House at Family Services of NE, Wisconsin.