At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW), we know that great partnerships can change what young people believe is possible. They open doors, create unforgettable memories, introduce kids to inspiring role models, and—sometimes—give a young person the chance to see a future they never imagined for themselves.

From the football field to our Clubhouses, Commanders players, coaches, and partners continue to show up for our young people in ways that go far beyond game day. Whether they’re donating school supplies, providing Thanksgiving meals, creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences, or simply spending time with our members, they’re helping our Club kids build confidence, dream bigger, and reach their full potential.

 

TURNING GAME TICKETS INTO LASTING MEMORIES  

This season, our Club kids received an incredible gift thanks to Commanders cornerback and hometown hero, Nick Cross.

Through an incredible partnership between the Maryland Boys & Girls Clubs Alliance, the Washington Commanders, and FirstPic, Inc., Cross helped make sure BGCGW has tickets to every Commanders home game this season.

For many young people, attending an NFL game is an experience they may never otherwise have. Thanks to Nick and the Commanders, our Club members have the opportunity to cheer from the stands, experience the energy of a professional football game, and create memories that will stay with them for years.

Experiences like these remind young people that they belong in every room, every arena, and every place where dreams become reality.

That’s a big win for the Commanders—and an even bigger win for our Club kids.

SHOWING UP WHEN KIDS NEED IT MOST       

The Commanders’ impact also extends to the everyday moments that matter.

When the school year began, Commanders offensive lineman Trent Scott stopped by our Alloy Club with school supplies to help Club members start the year prepared and confident.

Nick Cross made a special visit to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, bringing more than 150 backpacks and school-supply kits, along with lunch for our members. A proud graduate of DeMatha Catholic High School and the University of Maryland, Nick spent far more time with our young people than originally planned.

He talked with Club members, connected with them, and even sat down for an interview with our media literacy program. That kind of engagement matters.

When professional athletes take the time to listen to young people, answer their questions, share their experiences, and simply be present, they become more than athletes. They become role models—and living proof that hard work, perseverance, and determination can open doors.

   

MAKING THE HOLIDAYS BRIGHTER   

The holiday season is another opportunity for the Commanders to make a difference.

The team has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington to make our annual BGC Christmas celebration extra special, helping create a holiday experience filled with excitement, generosity, and joy for our Club members and their families.

These moments may seem simple, but for a child, they can become treasured memories. That is the power of a partner that understands that investing in young people means investing in the moments that make them feel valued, celebrated, and supported.

   

PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE     

The Commanders have also stepped up to support Club families during the Thanksgiving season.

Commanders offensive tackle Brandon Coleman donated more than 30 turkeys to Club kids and families at Clubhouse 6, helping ensure families could celebrate Thanksgiving with a little more comfort and a lot more gratitude.

It’s an important reminder that supporting young people means supporting the families and communities around them, too. When partners help address the needs that families are facing today, they help create the stability young people need to focus on tomorrow.

TEAMWORK THAT CREATES WINNING MOMENTS    

Sometimes, the biggest impact comes from giving Club members the opportunity to take the field themselves.

At Great Wolf Lodge Maryland’s Rookie Charity Challenge, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Club members teamed up with Commanders rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis for an unforgettable experience.

Together, they earned a first-place finish—and a $13,000 donation for Boys & Girls Clubs. But the win was about much more than the final score. Our Club members had the chance to work alongside a professional athlete, build confidence, compete as a team, and experience what happens when everyone contributes toward a shared goal. Those are lessons that extend far beyond the football field.

  

SEEING YOURSELF IN SOMEONE ELSE’S STORY      

Perhaps one of the most powerful moments came from a Commanders player who understood firsthand what Boys & Girls Clubs can mean to a young person.

Reflecting on his own childhood experience with Boys & Girls Clubs in Lansing, Michigan, he shared how meaningful it was to return to a Club and see his younger self in the children he met.

That connection captures something special about the relationship between professional athletes and Boys & Girls Clubs. Our Club members don’t just see athletes.

They see people who once had dreams, challenges, doubts, and goals of their own. They see people who kept going. And sometimes, they see a possible version of themselves.

A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON POSSIBILITY     

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, our mission is to help young people build Great Futures. We know that it takes an entire community to make that possible.

The Washington Commanders continue to be an important part of that community. Their players give their time. Their organization creates opportunities. Their charitable efforts provide resources. Their partnerships open doors. And their presence gives our young people something incredibly valuable: the opportunity to dream bigger.

We are grateful to the Washington Commanders, the Commanders Charitable Foundation, Nick Cross, Trent Scott, Brandon Coleman, Athan Kaliakmanis, and everyone who continues to invest in the young people of Greater Washington. Because when our community comes together, we don’t just create great football moments.

WE CREATE GREAT FUTURES TOGTHER      

And that’s a championship worth celebrating.