Ryan Kerrigan Raises $260K for Children at Redskins Celebrity Waiter Night

WASHINGTON, DC — Hosted by Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, more than $260,000 was raised for children in need at Ryan Kerrigan's 4th annual Celebrity Waiter Night, held at the Grand Hyatt Washington on Monday, Sept. 26.

Benefiting the Ryan Kerrigan Blitz for the Better Foundation, five Washington Redskins players: David Bruton Jr., Houston Bates, Dustin Hopkins, Spencer Long and Colt McCoy, joined Kerrigan to trade in their team uniforms for aprons and serve wine to the guests at the event.

“I am very fortunate to be in a community that is supportive of me on and off the field. The people in DMV have been good to me, so this is my opportunity to give back,” said Kerrigan. "I’ve been blessed with a great team, a great city and great teammates."

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Founded in 2013, Kerrigan’s foundation provides opportunities, support and resources to children and families in need in the Greater Washington D.C. area, with a primary focus on seriously ill, physically challenged and special need children and their families.

Proceeds from the evening will go toward Ryan Kerrigan’s Blitz for the Better Foundation’s programs, including Kerrigan’s Korners and Reindeer Rush, according to the Foundation.

In 2015, Kerrigan launched the Kerrigan’s Korner initiative, which provides patients and families with access to technology during their hospital stays. Installed in a hospital, a single Kerrigan’s Korner is a large locker stocked with kid-friendly portable DVD players, video gaming systems, iPads, Kindles and Leap Pads.

“We opened our first Kerrigan’s Korner in 2015 and earlier this year, we opened two more. We want to establish more in the area and hopefully build off the momentum gained throughout the past couple years,” Kerrigan said. “Kerrigan’s Korners give kids kids access to technology as a means for relaxation and communication during their hospital stays. The program has really grown over the past year. It’s because of events like these that make the programs possible."

During the Celebrity Waiter Night event Monday, Ryan Kerrigan’s Blitz for the Better Foundation announced plans to install two additional Kerrigan’s Korners in D.C. area hospitals. After hearing the news, two Blitz for the Better Foundation Executive Board Members stepped up at the event to fund the first Kerrigan’s Korner in Richmond.

Reindeer Rush is holiday program developed to give patients and their families physical, monetary and moral support. The program gives children a chance to interact with Kerrigan as he personally visits them and gives them holiday presents.

In recognition of his many charitable efforts on behalf of children, Kerrigan was awarded "Community Man of the Year” by the Washington Redskins on Aug. 31 at the team's annual Welcome Home Luncheon.

SEE: Washington Redskins Gather at Welcome Home Luncheon: PHOTOS

SEE ALSO: Ryan Kerrigan Leukemia Golf Classic Raises $563K

For more information about Ryan Kerrigan’s Blitz for the Better Foundation and his fourth annual Celebrity Waiter Night, visit www.ryankerrigan.org.

Photo credits: Sharon Reed. Pictured left to right in group photo: Colt McCoy, Spencer Long, Ryan Kerrigan, David Burton Jr., Houston Bates, Dustin Hopkins