The Right Side Foundation Hosts "Fun for 21" Event at Baltimore Ravens Practie Facility

Baltimore, Md. – The Right Side Foundation hosted its third “Fun for 21″ event today at the Baltimore Ravens practice facility in Owings Mills. The event brought 21 children from the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital (www.mwph.org) to watch the Ravens practice, eat lunch and meet Ravens coaches and players.

The Right Side Foundation was started by Baltimore Oriole Nick Markakis and his wife Christina to help distressed children throughout the State of Maryland. The “Fun for 21″ program provides 21 children in Maryland with an experience that enables them to forget about the obstacles in their lives, at least for one day, and enjoy the fun of being a child. The Foundation selects a different community group each month as the beneficiary of the program. The “Fun for 21″ name derives from Nick Markakis’ Baltimore Orioles jersey number 21.

“Hosting these types of events is a great thrill for me and Christina,” said Nick Markakis. “We’d like to thank the Ravens for their gracious hospitality and assistance. The children had a great time, and spending some time with them is very uplifting for Christina and I. We look forward to growing the Fun for 21 Program in 2010 and beyond.”

The day began with the children meeting Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, who greeted everyone and spoke to the kids. Coach Harbaugh then invited the kids to play on the Ravens practice field where they interacted with Nick, who posed for pictures and signed autographs for all of them.

Shortly after that the Ravens players came out to the practice field. Ravens Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco, Derrick Mason and Willis McGahee all drew cheers and applause from the children. The players waved to the children and greeted them.

The day concluded with lunch at the Ravens complex. After lunch, Nick addressed the children and thanked them for coming. He also handed out gift bags full of Ravens and Orioles gear, posed for more pictures and signed more autographs before saying goodbye.

“It was such a thrilling day for the children — they had the chance to meet a Baltimore Oriole baseball star, and on top of that, they were treated to watching a real Baltimore Ravens’ practice…” said Kathleen Lee, Director of Public Relations for Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital. “Our thanks go out to Nick and Christina Markakis and their Foundation, for giving these children a bright spot in their day, and for giving them something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”