Clinton School students Chad Williamson (’10) and Ashley Davis (’10) have helped launch Bow Ties for a Cause, a new initiative to fight juvenile diabetes by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones.
The students have been working on public service opportunities with Jones, host of “Dhani Tackles the Globe” on the Travel Channel, who spoke at the Clinton School last year.
Their work has led to helping facilitate a partnership between Jones and Chiquita Brands International CEO Fernando Aguirre to increase awareness and raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
The Bengals issued a press release last week about the partnership:
CINCINNATI – Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones and Chiquita Brands International CEO Fernando Aguirre are teaming up to increase awareness and raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
Through a new project called Bow Ties for a Cause, Jones has designed a signature line exclusively for the JDRF Annual Gala in Cincinnati on May 8. All proceeds will benefit JDRF.
Their unique friendship began in December 2009, when Aguirre was a guest on the Bengals Weekly segment, “In the Zone with Dhani Jones.” Shortly after the interview, Aguirre sent a letter to Jones, inviting him to be his guest at this year’s event where he and his wife, Citlali, will be honored as Cincinnatians of the Year.
“I was honored to be invited, and in return I wanted to do something meaningful for the event,” Jones said. “Bow Ties for a Cause was an idea I had after meeting with Fernando and I actually collaborated with his son, Fabrizio, to design the bow tie. I’m known as the ‘bow tie guy,’ so this was a perfect way for me to give back in the Cincinnati community.”
Fernando and Citlali became tireless advocates for JDRF when Fabrizio was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes eight years ago.
“When Dhani came to me with the idea, I thought it was great,” Fernando said. “To include my son in the process is a testament to Dhani’s character. What a class act for the NFL and Cincinnati.”
Jones believes this signature bow tie will create increased awareness of type 1 diabetes while generating essential funding for JDRF. The bow ties will be $57, significant of Jones’s jersey number, and all proceeds will benefit JDRF. With nearly 100 JDRF galas each year, Bow Ties for a Cause will provide a new avenue for outreach.
Jones and Aguirre continue their friendship outside of JDRF as well. Jones received some travel advice while recently filming an episode of his Travel Channel show, Dhani Tackles the Globe.
“I gave him some tips for his episode in my hometown of Mexico City,” Aguirre said. “With his love of local culture, I told him to visit the Aztec Pyramids and also gave him some restaurant recommendations.”
To purchase a bow tie, attend the gala or to support JDRF contact The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at 513.793.3223, or email Jen Trokhan at jtrokhan@jdrf.org.
JDRF’s mission is to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more information about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, please visit jdrf.org.
Responses