events
Events by cities
Click any city to learn more
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Wilmington
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Youth Football Camp
2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Partners with youth in the community to enjoy a day of football and fun
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Run for Carly Rae - 5K Run/walk
2022, 2023
Funded the Carly Rae Baron Scholarship program
Total scholarship amounts awarded: 2022 - $13,000; 2023 - $15,000
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Dancing Grandma Scholarship
2022, 2023, 2024
Given annually to one student at the Techniques In Motion Dance School in honor of Alex’s grandmother Ernestine Highsmith
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Scholarship funds the students tuition for an entire year
2022 - $2065 ; 2023 - $2080; 2024 - $2050
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Azalea Festival Putt-Putt event
Co-sponsored with NC Azalea Festival to host a day at Jungle Rapids playing putt putt and supporting the AHFF
Funds earned: 2023 - $2,678.49 ; 2024
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Backpack & School supplies giiveaway
2024
Snipes Academy Elementary School
Donated 150 backpacks and miscellaneous school supplies for 4th and 5th grade students
Over $2000 spent on supplies
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NHCS Middle School Black History Quiz Bowl competition official sponsor
2022, 2023, 2024
Purchased plaques and
T-shirts for winning teams -
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STARBASE After School STEM program, Murray Middle School
2023, 2024
Donated snacks for 20 students
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Donated snacks for 20 students
2023 - Myrtle Grove Middle School
2024 - Williston Middle School -
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Ashley High School Athletics donations
2024 - Men’s Football, Basketball and Baseball teams - $1800 total ($600 each)
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2024 - Women’s Soccer team & Men’s baseball team ($500 each) for travel expenses to the NCHSAA State Championships
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Sports equipment donation, MLK Center Youth Program
2024
Donation of miscellaneous athletic equipment that was donated at Alex’s gym workout event 7/21/24
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Local athletics donations
2024
Cape Fear Optimist; Ponytail All-Star team travel expenses for state tournament ($350)
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HIIT with Alex Highsmith at Sun House Fitness
2024
Raised $600 for the foundation while getting to do a small group workout with Alex. Each participant brought a gently used sports item to donate to the local YMCA as well.
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Pittsburgh
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Backpack Drive
2021, 2022, 2023
The Alex Highsmith Family Foundation partnered with Clairton Elementary school over three years to donate over 500 backpacks and school supplies to students in need.
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2024 - Backpack Drive at LaRosa Youth Club AHFF donated 300 backpacks filled with school supplies and partnered with other organizations around the area to give the kids books, water bottles, free haircuts, a meal and more!
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Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving 2022 - The Alex Highsmith Family Foundation donated pies & blankets to Urban Impacts Thanksgiving drive for families in need on Pittsburgh's Northside
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Thanksgiving 2023 - The Alex Highsmith Family Foundation donated 160, $25 Giant Eagle gift cards to Northside Food Pantry in Pittsburgh for people in need during Thanksgiving
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Christmas
Christmas 2023 - AHFF donated 200 winter jackets to Urban Impacts youth programs to help keep kids warm during Christmas!
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Charlotte
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Keith family YMCA
2023 - Alex is a guest speaker at their summer football skills camp
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2023 - AHFF donates $8,000 to their Light the Night event to help make Christmas special for those in the Charlotte area
2024 - Alex spends afternoon with their youth summer camps program and donates $21,000 to help support their young adults outreach giving high school and middle school aged students access to the YMCA to give them alternative options for their free time. This initiative also goes towards the miracle league that the YMCA has the privilege of hosting for special needs athletes to participate in.
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AHFF Golf Tournament
2023 - March 2023, AHFF brought in $30,000 to help continue our initiative of supporting the youth in the Wilmington, Pittsburgh and Charlotte areas
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2024 - March 2024, AHFF brought in $23,000 to help continue our initiative
of supporting the youth in the Wilmington, Pittsburgh and Charlotte areas
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James Martin MidDLE SCHOOL
2023 - “God put a purpose on my heart to be a blessing to other people.” -Alex Highsmith.
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Alex spent Friday afternoon at James Martin Middle School with our good friend Rob Rodgers encouraging and spending time with the youth in the Charlotte community and sharing Chick-Fil-A with them
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in the news
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AUGUST 30, 2024
On August 19, Highsmith and his team provided backpacks filled with school supplies, books, water bottles and nutritious to-go meals to more than 300 local students.
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The event also featured free haircut stations and fun activities for the kids to enjoy, all designed to help families prepare for a successful school year. This year’s event was the largest one to date, expanding hisfoundation’s reach in the Pittsburgh area.
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September, 2024
“The events at the Azalea Festival include a garden party, multiple concerts, a big parade, a celebratory gala, a putt putt event with the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, and so much more. I love so many things about the city of Wilmington but the Azalea Festival is definitely at the top of my list.”
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October 14, 2022
Alex Highsmith sat on the edge of his couch in Wilmington, N.C. on April 24, 2020, as Round 2 of the NFL Draft faded into Round 3 and Friday night began to blur into Saturday morning.
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Meanwhile, just two hours north in Wilson, N.C., his grandmother, Ernestine Highsmith tucked herself into bed. And can you really blame a 92-year-old grandmother for drifting off to sleep just before midnight?
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October 6, 2022
NCAA basketball coaching legend John Wooden used to tell his great UCLA teams that hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.
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It's one of his famous sayings, now called Woodenisms, that rings true no matter the sport, profession or hobby.
Case and point is Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.
Highsmith has built himself into being an NFL player. ALL NFL players have to work hard, or they won't be around long – but Highsmith’s results at every point in his career show a path that others can point to as a success story worthy of its own movie.
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October 22, 2014
“Highsmith told students about the importance of working hard in school, good attendance, and doing the right thing.
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After his message, Highsmith played games and gave autographs to students who have exhibited positive behaviors.”
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April 26, 2020
The excitement in Alex Highsmith’s house could be felt for miles away after hearing Roger Goodell call the former Ashley High School standout’s name.
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Alex, who played college football for the Charlotte 49ers, was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 3rd round of the NFL draft on Friday night.
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TO HELP ELEVATE THE NEXT GENERATION
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With winter upon us, the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation is partnering with Urban Impact to help provide warm coats for youth in our community. At AHFF, we believe in empowering the next generation to thrive, and sometimes that begins with meeting a very practical need. Watch the video to hear from Pastor Ed Glover, Founder and President of Urban Impact, as he shares how this partnership is making a meaningful difference in the lives of local kids.