| ! |
Finnegan also announced the formation of his own foundation, The ARK 31 Foundation (ARK: Acts of Random Kindness), a non-profit organization committed to serving children with special needs and disabilities throughout the Middle Tennessee area.
Finnegan created Karaoke For A Cure as his signature fundraiser when he was nominated as a Man of the Year candidate in 2008. It was such a success, featuring many of his fellow Titans and country music celebrities, Finnegan decided to make it an annual event.
The evening was emceed by GAC host Storme Warren with Titans players Colin Allred, Ken Amato, Tony Brown, Kerry Collins, Casey Cramer, Alge Crumpler, Ryan Fowler, Vincent Fuller, Quinton Ganther, Michael Griffin, Ahmard Hall, Lavelle Hawkins, Jovan Haye, Chris Hope, Christian Morton, Jason Murphy, Donnie Nickey, Josh Stamer, David Thornton, Stephen Tulloch, Fernando Velasco, Cary Williams, Vince Young and Coach Chuck Cecil in attendance to support Finnegan's efforts. Country Recording Artists Jason Michael Carroll, Justin Moore and Two Foot Fred were also on hand to lend support and their vocal abilities to the evening's festivities.
The evening's highlights included Finnegan's rendition of select Elvis Presley songs while Kerry Collins sang Michael Jackson's 1982 hit Billy Jean. Collins reminded reporters that he's not a singer, but a songwriter rather.
"While I was on stage, I kept reminding myself that this is for a good cause and supporting a teammate," said Collins.
| ! |
"Cortland's involvement with LLS has been incredible," said Monica Ramey, Senior Campaign Manager of Man & Woman of the Year. "It's humbling that he gave so much to the campaign last year, only to double his efforts this year to help LLS. He worked so hard to not only make his event a continued success, but to help raise significant money for the Man and Woman of the Year Campaign. He's made our organization so very proud."
The Man and Woman of the Year competition nominates a select group of candidates who compete locally, raising money for LLS through a variety of events over a 10-week period. Finnegan was nominated last year as a candidate for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man & Woman of the Year after taking a leadership role in the charity's "Light the Night Walk."
He was also named a Titans Community All-Star in 2008 due to his involvement with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Special Olympics of Middle Tennessee. Finnegan hosts an annual holiday dinner at LP Field for families from those charities. In addition, he donates $50 to LLS and Special Olympics for every tackle he makes during the season. He regularly makes appearances at various schools, community centers and charitable events.
For more information about this event and Finnegan's ARK 31 Foundation, log on to www.ark31.org. For more information about The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man and Woman of the Year Campaign visit www.manwomanoftheyear.org/tn.
