Haynesworth dinner raises money for March of Dimes

! DT Albert Haynesworth hosted his 3rd annual celebrity dinner and auction, "Dining for Dimes" Monday night.

NASHVILLE, TN, Nov. 11, 2008 — Thousands of dollars were raised for the Music City Division of the March of Dimes during Albert Haynesworth's 3rd annual celebrity dinner and auction, "Dining for Dimes" Monday night at The Bound'ry Restaurant.

The All-Pro defensive tackle and numerous fellow and former Titans joined together for an evening of fun, food and festivities while raising more than $25,000 for a great cause. The March of Dimes' mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

"This charity event is really for the kids. That's the purest point of life — the children and infants. There is no sin, no blemishes...nothing. Why not try to preserve that and give every child a chance to make their mark on life," Haynesworth said. "That's what I believe in. If my kids were in the same situation, I would pour as much money or whatever I could into helping them make their mark in life."

One of Haynesworth's cousins has a daughter that was born at five months, weighing one pound, two ounces.

"It kind of hits home for me," Haynesworth said. "Now you see that little girl and she's only nine, but she's almost my height. It personally hits home and I just wanted to do something that no one else is doing."

Haynesworth was joined by several current and former teammates, including Jevon Kearse, Cortland Finnegan, Brandon Jones, Chris Hope, Keith Bulluck, Stephen Tulloch, Kevin Vickerson, and Chris Sanders, among others.

! Among the celebrities at the event (from L to R): Cortland Finnegan, Jay DeMarcus, Keith Bulluck and Jevon Kearse.

The night included outstanding food, a silent auction, live auction, and the opportunity for fans to have their photos taken with a Titans player of their choice. Live auction items included a private wine tasting for six people courtesy of Grand Cru Wines, an autographed Haynesworth football, an oversized autographed Haynesworth *Sports Illustrated *cover, and a private dinner with Haynesworth and five friends at Flemings Steakhouse.

Haynesworth said even if he wasn't a football celebrity, he would put his time and effort into this charity.

"I'd still want to do it because I have kids and I think it's very important to help these children," he said. "That's the root and who is going to carry on our legacies from here on out."

The Pro Bowler was appreciative of the support of his teammates at the event.

"This is like a big family. I have 53 members of my family that I go to work with every day. Anything that we do, each of us is going to be there for each other," Haynesworth said. "It's just a great thing. It's not like going to work every day, it's like going to a family reunion every day."