Patrick Peterson to host ‘Celebs and Steaks’ to benefit at-risk youth

PHOENIX — Patrick Peterson feels obligated to give back to the community, especially its children.

“I am in a powerful position to give back to these kids that may look up to me, that may want to be like but don’t have the proper resources to be like me,” he said Monday at Donovan’s Steak and Chop House while talking about his ‘Celebs and Steaks’ event, which will benefit the Patrick Peterson Foundation for Success. “By me growing up, my mom always told me without an education you won’t be anyone, and I’ve seen a bunch of guys with great talent not only in football, but like drawing, being a nurse, being a doctor, but didn’t have the proper tools to help them be successful.

“Once I was able to give back and being in the NFL, obviously they pay me pretty good so it was a no-brainer to give back and kind of show these kids with the proper tools, there’s no way that you can’t be successful.”

The Patrick Peterson Foundation for Success’ stated mission is to provide low-income and inner city youth with opportunities and resources to reach their full potential.

The Celebs and Steaks event, which will feature some of his Cardinals teammates as well as other notable people serving a four-course meal to guests, is scheduled for Monday, June 9.

“I believe it’s a good way to raise money and to be able to do some of the things that we want to do in a much broader perspective,” the 23-year-old Peterson said. “We want to be able to reach out to 30,000 kids, that’s our goal, by the end of 2015.

“I believe in having these guys around, having the proper executives and employees come out and donate money toward things we need like the books, the school supplies, the list goes on — the shoes. Whatever the case may be, I think it was a great idea to do it here in Arizona.”

Peterson believes his notoriety and reputation for being a valuable member of the community will help draw a crowd to the event, which in turn allows him to use his fame to help others.

“I had a connection with this matter, watching kids grow up without the proper supplies and without the proper things that they need to be successful,” he said. “Once I got here, that was some of the things. Once I got in the NFL, I knew what I wanted to do.”

Peterson said the only questions were about what exactly he would do to help, not about whether he would help or not. It’s almost as if he has no choice but to help.

“I can relate to what they’re going through,” he said.

General admission tickets for the event, which will start at 7:00 p.m., are on sale for $250 each, while VIP tickets are going for $350. There will also be a silent auction, with all the proceeds going to the foundation.

“Every dollar that is spent here, every check that is written to the Patrick Peterson for Success is going back to those kids to help those kids be successful.”

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