Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy Essay Contest

This year Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy challenged students to write about a time they overcame an obstacle. After reading thousands of essays, Justin and Lauran picked the top essays to come to the December 6th Giants game vs. the Dallas Cowboys. Students got to go on the field prior to the game and see the players warm-up as well as take a private tour of the NY Giants locker room with Justin and Lauran after the game!

Congratulations to this year's Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy Essay Contest Winners:

MS203
Student: Yodirys Rosario

Jackie Robinson Middle School
Student: Mariah Rivera

Brooklyn Collegiate
Student: Niyamani Watson

Bronx Math
Student: Azalie Gonzalez

Eagle Academy
Student: German Darnley

Central Middle School, Alabama
Student: Alex Trott, 7th Grade

Justin and his wife Lauran at Dec 6th Giants game. BACK ROW: Lauran Tuck, Yadirys Rosario, Justin Tuck. FRONT ROW: Mariah Rivera, German Darnley, Niyamani Watson, Alex Trott, and Azalie Gonzales	Essay Contest Winner Niyamani Watson from Brooklyn Collegiate Middle School and her brother, Devon Wells
Essay Contest Winners and Lauran Tuck on the field, prior to the game.

Justin Tuck named to Dream Team for Public Service at All Stars Helping Kids' 3rd Annual Sports, Business & Philanthropy Luncheon

December 8, 2009

More than 150 people gathered at the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan on Tuesday December 8th to recognize the accomplishments of ten professional athletes who are members of the Jefferson Award for Public Service Dream Team and the winner of the "Bill Walsh Champion of Change Award": legendary trailblazer and basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman. Tuck joined fellow Dream Team members Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Lauryn Williams (Track and Field), and Nnamdi Asomugha (Oakland Raiders) that morning to ring the opening bell at the NASDAQ stock exchange in Times Square.

Tuck with the 2009 Bill Walsh Champion of Change Award Recipient and Basketball Hall of Famer, Nancy Lieberman	Justin Tuck with Jefferson Awards Dream Team members, Lauryn Williams, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Stuart Holden
	Tuck accepting his Jefferson Award for Public Service with All Stars' Founder, Ronnie Lott, and Jefferson Awards

Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy Sponsors and Friends Reception
March 11, 2009
Pink Elephant – New York, NY

On March 11th, sponsors, supporters and friends of Lauran and Justin Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy program gathered at New York nightclub Pink Elephant to celebrate the successful first year of the literacy program. In its inaugural year, Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy donated over 17,500 books to over 1,500 deserving children. "Thank you to all R.U.S.H. for Literacy supporters for making this program such a success!"

*Update 12/11/2008*
Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy has officially partnered with
All Stars Helping Kids. We will continue to work with First Book because they provide our foundation with books and reading materials in the most cost-effective manner, but we are working with All Stars going forward because they're going to provide us with back office support to grow our program. Our book report contest went well this year and both our AL and NY winners had a lot of fun at the Giants' games — on a personal note, visiting the schools and reading the book reports reinforced my belief that we are really helping and inspiring these children to take their education seriously.

Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy aspires to encourage children to READ, UNDERSTAND, SUCCEED, and HOPE as they continue to nurture literacy in their lives. This charity program is committed to raise funds to donate books and other reading materials to benefit the local New York and Central Alabama communities. Also, for every sack Justin records in the 2008 NFL Season, he has pledged $1,000 to help the New York and Alabama school systems.

Justin looks to give back to the New York City community that has supported him by providing new books to the children who need them the most beginning with the kick-off of the 2008 football season. The campaign will launch with a celebration event in New York City to include a special appearance by Justin, children from community-based programs, local dignitaries and literacy advocates.

In collaboration with the Mayor's Office, four (4) Title I schools, throughout the metro New York area, have been selected to participate in this program. First Book will register these programs so they will be eligible to receive an ongoing supply of free and low cost books for the children they serve. Through this initiative, 1,000 children will each receive a collection of four (4) books and participate in Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy Book Club. Each child is responsible for reading one book per month during the football season (two in November) and writing a brief book report. Book reports will be judged by school teachers and administrators over the contest timeframe. Judging requirements will be determined by a panel at a later date.

To begin the program, a launch event will take place on Tuesday, September 16th at the Sports Museum of America. Children from each participating school will receive their book collection, tour the sports museum, receive goodie bags and meet Justin and Lauran Tuck. The remainder of the book collections will be shipped to school contacts for in-school distribution during the week of September 15th. Lauran Tuck will visit each school to help with this initiative and announce the Book Club grand prize.

In early December, one (1) child per school (total of four children) will be awarded the grand prize of tickets (along with their family) to a NY Giants home game in the month of December.

"I have always felt passionately about literacy and now I am able to do something about it. I cannot be more excited to partner with First Book and help thousands of children throughout the years through education and literacy. I hope you'll join me in supporting the Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy program to bring even more books into the hands of children who need them the most!"

-Justin Tuck

First Book provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy — access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 60 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities.

First Book has distributed more than 300,000 new books throughout Manhattan to over 290 schools and community-based programs. First Book has active Advisory Boards in East Harlem, Jamaica, Long Island, Manhattan College, Manhattan and Staten Island. To support First Book and Tuck's R.U.S.H. for Literacy program, please visit www.firstbook.org/justintuck.