Photo by Sophie Mac Photography
The Rizzo Family Foundation held their second RizKids charity event at the MGM National Harbor, and it was another smashing success! The event was well attended by Washington Nationals players, past and present, as well as hundreds of people that were able to sign-up before it was sold-out.
Everyone knows the Rizzo name with Mike Rizzo’s World Series win as the former GM of the team, but it is Jodi Rizzo who is the chief architect of the event. Once again, she nailed every aspect of the event that began with a blackjack tournament then went to a barbecue dinner with an open bar.
Mike Beezley, an executive at MGM National Harbor was the emcee for the evening and kept things running smooth. The six blackjack tables had chips with no monetary value — but they did have bragging rights towards some nice prizes.
What has monetary value is the money that the charity then passes on to children’s charities, and once again two Kim Rizzo Penway Scholarships were awarded with Camryn Howard and Ti’Asia Johnson as this year’s recipients as they are on their way to college. Additionally, there are other children’s charities and groups that receive grants like KEEN Greater DC and Leveling the Playing Field.
It was an added bonus to see retired players like Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard, politicians, and local VIPs as well as familiar faces. There were a bunch of current players like MacKenzie Gore, Jake Irvin, Trevor Williams, CJ Abrams, Jacob Young, and Paul DeJong. Current first base coach and World Series champ, Gerardo Parra, was there as well as other members of the Nats’ staff and front office. From the 1991 Super Bowl Champion Washington Redskins, Brian Mitchell, was there for the event.
Many of the TalkNats crew were there to support the efforts and in addition, my wife’s employer, Capital Bank Home Loans, contributed $5,000 to the fundraising. We attended last year also and looked forward to this event this year.
Among the donors who helped raise more than $100,000 for the Rizzo Family Foundation, were former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and his son Peter, David Jones, the Founding Partner of Capitol Counsel and a Board Member of the Rizzo Foundation, and Jones fiancé Ashley Forrester of Samsung Electronics America, Lisa Lang of Capital Bank Home Loans, Ed Carp of Carp Real Estate, Chris Peterson, owner of Arbor Strategies in Richmond, Robert Materazzi, owner of Shelly’s Backroom in DC, Lyndon Boozer, a Partner at the lobbying firm Capitol Counsel in DC, Mike & Morgan Brand, owners of Penn Quarter Sports Tavern in DC, Lee and Stacey Shenker, philanthropists from Bethesda, Nick Kelly of Encore Sports and Entertainment in Del Mar, CA, Bradley Beychok and Ryan Berni, co-owners of Lilette Advisors in DC, Chris Lansburgh, CEO of Edgesource Corporation in Alexandria, and Lynn Jacquez, a lobbyist at CJ Lake.
The mood in the room at the Blossom Bar at the MGM complex was great on that Sunday night as the attendees were there to raise more money for charity. You can certainly find more information on how to contribute to the Rizzo Family Foundation on this Instagram link.
Jodi Rizzo summed it up well when she told me, “We wanted to raise money for the charity to help local kids, and to have an event to make it fun at the same time.” The Rizzo Foundation delivered on that. By the looks of it, everyone had fun — and a lot of money was raised.
The real stars of the night were Mike and Jodi Rizzo, and all of those who put in their time, and of course all who contributed and especially those who wrote huge sponsorship checks beyond the minimum.
“I truly think this event is the most enjoyable fundraising event I’ve ever been to….always great company and a genuinely good time is had by all,” Carp, a major contributor, said afterwards.
So yes, charity was at the heart of the event, and it delivered big. The Rizzo Family Foundation is committed to strengthening the community by making a lasting, positive impact on the lives of children and their families who are in need of educational, physical, emotional, and/or financial assistance. You can learn more about The Rizzo Family Foundation here. Follow them on social media to learn about upcoming events and how you can help.
For those wondering, the Rizzo family is planning to continue their residence between their homes in the D.C. area and West Palm Beach, Florida, and yes, they are planning to do this event next year and raise even more money for charity!
