Dalton's Foundation takes another step

Andy Dalton’s burgeoning foundation takes another step Saturday in its first golf scramble at Twin Oaks Golf & Plantation Club in Covington, Ky. The Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation that he runs with his wife is geared to families with special needs children has planned a spring full of events. Last week the couple hosted a “Date Night,” where they and volunteers babysat while giving the parents a dinner at a downtown Cincinnati hotel. On June 5 they’ll host a Celebrity Waiter Night where his teammates help raise funds. “We have this platform and we have it for only so long,” said Dalton Tuesday in a news conference where he outlined the expansion of his efforts. “God has blessed us with so much; me with the ability to play football and the platform that goes with it. We try not to take it for granted. Trying to bless others with the blessings we’ve got.”Some of his teammates are going to play Saturday with an ever-changing list that includes wide receiver A.J. Green, left guard Clint Boling, linebacker Vontaze Burfict, running backs Cedric Peerman and Rex Burkhead, punter Kevin Huber, long snapper Clark Harris, and fellow quarterback Andy Dalton. The event, which begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m., is sold out but information for tickets to the post-round reception at 2 p.m. that includes a silent auction can be found at AndyDalton.org. The foundation’s newest project is the Pass It On Fund, designed to provide medical equipment and/or financial aid in the hopes of allowing families to be independent and improve their quality of life. Since its inception late last year he says about 20 families have been in the program with heart-felt results. “That’s just going to keep growing,” Dalton said. “We were able to provide a mentoring program for this kid and it was the first time that the mom heard the kid say, ‘I love you.’ Things like that, that just hits home.” Related stories about The Andy & Jordan Dalton Foundation: Dalton embraces the call: Andy and Jordan visit Cincinnati's Shriners Hospital for Children A high five: Dalton celebrates the holidays with a party for 17 families Power of positive thinking: Dalton's Foundation donates "The Hub" to hospital, a locker supplied with iPads, notebook computers, DVD players, gaming systems, and other items to pass time while a child is undergoing treatment or recovery. **