By: Stephen Luke

In tough economic times, non-profits can struggle without a champion for their cause. Guiding Eyes for the Blind, an organization that provides guide dogs to people who are blind or visually impaired, doesn’t have just any champion; they have two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning.

Earlier this year, Manning hosted the organization’s 35^th annual golf tournament to raise awareness for their work. The New York Giants quarterback has worked with the non-profit for six years now, after family friend and renowned blind golfer Pat Browne asked if Manning could host the event.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind has provided freedom to the blind and visually impaired since it was founded over 50 years ago and has recently expanded their program to include autistic children. Last year, the golf tournament raised over $650,000 to help ensure the organization could continue providing dogs and support to those in need.

The tournament was started by PGA legend Ken Venturi in 1977 and has raised over $7 million for Guiding Eyes. Manning’s association with the event has only furthering the cause. It refreshing to see a football player of his caliber working with such a noteworthy non-profit, and maybe the work he and Cam Newton have done will inspire other players to go above the call of duty for those in need.

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Written by Sinead

Sinead recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. As a Longhorn, she bleeds orange and fanatically watches every football game. Her love for UT football is only rivaled by that of the Cowboys, as she is a native of Dallas.