A year after their first trip to Africa together, NFL superstars Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are returning to the continent, this time to West Africa, to continue their relief efforts with international relief and development organization Oxfam America.
During a planned three-day trip to Senegal beginning March 11, Boldin and Fitzgerald will be joined by fellow star receiver Roddy White on a visit with local communities working with Oxfam to improve their access to livelihoods, increase their income, and ensure food security.
“I’m looking forward to my second trip to Africa with Oxfam and the opportunity to make an impact within the communities we visit,” said Boldin. “Getting together again to work with Larry, and being joined by Roddy is a blessing. It’s our duty to help those less fortunate whether they’re here at home or elsewhere in the world.”
Building on their experience in Ethiopia with Oxfam in 2012, Fitzgerald, Boldin, and now White will learn ways that communities are working together to reduce their vulnerability to disaster and increase political, social, and economic opportunities for women and youth.
"I've made great friends in the NFL. I'm looking forward to sharing this Oxfam trip with Roddy and Anquan to see what people in Senegal are doing to improve their conditions,” said Fitzgerald. “Any time I get to team up with Q again it means a lot to me. I travel often but it's an opportunity of a lifetime to travel with Oxfam America to meet local people and learn about their lives and their work."
Boldin and Fitzgerald’s visit and subsequent work on the Ethiopian food crisis last year generated tens of thousands of dollars for the relief effort, as well as much needed publicity for the work being done by Oxfam partners on the ground. The players and their generous fans have played a key role in helping numerous communities in Ethiopia respond to the crisis.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to work again with Mr. Boldin and Mr. Fitzgerald, and are honored to have Mr. White join us on this trip,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “As ambassadors for Oxfam Mr. Boldin and Mr. Fitzgerald have worked tirelessly to raise awareness for the situation in Ethiopia, and we are honored to have them visit our friends and programs in Senegal. It’s a great opportunity to highlight what local communities are doing for themselves, and how Oxfam and our supporters, can help.”
After hearing about their experiences in Ethiopia in 2012, Roddy White was eager for the chance to join the trip this year.
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Note to Editors: Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald will be available to speak to the press via phone and Skype during the trip. Oxfam America spokespeople will also be available, in addition to photos and video during the trip.
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Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. We save lives, develop long-term solutions to poverty, and campaign for social change. As one of 17 members of the international Oxfam confederation, we work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions.