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Westbrook Nominated for Community Award

Although he’s been living in the Bay Area for the past four months, Brian Westbrook hasn’t stopped giving back to his hometown of Washington D.C. And for the running back’s philanthropic efforts, he has been nominated for the Jefferson Award for Public Service.

Westbrook’s contributions to his community have primarily been to less fortunate children through his nonprofit organization, “Brian’s Blessings.”

“It’s so humbling to be nominated for this award,” Westbrook said. “A very large number of athletes participate in positive things like giving back in their communities, and this award celebrates all the guys out there working hard for the betterment of their neighborhoods, schools and the roots they came from themselves.”

Westbrook is one of 10 NFL players who have been named a finalist for the 2011 award. There are several different categories of Jefferson Award winners, and they range from professional athletes, to high-profile individuals who have dedicated their lives to public service, to every-day volunteers.

Fans can vote for Westbrook by texting “30” to 99158 or by clicking here.

Westbrook believes in leaving a place better than he found it, and with that in mind he plans to extend his reach to the children of the Bay Area.

“If I can make sure that just one family can put a Thanksgiving dinner on the table or that just one child has a backpack and the tools they need to learn, that’s a great feeling,” Westbrook said. “And when I can do those things two and three hundred times over, well, that’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.”

Brian’s Blessings was established to help local, less fortunate children foster a sense of high self worth by providing them with the tools they need to learn, play and achieve their dreams. The goal is to raise awareness of the needs of the underprivileged and to address those needs. In addition to providing tangibles such as food, educational materials and toys at the holidays, Brian’s Blessings also strives to provide empowerment and inspiration to the children so they can become successful in their futures.