HAMPTON
Cover 3 Foundation, since its creation in 2009, has partnered with several local businesses and organizations to help inspire, motivate and feed children through Virginia. This spring, the non-profit community service organization in Franklin will host its inaugural Reach, Teach, Feed Celebration as a way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who have helped make a difference.

“We wanted to make sure that we showed our appreciation to all of our sponsors, business affiliates and schools that have played an intricate part of getting us where we are today,” said Greg Scott, founder and CEO of Cover 3 Foundation. “I don’t want to get into naming too many names because I don’t want to forget anybody, but we have some companies that went above and beyond to help us reach our full potential.”

The dinner program will feature Scott and Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. Scott played five years in the National Football League under Lewis, who was also his defensive coordinator when the former played for the Washington Redskins.

“Our relationship goes way back,” Scott said. “He came to work me out before the draft, and I’ve always gotten a real good feeling from him. I respect him a lot, and he’s a good leader. It’s hard to always stay on top of your game and lead a group of men that are making a lot of money and keep egos down, but he was always very good at that.”

The retired defensive lineman said that he always looked up to his former coach because of how he went about his business every day.

“I got to see him interact with so many different people, [whether it was his] players, coaches or the owner,” Scott said. “He always kept his cool, composure and stayed level-headed. One of his favorite quotes was, ‘Don’t flinch.’ Things are going to happen, but just say the course. You keep chopping to get to where you need to be. I just admired his charisma and how he could always get across to people better than others could.”

Scott said that he and the 2009 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year still talk, despite the fact that he hasn’t played professional football in more than eight years. When Lewis heard about Cover 3’s mission, he was immediately on board to be the event’s keynote speaker.

“I know he’s a busy man, so I shoot him a text a couple times a year. But the wonderful thing is that he always gets back to me. That’s special,” Scott said. “Not only was he a hell of a head coach and a great leader, but he’s an even better person. He’s all about giving back to the community and helping people when you can. He was always that type of person, so I’m sure that him seeing what we’re doing here at Cover 3 Foundation hit home with him, as well. When he found out about the even and who was doing it, he said he was going to come out on his own dime. That says a lot about what he thinks of me and what Cover 3 Foundation is doing.”

The event will be held at Hampton University, “sometime before April,” Scott said. The date will be finalized with Scott’s alma mater and Lewis’ camp in the coming weeks.

More than 30 different local, state and nationwide businesses and organizations are expected to attend the celebration, which will feature dinner and silent auction of black and white autographed and framed photos of children impacted by Cover 3. Those interested in sponsoring or attending can purchase tickets by contacting Cover 3 at 562-2252.

“I’m thankful that [Lewis] can come out and be a part of this special event,” Scott said. “I guess he’s the prime example of big people not forgetting about the little people they came across, and I just really appreciate his demeanor and attitude and the relationship that we’ve formed throughout time.”