Football Season Means Fandom And Philanthropy For Dedicated Groups

Ravens Roost 27 And Ravens Nest 10 Welcome The New Year

Each time this season that quarterback Joe Flacco slings a touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree or Hayden Hurst, each time that linebacker C.J. Mosley stuffs a rusher on third down, members of several Ravens fan groups around Severna Park and Arnold will have something extra to cheer about.

The Ravens’ success builds excitement around Maryland and interests fans in buying raffle tickets and autographed items that benefit charity.

“As much as we count our blessings, there are always people in need of help,” said Cindy Ricci, president of Ravens Nest 10.

Here’s what each group has planned for the season.

RAVENS NEST 10 — ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

Ravens Nest 10 donates about $20,000 to charity each year, and the club’s 52 members expect to do the same this year. Its 2018 beneficiaries are Special Olympics Maryland – Anne Arundel County, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Maryland Patriot Guard, Operation Welcome Home and SPCA of Anne Arundel County.

Ricci has retired her super-fan persona, the Purple Dame, but she’s not done giving to charity. She did make one special visit before hanging up her purple wig. She went to Canton, Ohio, for the National Football League’s Hall of Fame game and to see linebacker Ray Lewis get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — an experience she likened to a Kodak moment.

“Ray got up and 20 minutes into it, we were looking for the collection plate, because he was preaching,” Ricci said.

Back at home, Ricci and her fellow fans in Nest 10 are gearing up for a family fun night on September 15. For $5, attendees can play at the Severna Park Golf Center from 5:00pm to 7:00pm and then head to Bill Bateman’s between 7:00pm and 9:00pm, because the restaurant will donate 15 percent of the food proceeds to Ravens Nest 10.

Instead of the annual bull and oyster roast, Nest 10 is doing a crab feast on October 7 at Kurt’s Beach from noon to 4:30pm. Tickets are $60.

“We wanted the event to be something that was a little more of a family-fun, all-ages event and allows us the opportunity to watch Ravens football during the event,” Ricci said.

The Nest will also collect toys for North County Emergency Outreach Network over the course of three months.

Like other Ravens fans and philanthropists said, participation is about more than cheering on Sundays.

“The little things that we give are a big deal to the people who really need them,” Ricci said.

To join Ravens Nest 10, which meets on the third Wednesday of the month at Bill Bateman’s at 7:30pm, fill out the application at www.ravensnest10.com.

RAVENS ROOST 27 — SEVERNA PARK

Since the 1960s, when the group was a Colts Corral, Ravens Roost 27 has supported its football team while aiding its community.

Today, its fundraising efforts support prostate cancer research at Johns Hopkins; “105.7 Mo” Gaba, a Glen Burnie seventh-grader fighting cancer; Sharp-Leadenhall Elementary School in Baltimore; and Team Up For 1 Foundation, which enhances the quality of life for children with developmental disabilities, and chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

Asked about his group’s dedication to charity, Lombardi pointed to the collective effort of the Council of Baltimore Ravens Roosts, which has donated roughly $4 million to charity since 2007.

“I go back to the Colts days and the Stallions and the Stars,” Lombardi said, naming Baltimore’s former football teams. “That’s a great accomplishment.”

From a fan perspective, 34 members of Ravens Roost 27 will trek to an away game against the Carolina Panthers on October 28. Twenty-one members were in Canton, Ohio, to watch linebacker Ray Lewis get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 4.

“I’ve been up there before,” Lombardi said, “but half of the members hadn’t, so they enjoyed touring the Hall of Fame, the induction and the parade.”

Currently, Roost 27 has 92 members and they meet at a member’s home in Brittingham. For more information, visit www.councilrr.com.

How much will Ravens Roost 27 raise for charity this year? If that amount depends of the team’s success, Lombardi thinks it will be a good year.

“I think we’re going to win 10 or 11 games,” Lombardi said. “I’m very excited to see all of the rookies this year and Joe Flacco’s new receivers.”