Harford County kids will get a chance to meet departing Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas this weekend as part of the state’s first Athletes Against Drugs program at the Arena Club in Bel Air.

Bel Air chiropractor Dr. Craig Chavis hopes Sunday’s inaugural event will be the beginning of Maryland’s involvement in the national program, in which athletes and celebrities encourage children age 8 to 16 to avoid drugs, gangs, crime and other bad choices, he said.

“Any time you can get children to listen to an adult — especially an athlete or a celebrity who’s out there doing the right things — that’s a valuable thing,” said Don Mathis, executive director of the Harford County Boys and Girls Club, which is sending about 150 of its members on Sunday.

Local corporate sponsors are paying the $20 fee for many of the children to join AAD, which provides athletic camps, tournaments, trips to sporting events, and celebrity lectures and meets like the one this weekend, Chavis said. The organization’s Web site, www.insightforyouth.com, also provides health advice and training tips for young athletes who may not be able to afford a professional trainer or sports doctor.

This story continues below
Advertisement

“For families that don’t have access to a lot of these things, this is a way to get them plugged in,” he said. “We’re trying to show kids how they can go from rec sports to high school sports, to college sports and even to the professional level, without getting into destructive decisions.”

The Chicago-based national organization can draw athletes such as Kobe Bryant, who lends his name to basketball camps, actors such as Chris Rock, Adam Sandler and rapper Bow-Wow, Chavis said.

Youth ages 8 through 16 are being encouraged to join the program, and Chavis said he is reaching out to school athletic directors, rec councils and the Harford Child Advocacy Center for referrals and co-sponsors.

While big companies like Coca-Cola and New Balance are offering giveaways and food Sunday, local sponsors such as Acer Graphics, Top of the Bay Sports and Chavis’ own Integrated Health Centers are helping to pay for participants.

About 500 children are anticipated to join AAD Sunday for the kickoff, which will also have activities such as baseball, football and basketball. The festivities will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Arena Club, at 2304 Churchville Road.

msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com