Connor Barwin’s Make the World Better Foundation’s Ralph Brooks Park Fundraiser

It was only a few weeks ago I was writing about Bud Selig’s visit to Philadelphia and his comments about the Phillies being the most philanthropic team in the MLB. The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t too shabby, either. There’s Brent Celek’s “Take Flight” Foundation for kids’ education, DeMeco Ryan’s Foundation supporting children’s healthy eating, and Todd Herremans Foundation, which raises money for various children’s charities in need.

Now Connor Barwin has started a foundation called the Make the World Better Foundation (MTWB is an acronym for his parents’ names: Margret Thomas and William Barwin). Friday night Barwin hosted a concert at Union Transfer to raise money for Ralph Brooks Park at 20th and Tasker Streets, a park in need of renovation that Barwin would pass on his bike rides to “work” from his Rittenhouse Square residence. Plans were already underway to revitalize the park; they just needed that extra push — including money to meet the goals set out by the organizations that were in place, including Urban Roots, the ACE Mentor Program, and the Philadelphia Water Department.

The major fundraiser to get them over the hurdle was held Friday night at Union Transfer where Connor Barwin hosted a VIP cocktail party were fans could meet their favorite players. Afterward there was a concert where Kurt Vile and the Violators, The Districts and The Tontons played to a sold-out crowd. The artists donated their services to the organization as did the music hall, along with all proceeds from the bar that evening. When the total is tallied, Connor Barwin is going to match it. In no time, the Ralph Brooks Park will be a safe place for kids to play again.

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Make The World Better's Ralph Brooks Park Fundraiser

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From left: Philadelphia deputy managing director Ade Fuqua, deputy mayor of administration and coordination and Philadelphia managing director Richard Negrin, president of JDT International Jeffrey Tubbs, and Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin.

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From left: Tali Mazzola, director of Urban Roots Marketing, and Amber Knee.

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From left: Holly Gallegher with Jennifer, Patrick (offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles), and Allyson Shurmur.

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Amanda and Daniel Olsovsky.

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From left: Lynette Camacho, special events for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Korinne Dennis, coordinator of programs at Eagles Youth Partnership.

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From left: Bob Shaw of Urban Roots, Jeff Tubbs, president of JDT International, and Bill Berkowitz.

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From left: Eagles offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde, Kevin Crowley of the Philadelphia Wings, and Eagles offensive lineman Michael Bamiro.

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From left: Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, Elizabeth Dee and fiancé Todd Herremans.

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From left: Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans and Jahmall Crandall, director of I.AM.SP.

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Eagles center Jason Kelce (right) chats with Eagles coach Patrick Shurmur.

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From left: Jason Cevera of halfGenius, Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper, and Rachel Cevera, Mural Arts, who is partnering with the project.

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There was a silent auction to raise additional funds. Everything was selling briskly except for the Michael Vick signed Eagles helmet, which still didn’t have a buyer when I left after 2 hours.

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From left: Barbara Eberlein, president of Eberlein Design Consultants Ltd, and Christina Weiss Lurie, president of Eagles Youth Partnership.

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From left: Kaitlin Cooperstein with Howard and Spike Eskin.

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The plans for Ralph Brooks Park.

HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.