Kenny Reid moved nervously through the VIP lounge at the St. Regis hotel on Saturday night, passing the hulking shoulders of millionaire NFL players who had arrived in a herd of Bentleys, BMWs and Mercedes coupes.

Reid, 24, needed a ride there. He needed help picking out his best suit and tie. He has needed these players — all clients of Newport Beach-based Athletes First sports representation firm — to help him rebuild his life, one lacking the fortunes of pro football, one challenged by lost parents, foster homes and, for two years, the rock-bottom feeling of believing he had no future.

Reid used to think he was out of chances. He was only 14 when his father died of cancer. Devastated, his mother turned to alcohol to numb the pain, escape from responsibilities and forget her three sons. Social workers took them out of their Huntington Beach home, placing them at a transitional home run by the Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

“Orangewood took us in when we had nowhere to go,” said a grateful Reid. “There, we were loved, cared for and learned we could have futures.” For the past five years, Athletes First and CEO David Dunn have worked with Orangewood. They do more than throw money its way, donating proceeds from swanky galas and golf events, which raise more than $350,000 for the home each year.  Read entire of the story HERE

Ray Lewis, right, the Super Bowl XXXV MVP and 11-time Pro Bowl linebacker, was honored on Saturday night for his community involvement. “I don’t think there’s a greater calling that we have. But most importantly, it’s about being together and helping as a football brotherhood that not that many people know about,” said Lewis, pictured with pal Ray Etheridge. “The game takes care of itself but being here for this type of cause and knowing who we are affecting is truly the only reason we live. You see all these hearts here coming together to help the babies.”