Washington Football Great Dexter Manley Will Marshal Parade Supporting Backpack Drive for Kids

Washington Football Team legend Dexter Manley will be the Grand Marshal of a parade to kick off the 13th Annual Ice Cream Social for Charity in the Park Potomac Community on Saturday at noon.

The event, made possible through the planning and support of Park Potomac residents and businesses, supports the Interfaith Works annual backpack drive to provide more than 3,000 schoolchildren with new backpacks filled with supplies to start the school year right. Attendees at the social are encouraged to bring new backpacks to donate. Interfaith Works is a Montgomery County nonprofit serving more than 17,000 residents each year, helping them find a path to greater stability.

The Lydia & Dexter Manley Foundation is dedicated to ensuring all children in Washington, DC, have access to literacy resources and opportunities to read. In 1985, Manley made national news when he announced that he went through college without being able to read.

He told MyMCM, “That’s the reason (my wife) Lydia and I joined in and want to support this cause because it’s near to my heart. I’ve had a lot of experience with illiteracy. I didn’t have a backpack going to school. I used a sheet and a pillow case.”

Manley starred for the Washington Football Team in the 80’s making the Pro Bowl in 1986 and accumulating 97 quarterback sacks in nine seasons, the most in franchise history. He played in three Super Bowls, winning two (1983 and 1988) and was named to the list of 80 Greatest Washington Football Team players and the Washington Ring of Fame.

Saturday’s event aligns with the missions of both organizations, which are dedicated to helping young people have the tools and opportunities they need to learn successfully.

Come out to Saturday's Ice Cream Social and parade in #ParkPotomac community to benefit IW's backpack drive and see Washington football legend Dexter Manley, grand marshal of the parade! Learn more: https://t.co/vIPOBf3WkQ pic.twitter.com/KgeJ7mOkFb

— Interfaith Works (@InterfaithWorks) August 19, 2021

Come out to the 13th annual Ice Cream Social in #ParkPotomac community to benefit IW's backpack drive on Sat., Aug. 21. The event includes a parade; Grand Marshal will be Washington Football Team great Dexter Manley (Sec'y of Defense!). Learn more: https://t.co/3uSjRsr6hW pic.twitter.com/mLrkQwG8Cm

— Interfaith Works (@InterfaithWorks) August 13, 2021

(Photo courtesy of Dexter Manley)

Related Post:

About Joe Yasharoff

Joe Yasharoff is MCM's Director of Content and Operations. He is also an adjunct journalism professor at the University of Maryland. Previously, Joe was the Managing Editor at NBC Sports Washington and Executive Sports Producer at FOX5 (WTTG-TV). He hosts the MoCo's Most Famous podcast for MCM.

View all posts by Joe Yasharoff