Community Involvement
Artrell has never taken for granted the opportunities he has had to live his dream and has not forgotten his humble beginnings as a young boy in the Prospect neighborhood of Johnstown, PA.
Those early years laid the foundation that built his character and work ethic which prepared him for both the challenges and successes of his later years. He has a special place in his heart for his hometown, as the well as children from his region, and takes every opportunity to make a difference in the same place that made him.
In June 2010, Artrell launched and hosted his first annual “Summer Youth Football Camp” in his hometown of Johnstown, PA. One hundred high school football players, from eight local high schools, joined Artrell and fellow Johnstown native LaRod Stephens-Howling (Arizona Cardinals), along with other NFL and college players and coaches, in a free camp focused on football, community service, and leadership. The 3-day camp kicked off with a benefit called “Under the Stars with the Stars”, in which all proceeds from the door and silent auction were split between the “Summer Youth Football Camp Fund”, in which Artrell established, and The Dave Seidel Scholarship Fund, in memory of his former high school coach who passed away in 2008. Both funds are maintained by the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies. If you would like to contribute to the “Summer Youth Football Camp Fund”, or find out more information on how you can get involved, please visit www.cfalleghenies.org. The camp’s community piece involved the youth joining community volunteers in sprucing up the Jim Mayer Riverswalk Trail and Sandyvale Memorial Gardens.
Artrell is a frequent guest speaker at his alma mater, Bishop McCort High School. He has also participated in community events with the Laurel Highlands Conference and the East/West All Star Game.
In July 2010, Artrell was inducted to the Cambria County Hall of Fame for his excellence in sports and community involvement over the yeras. This was a great honor for him and his family, and he feels very proud to be in the company of his own mentors in this prestigious group of outstanding individuals from his hometown.
In June 2010, Artrell began serving on the Board of St. Aloysius Orphanage, in Cincinnati Ohio. St. Aloysius serves as a proactive resource to children and families in the Greater Cincinnati area. They are an independent, nondenominational social service agency assisting children with mental and behavioral health problems through a number of different programs. If you would to get involved, or find out more information on St. Aloysius Orphanage, please visit www.staloysiuscincinnati.org.
In August 2010, Artrell was named one of Cincinnati’s Business Courier’s “Forty Under 40″ award recipients. This dynamic group of rising starts is considered the community’s next generation of leaders and innovators.
Artrell has often silently given back to many other communities, besides his own, during his nine year career in the National Football League. Additional community work that Artrell has contributed to includes Upward Football, The Children’s Hospital of Boston, Takeo Spikes 51 Ways Foundation, Jockbiz Bowling for Autism, the New England Patriots and United Way Hometown Huddle, Athletes in Action’s Christrian retreat at the Larimer County Jail in Colorado Springs, frequent work with the local food banks in Cincinatti and Boston, The Boys and Girls Club of Boston and Dayton, Keith Rucker Football Camps, Cincinatti’s Pharmacy over the Rhine, and holiday toy drives for the New England Patriots and the Willie McGinest Foundation. Also, Artrell was an annual contributor to the United Way Foundation during his time in the NFL.
Artrell plans on continuing to work with as many organizations as possible, but also intends on establishing his own foundation in the near future, which would benefit underprivileged children.
