Smart Guy Rob Smith Honored by the JT Dorsey Foundation

We are proud of 'Smart Guy' Rob Smith, Vice President of Soccer Development and Relations for the Philadelphia Union who is being honored this week by the JT Dorsey Foundation with a 'Service Through Soccer' Award for his hard work in the community.  Smart guys give back!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 22, 2011

PHILADELPHIA UNION VICE PRESIDENT ROB SMITH AND HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS OWNER ERIC PETTIS RECEIVING ‘SERVICE THROUGH SOCCER’ AWARDS FROM THE JT DORSEY FOUNDATION DURING THE AUGUST 24^TH  MATCH BETWEEN THE TEAMS IN HARRISBURG, PA

Harrisburg, Pa. – The JT Dorsey Foundation’s 1st Annual JTDF Service through Soccer Award will be presented August 24th during a halftime ceremony at the Philly Union vs Harrisburg City Islanders game to Eric Pettis of the Harrisburg City Islanders and Rob Smith of the Philadelphia Union, in honor of their impactful work with young people and their communities. 

The JT Dorsey Foundation is committed to providing opportunities to expose youth, particularly those who have limited resources and services, to soccer and the positive youth development skills that come along with team sports and cooperative activities.  The organization firmly believes that soccer can be a developmental vehicle for life, and this experience is enhanced by the role models and dedicated coaches who graciously volunteer their time and services to help young people learn the sport and all of its life lessons. 

Two such role models are Eric Pettis and Rob Smith who have worked with and supported the organization since its inception. Rob and Eric have both provided opportunities for JTDF youth to attend both Union and Islander games and have provided equipment, resources and community partnerships to allow participants to learn valuable life skills while playing, coaching and officiating the game of soccer.  Rob and Eric’s involvement has model team work, good sportsmanship, and philanthropy to the teens participating in the JTDF, their families and their communities.

From its inception, the JT Dorsey Foundation has run on the core belief that every child, regardless of their origins or station in life, has potential and promise.  “Having community leaders support this belief and reach out again and again, year after year, asking what they can do to support youth development through soccer has allowed this program to grow so rapidly in a short amount of time.  Last year we served over 700 young people, exposing them to soccer and all of its life lessons.” Said JT Dorsey, founder of the organization.  “Rob and Eric not only support us with resources, they attend the events, meet the young people and make them feel valuable.  This award is a way to show them (Rob & Eric) how valuable they are to us and the young people in our communities.”

The awards will be given at halftime of the Union v. Islanders match on August 24^th.  The match will be the Union’s second appearance at City Island, after playing to a 1-1 draw on July 27, 2010.  The Union (www.philadelphiaunion.com) is expected to bring their full squad to the match, which will be a great treat for fans that support both organizations.  All tickets for the match, youth and adult, will be $15 general admission. Ages 3 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased at www.cityislanders.com or by calling 717-441-GOAL. Tickets will be limited; purchasing in advance is strongly recommended.

About the JT Dorsey Foundation:

The JT Dorsey Foundation currently offers programs for youth ages 5-16 located in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York, Pennsylvania.  The JT Dorsey Foundation provides key youth development services that are lacking, but necessary, to underserved populations in those areas.  The JTDF model contains programs that address children and adolescent’s academic, physical, character, social and emotional needs. www.jtdorsey.org

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Smart Moves: Beads by Wood on the Rise

Being a 'Smart Guy' is a ongoing behavior, so we are checking in with some of our favorite 'Smart Guys'. Young businessman on the rise, Guy Wood Jr., shares with us what he's been up to in the past few months and how he is staying smart...





A lot of things have been happening since we last spoke to you.  What does it mean to you to now be a college graduate?

The experience was like no other.  I graduated in may with a bachelors in Business Management.  My course of study helped me develop the skills I need to run my business. I got a chance to mature and learn, and I felt very accomplished walking across the stage.  I want kids to know the value of staying in school, make it all the way through, even when it gets hard.



Are you still working two jobs or just Beads by Woods exclusively?

Actually, I have been working three jobs in order to reach my goals!  All summer I have been working with my father, Guy Wood Sr. at his company, 5001 Flavors, plus the part time job I've had throughout college, and of course, Beads by Wood.

So update us on what has been happening with Beads by Woods in the last six months?



R & B Singer Lloyd and Guy Jr.



My biggest job has been developing my brand and getting a good name behind it and putting out quality products. My business has depended on word of mouth advertising, so the product has to be high quality for people to recommend it to others. Customer satisfaction has been my number one goal and I want to be known for having a good, quality product. I have continued to work with a diverse client base, expanding my business internationally as well as working with some prominent artists in the hip-hop culture.  Terrance J. and Lloyd from 106 & Park have both been wearing Beads by Wood.  Vado and Jadakiss are also wearing bracelets.  David Rush has a chain and bracelet and wears it all the time.

What have been some of the challenges?

The biggest challenge has been managing all of the work as my business expands. Product development, management and customer service are all done by me.  But even with that challenge, I just finished a photo shoot for the company and launced our website beadsbywoods.com



'Elegence' by Beads by Wood



How are you staying motivated?

The feedback I get from my customers helps me to go forward and not give up.  I also have goals I set for myself that I keep in the forefront of my mind and know that I refuse to give up on my goals.  I keep creating new designs and new styles of jewelry. The spike bracelets that we recently launched are doing really well and I just launched men and women necklaces that are getting great feedback. Five years from now I see Beads by Wood with an even bigger international presence, better name recognition and a larger market share within the industry.  I'm also working towards incorporating medal work jewelry.

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'Sharp' & 'Silver Bullet'



We love the pieces that Beads by Wood has shown and the fact that the company has already incorporated giving back, participating in fundraisers for community based organizations and being a role model for other young men.  When we touched based with Guys father, 'Smart Guy' Guy Wood Sr. he said the following about Guy Jr.'s achievements: "I am so proud of the overall success and overwhelming positive response that Beads by Woods has received. The superb product is well crafted and undeniably fashionable. Glad that the entrepreneurial spirit that I possess has been passed on to my son.  I see how focused, creative, hard working, forward thinking and detail oriented he is about every aspect of his business. I'm very proud."