Theodore Atlas Foundation’s 28th Annual Dinner

I met Teddy 39 years ago and in almost 4 decades of friendship, one thing has been a constant - loyalty to a commitment.

Certainly, for his Staten Island, NY community. If he can help, he’ll show up and do the heavy lifting - every time! 

It’s that time of year again. Time for the annual “Teddy Dinner”.

If it was up to him, he’d spend most of his time with his family and grandchildren. While he now hosts a massively popular podcast, “The Fight”, he no longer trains fighters and hasn’t been in a ring as a fighter himself since he was a young man.

But, Teddy Atlas is still fighting every day.

He is fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Almost 3 decades later, Atlas’ greatest passion is helping those in need.

On Thursday, November 24, 2024, long-time boxing legend Teddy Atlas will host the 28th annual “Teddy Dinner” in honour of his late father. Teddy’s father, a legendary Staten Island doctor, founded 2 New York area hospitals, and clearly inspired a philanthropic passion in his son.

As this year’s poster says, “28 years of helping people in need - All proceeds go to those in need”.

They keep it simple and channel all the funds and energy into helping others less fortunate.

Atlas, a Boxing Hall of Fame member and long-married father and grandfather has been hosting the dinners for nearly 3 decades to raise awareness and support to help those in a tough spot on his native Staten Island.

Atlas has kept the foundation as grassroots as possible. He has worked hard to minimize the red tape, instead putting all the funds and resources into helping those in need as quickly as possible.

The foundation looks at any and all, requests for support and help. No request is too big and certainly no request is too small. They keep their mantra simple - if there is someone in need, they will try to help.

From 1:1 support to building large corporate support systems, the Theodore Atlas Foundation is there to meet the requests - Medical Assistance Programs, Youth Sports and Music Programs, Food Pantry, Handicapped Assistance Programs, Scholarship Programs, Educational Incentive Programs - you name it. The list goes on and on. 

The donations and auctions raise huge funds to handle the request throughout the year and much of this is in part due to the celebrity lineup of guests that appear. From world champion athletes to famous actors and celebrities, the dinner has attracted some of the most recognizable names in sports and entertainment. 

As Teddy said in a recent post, “Many champion people coming to help us lift those who have been knocked down in life”,

 And that is exactly why the Theodore Atlas Foundation is there to help.

Teddy, like his father, doesn’t seek praise or recognition for his efforts. He wants the spotlight on those supporting the foundation. And more importantly, he wants to bring attention, awareness, and support to those in need.

He, like his father, just humbly goes about doing what he can - while changing lives and communities in the process.

If you know Teddy, you know he fiercely, unabashedly, and understandably beams with love and pride when talking about his son Teddy and daughter Nicole.

Teddy, I know another father who would be very proud.