The votes are in and though Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware didn't win the grand prize in a charity fundraiser, Garland-based Jonathan's Place will still come away with a very sizeable donation.
Ware campaigned on NFL.com for fans to vote for Jonathans Place as the recipient of a $100,000 grant. More than 500,000 fans voted in the competition -- where Ware competed against New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez for the top prize.
Brees took top grant, which will go toward renovating rooms at the American Cancer Society Patrick F. Taylor Lodge in New Orleans.
"I'm thrilled that $100,000 will be going to the Hope Lodge, which will provide cancer patients and their caregiver's rooms through the Pepsi Refresh Project," Brees said on NFL.com. "We're all winners in this project. These grants will help make a real difference in our communities. Thanks to the fans who voted, the support has been outstanding for all of us."
Although Ware's idea didn't receive the most votes, Pepsi is awarding a $25,000 Refresh Project grant to Ware's charity -- Jonathan's Place.
Since 1994, Jonathan's Place has provided assistance for the youngest victims of abuse through two programs - a "home style" emergency shelter for abused and neglected children and a Foster & Adoptive Family Program.
Sanchez's charity, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, will also receive a $25,000 Refresh Project grant.
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A statement on the NFL Web site offered more insight into the Pepsi Refresh Project:
The Pepsi Refresh Project is a groundbreaking effort to foster innovation in social good that will award more than $20 million this year to fund great ideas that improve America's communities. Throughout 2010, Pepsi will fund ideas that will move the world forward in six categories: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education. The Pepsi Refresh Project will feature significant social engagement around people and the power of ideas
