Before the Los Angeles Rams departed for the Lone Star state to take on the Houston Texans for their final preseason matchup, the team hosted their annual 'Kickoff for Charity Luncheon' presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union on Wednesday, August 28, at The Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Los Angeles community through the Rams Foundation.
This unique Luncheon allows Rams' sponsors, community supporters and fans to be seated alongside players, coaches and Legends as well as listen to a season preview by Rams Head Coach Sean McVay. Attendees had a chance to bid on auction items including Super Bowl tickets, a suite experience for the Rams vs. Saints home opener at the Coliseum, four pregame field passes and premium club seats to the 2020 Rams home opener at LA Stadium at Hollywood Park, and a road trip on the team plane when the Rams travel to Cleveland for a Sunday Night Football matchup against the Browns.
"The Kickoff for Charity Luncheon is an unbelievable chance to welcome you all back as we prepare to defend our NFC title in 2019 starting next week," said COO Kevin Demoff in his remarks to the audience. "This is truly one of my favorite events of the year because it brings together our partners, our great fans, players and coaches to celebrate the start of a great new season."
With more than 70 tables at the Luncheon, Rams players valued meeting partners and fans while enjoying a delicious meal. Rams' Defensive Back NICKELL ROBEY-COLEMAN made connections at his table and was able to talk football with fans.
"As an organization, we try to make great change anywhere we can and have a positive impact on the community," said Robey-Coleman. "To be at a table and to know that they are really involved, that we have their support and the city has our back, that's really cool. You get to sit down and have good conversations, might grab a few business cards and just talk football."
Check out photos form the Los Angeles Rams 2019 Kickoff for Charity Luncheon presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union.
Defensive tackle (69) Sebastian Joseph-Day of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
COO Kevin Demoff of the Los Angeles Rams speaks to guests at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive lineman (90) Michael Brockers of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams speaks to Jim Hill at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Linebacker (52) Clay Matthews of the Los Angeles Rams is introduced at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Head Coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams is introduced at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
of the Los Angeles Rams is introduced at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald and Running back (30) Todd Gurley II of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Tackle (73) David Edwards of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Safety (26) Marqui Christian of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive back (31) Darious Williams of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Running back (34) Malcolm Brown of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Cornerback (23) Nickell Robey-Coleman of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide Receiver (19) Jojo Natson of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Jim Hill speaks to guests at the Los Angeles Rams Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams is introduced at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Wide Receiver (18) Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams is introduced at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Quarterback (16) Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Running back (30) Todd Gurley II of the Los Angeles Rams is introduced at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Safety (43) John Johnson III of the Los Angeles Rams is introduced at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Running back (37) Matt Colburn of the Los Angeles Rams poses with guests for a table group picture at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams speaks to Jim Hill at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Safety (32) Eric Weddle of the Los Angeles Rams is introduced at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
COO Kevin Demoff of the Los Angeles Rams speaks to guests at the Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, Wednesday, August 28, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
This year's Luncheon was one unlike any other. The Rams partnered with Café Momentum, a non-profit restaurant and professional training facility that provides employment, life skills training, and wraparound care to youth exiting juvenile detention facilities. During the Luncheon, youth from the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility assisted the banquet staff with serving responsibilities.
Additionally, in September, the Rams will host a pop-up dinner with Café Momentum to support their local at-risk youth in achieving their full potential while paving a path for the development of future programs across the LA region and the nation.
"Our mission is to create advocacy beyond just the four walls of our restaurant and beyond our city [Dallas, Texas], that's why I'm very grateful to be here today," said Founder, CEO and Executive Chef of Café Momentum Chad Houser. "I'm very grateful to partner with the Los Angeles Rams and I'm grateful to host one of our pop-up dinners here in LA next month."
Since returning home to Los Angeles, Rams staff, players, cheerleaders and Rampage have spent more than 6,900 hours in the community to help bring to life the projects that previous luncheons have helped fund including partnerships with more than 90 local non-profits and schools.
