And just like that, the year of 2023 has come and gone in the blink of an eye. We hope you’ve been following along with all the exciting moments and memories with our Valiant team but in case you missed anything, let’s take a look back with you all to see what made this a truly incredible year for Valiant 3 Communications.
Let’s start off on March 11, 2023 where we hosted an exclusive cocktail party in Naples, FL for the Chuck Noll Foundation. We had a wonderful time learning more about the incredible grant recipients of the 2022 grant cycle alongside our friend and board member, Merril Hoge, Executive Director, John Denny, and many others. It was a warm and wonderful event we are excited to host again in February 2024.
April 21-24, 2023: AANS 2023 Conference
Our client, the Chuck Noll Foundation, specializes in brain injury research and awards grants in order to advance research related to the diagnosis and treatment of injuries to the brain occurring primarily from sports activities. We supported them in attending the annual AANS 2023 conference in Los Angeles in support of our entire science advisory committee and to announce some exciting news about the foundation’s work with the University of Pittsburgh’s National Sports Brain Bank.
April 27, 2023: The 2023 Draft Party with Draft 412
We helped put together the inaugural 2023 Draft Party at Stage AE presented by Draft 412. They celebrated the unofficial kickoff to the NFL season with the Jerome Bettis, Bus Stops Here Foundation and our master of ceremonies, the wonderful Merril Hoge. He alongside other analysts from Draft 412 offered commentary and expert analysis on each pick and trade of the draft.
It was an incredibly fun event with local vendors from all around Pittsburgh to add to the draft experience and kick off the season.
May 4, 2023: CEO Vision Breakfast
We were excited to work with Vibrant Pittsburgh this year on their CEO Vision breakfast. This event continues to be one of the largest invitation-only, executive gatherings focused on Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the Pittsburgh region. This year it focused on robust strategies to further equip regional companies for the future of workplaces.
Vibrant Pittsburgh is a nonprofit organization that is focused on the economic development of the Pittsburgh region. Their mission is to create a future-forward region by accelerating the business community toward equitable, inclusive, and diverse workplaces.
May 7-8, 2023: Jerome Bettis Blue and Gold Classic
Back again for another incredible year at East Lake Golf Club for the Blue and Golf Classic! This two day event featured a star-studded celebrity line-up of Notre Dame greats and icons in sports and entertainment to support the Bus Stops Here Foundation and the Notre Dame Endowment.
We are so grateful to have consistent support from so many across the U.S. that make each year so memorable.
Drumroll please….next year we will be taking the Blue and Gold Classic out of Atlanta and over to the Hamptons! Contact us to learn more about foursomes and sponsorship opportunities before it’s sold out.
May 18, 2023: National Sports Brain Bank Conference
On Thursday, May 18th we celebrated the official launch of the groundbreaking initiative that was made possible by a generous lead grant from our client, the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research.
The NSBB is a long-term observational study and brain donation registry for former contact sport participants. “Athletes who participate in contact sports such as football, soccer, boxing, wrestling, ice hockey and many others may have experienced one or more concussions or mild traumatic brain injury events during their career.”
Our very own Jerome Bettis and Merril Hoge have also decided to participate in this initiative standing alongside representatives from the University as the inaugural participants of the NSBB and will be donating their brains. Exciting work to come!
June 6, 2023: Women’s Concussion Study Event
In partnership with our client the Chuck Noll Foundation, we hosted an event with the Pittsburgh Magee Women’s Research Institute to highlight their women’s concussion study. This study is the first ever prospective data on the effects of concussion on women’s health and the neurobiology underlying these effects in this at-risk population.
2-3 million females have a concussion each year in the U.S. and unfortunately, females have worse outcomes; more severe symptoms, increased cognitive impairment, and prolonged recovery. The findings of this study will inform better and more targeted assessments and interventions to improve clinical care and reduce the effects of concussion on women’s health.
We also had the pleasure of meeting an empowering young 14-year-old girl, Bella Stosic, who suffered a brain injury while playing basketball and shared her incredible story with us all. You can read all about it here.
August 22, 2023: Joey Porter Jr. Back to School Drive
The Valiant team had the incredible opportunity to help support the Joey Porter Jr. Back-to-School Event benefiting the community and students of Sheraden and the Jasmine Nyree Campus. It was such a rewarding event and was SUCH a success.
All the students left with backpacks, reading books, lunch boxes, and all the school supplies they needed to have a successful year. ????
August 24, 2023: Inaugural Draft 412 Preseason Kickoff Event & Watch Party
Another exciting event to get us into the Steelers season was the Inaugural Draft 412 Preseason Kickoff Event & Watch Party benefiting the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation.
This event was held at City Winery located in the Strip District Terminal and was the first preseason game for the Steelers. Fans had an incredible experience meeting Ryan and some of the Draft 412 analysts for an unforgettable evening of football!
August 30, 2023: Par-Tee 36 Event
The Bus Stops Here Foundation hosted its annual Par-Tee 36 event at Topgolf in Bridgeville,PA. ????️♀️We had so much support from family, friends, and local corporations. It was a joy to see everyone come together.
The Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation offers various educational, recreational, development, and financial assistance for our city’s youth. Through these programs they provide mentorship, coaching, resources, and more to the underprivileged youth of our communities.
To learn more about the foundation, click here!
September 18, 2023: 2nd Annual Chuck Noll Golf Outing
A very exciting event for us this year was running the 2nd annual Chuck Noll Foundation Golf Outing at the Club at Nevillewood. The Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research is dedicated to diminishing the impact of sports related head injuries and was started by none other than Chuck Noll with the assistance of Dr. Joseph Maroon, the Steelers’ neurosurgeon in 1990.
The outing was co-hosted by our good friends Merril Hoge and Jerome Bettis. We were able to raise an outstanding $200,000 + for the Chuck Noll Foundation. We were honored to be able to make this year even better than last and will continue to do so year after year.
October 8, 2023: Black & Yellow For Pink Lemonade Stand
This new event for the Valiant team was a truly unforgettable day at Acrisure Stadium raising money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. We teamed up with our client the Pink Lemonade Stand Challenge, the Steelers’ very own Cindy Citrone and the Citrone 33 team, our friend and BCRF board member, Jerome Bettis. With this incredible team and so many other local and national corporations’ support, we hosted the Black and Yellow for Pink Lemonade Stand.
Did we mention we broke a Guinness World Records for the most money raised at a lemonade stand in 24 hours??? We raised over $53,000 for the BCRF that day and passed out a TON of pink lemonade to tailgating fans and Steelers Nation before the game.
It was such a memorable day that we will remember forever.
October 9, 2023: Joey Porter Sr. & Joey Porter Jr. Celebrity Golf Outing
Golf outings were in high volume in 2023 and we continued the trend with the Joey Porter Sr. & Joey Porter Jr. Celebrity Golf Outing at Sewickley Heights benefiting their very own Jasmine Nyree Campus. It was truly one of the most fun golf outings we’ve been a part of and it raised so much awareness and funds for the campus. We’re so grateful to partner with incredible people like the Porter’s and we hope to continue making this a great event for them in the years to come.
Learn more here: https://jasminenyreecampus.com/
October 12, 2023: Jerome Bettis 16th Annual Caring For Kids Gala
Another incredible year for the 16th annual Caring for Kids Gala at Acrisure Stadium benefiting the Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation. This wonderful event was filled with sponsors, celebrities, and a night of fun in the PNC Champions Club.
This year we had two award recipients receiving the courage award and the lifetime achievement award. First, the courage award was given to Dr. Kurt Weiss for his resilience in conquering osteo-sarcoma and his unwavering commitment to advancing research and treatment in the field.
Second, the lifetime achievement award, was presented to the incredible Coach Lou Holtz in recognition of his remarkable coaching career and impact he’s made on Jerome’s career and life after football.
This beautiful evening was a year that will go down in history because of these honorable men. We thank everyone who came out and continues to donate to this incredible cause. We will continue to support the lives of inner-city youth in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Detroit with these contributions.
November 9, 2023: Milkshake & Cookies Event
Another new event to the Pittsburgh area was the Milkshake & Cookies event benefiting the Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank at the Children’s Museum. We had an incredible turnout from local cookie and milkshake vendors as well as local sponsors supporting the cause.
For the inaugural event it certainly was a hit and the cookies and milkshakes did NOT disappoint. We hope you’re able to join us next year and see what it was all about.
To learn more about this incredible organization, visit the Mid-Atlantic Mother’s Milk Bank website, here.
December 16, 2023: Jerome Bettis Holiday Toy Drive
‘Tis the season to give back! We were so happy to be able to continue the Jerome Bettis Toy Drive this holiday season to serve inner city children in Pittsburgh. We received so many toys from our Amazon wish list, local donations, and books donated from “Our Kids Read Inc.” We filled up two school buses to meet the children and give out their gifts. The children at Twin Rivers and Jasmine Nyree are going to have a memorable holiday thanks to all of YOU! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Employee Spotlight:
We welcomed our wonderful new teammate, Kiley to the team. She has been nothing short of bubbly and happy but boy is she TALENTED too. Her graphic design, writing, and digital skills are just scratching the surface with all she can do.
We’re so happy to have her.
Client Spotlight:
As much as we love our current clients you all know and love so well, we wanted to highlight some of the newer clients we are working with that you should see more of in 2024…
- The Medical Man Cave
- 32d CBD
- Health Is Wealth
- GFDD (Global Foundation for Democracy and Development)
- TBRx Sports
…to name a few!
P.S. There may be an exciting backyard concert making its return in the summer of 2024 with some exciting guests. STAY TUNED!
2023 was a busy but wonderful year filled with new accomplishments, new clients, and an infinite amount of memories that the Valiant 3 Communications team is so grateful for. Fortunately (for the most part) 2024 is NOT slowing down in the slightest. We have so much on the horizon that we can’t wait to share with you but in the meantime, let’s raise a glass…
To all our wonderful supporters, clients, family, and friends who allow us to continue to do what we love. Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday and HAPPY NEW YEAR! See you in 2024 😉