By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

PHOTO ALBUM

Cornerback Deshea Townsend and his wife Carla hosted the Black and Gold Garage Sale to benefit SIDS of Pennsylvania and Cribs For Kids at the Hard Rock Café in Pittsburgh’s Station Square.
 

“It’s an opportunity to give kids a chance to reach their full potential in life,” said Townsend, who hosted the event through his Gotcha Covered Foundation. “Something as simple as a crib can save a kid’s life. It’s the least we can do.”

Townsend was joined at the event by about 20 of his teammates, who took part in an autograph session before an auction of unique items, some of them donated by the Steelers players.

Clark Haggans served as the auctioneer for the live auction, which included dinner with wide receiver Hines Ward, a classic pin ball machine signed by Ben Roethlisberger and a classic yellow cab that kids can ride in signed by the team.

Other items that fans could bid on included a lunch box signed by Casey Hampton along with snacks, a tool box signed by Aaron Smith, along with a Steelers hammer and measuring tape, a tackle box signed by Brett Keisel and a Steelers fishing pole, a 2007 draft cap signed by the Steelers top draft picks, and a copy of Twas The Night Before Christmas inscribed with a special message and signed by defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.
           

“I wanted it to be something different, not the typical autographed jerseys which most people donate,” said Townsend. “We wanted something that would give you insight into a guy, something when someone comes to your house they could look at it and really showed the personality of the guys.

“It’s something to have some fun and get people to get out and enjoy themselves for a great cause.”

Cribs for Kids goal is to provide cribs to all families who otherwise would not be able to afford them in an effort to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).