Events & News
Thompson Attends Aspen Institute’s National Education Summit
Aspen Institute hosted a conference in September 2008 in Washington, DC, entitled “An Urgent Call” to address the looming crisis of education and its effects on our country. The group of impressive speakers included, US Secretary of State, the Honorable Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of Education, the Honorable Margaret Spellings, President, American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, DC School Chancellor, Michelle Rhee, former Superintendent of Prince George’s County Schools, John Deasy and many more experts on education.
Monica Thompson serves as Sibley Hospital Ambassador at WNBA Mystics Game
On July 13, 2008, Monica Thompson was the keynote speaker and Sibley Ambassador for The Breast Health Awareness Game hosted by WNBA Washington Mystics president and managing partner, Sheila Johnson. This Mystics home game promoted awareness for breast health and raised over $30,000 for breast health screenings for the uninsured and underserved women in the Washington metropolitan area. The Verizon Center was awash in pink, including pink t-shirts worn by the team during their warm up, in honor of all breast cancer survivors in attendance. Mrs. Thompson is co-chair of the Host Committee for Sibley's Hope & Progress Gala to be held on November 1, 2008. Ms. Johnson is the Gala Chair.
Monica Thompson Gives Keynote at Coaches vs. Cancer Breakfast
In April 2008, at the NCAA Basketball Final Four event in San Antonio, TX, Mrs. Thompson spoke at the 2nd Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Wives Breakfast. Coaches vs. Cancer is a joint effort by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and communities to help win the fight against cancer.
Holiday Partnership with Washington Jesuit Academy
Through our partnership with the Washington Jesuit Academy (WJA) and the support of the Georgetown University Student Credit Union, the John Thompson III Foundation adopted two families of five for the 2007 holiday season. The foundation provided needed items, a full turkey dinner, as well as gifts for the parents and children from a wish list created by these families. Our goal is to continue to make a difference and bring joy to the lives of these families. We hope to adopt families each holiday season.
Holiday Toy Drive with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington
In conjunction with the Georgetown University Athletic Department, the Foundation collected new, unwrapped toys for distribution to the Butler-Wyatt Clubhouse #2. Clubhouse #2 is the oldest of the Metropolitan Police Clubs and former home to Sugar Ray Leonard and Georgetown’s own John Thompson, Jr.
Congratulations to the Beacon House Falcons!
The Falcons, a 90-pound Peewee Division team, clinched the 2007 Pop Warner Super Bowl title in Orlando on Saturday, December 8th. The team went undefeated this season with a 15-0 record.
Most of the 31 team members hail from Northeast Washington’s Edgewood Terrace housing project. The team is named for Beacon House, an outreach center in this community of subsidized housing which offers the children a respite with educational and cultural programs, in addition to football.
Coach Thompson and wife Monica speak at Sibley Hospital
The Thompsons along with former Redskins great Dexter Manley and his wife Lydia, a breast cancer survivor, spoke at the Breast Health Knowledge is Power conference hosted by Sibley Hospital in October 2007. This annual half-day event for breast cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers, consists of various medical panels. The panelists included breast surgeon, Collette Magnant, MD, oncologist Frederick Smith, MD, radiation oncologist, Maria Gage, MD and others.
JT IIII Foundation, Washington’s Newest Première Nonprofit Defines the Art of Giving: with an Evening of Elegance
WASHINGTON-- The John Thompson III Foundation celebrated its inaugural fundraising weekend, which included participation in a Congressional Black Caucus celebrity panel, a community day in Southeast and a star-studded gala on the evening of Saturday, September 29, 2007. 
Coach John Thompson III, along with Alonzo Mourning, Darrell Green and others, shared their visions of philanthropy at a brain trust hosted by Congresswoman Diane Watson at the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference. Coach Thompson spoke about the foundation he and his wife established to assist the work of non-profits that focus on the health and education needs of children.
On Saturday afternoon, the JT III Foundation hosted a community day at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center and Oxon Run Park at Mississippi Avenue, SE. Activities included information on health screenings, secondary education, voting rights and job skills; a basketball clinic, crafts, food and fun. The afternoon culminated in a concert by the legendary Chuck Brown.
That evening’s gala featured spectacular honorees, and an evening of elegance with songstress Nancy Wilson. Foundation supporters included Honorary Chair, Ted Leonsis, Alonzo Morning, Shelia Johnson, Abe Pollin, Nike, Inc. and Master of Ceremonies Leon Harris of WJLA News.
The highlight of the gala was the special induction of the 2007 Julius Wyatt Award Honoree recipient. This year’s Wyatt Award recipient was John Thompson Jr., former coach of the Georgetown Hoyas and Sports Talk 980 Commentator. Additional honorees include the Foundation’s 2007 Partners the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, the Capital Breast Care Center, Southeast Tennis and Learning Center and the Washington Jesuit Academy.
Gift of Life Breakfast
On Thursday, October 4, 2007 Coach John Thompson III and his wife Monica spoke at the Capital Breast Care Center’s Gift of Life Breakfast at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. The focus of the breakfast, which was attended by over 500 guests, including DC Council members and DC’s first lady Michelle Fenty, was to raise awareness and funding for the Capital Breast Care Center. Monica spoke about the poignancy of early detection of breast cancer and the importance of breast screenings.
The Capital Breast Care Center is a 2007 partner of the John Thompson III Foundation.