The Second Mile Explained

The Second Mile
Type:Youth organization charity
Founded Date:1977
Founder:Jerry Sandusky
Location:Pennsylvania
Homepage:thesecondmile.org
Dissolved:2016

The Second Mile was a nonprofit organization for underprivileged youth, providing help for at-risk children and support for their parents in Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1977 by Jerry Sandusky, a then-Penn State assistant college football coach.[1] [2] [3] The charity said its youth programs served as many as 100,000 children annually.[4] The organization ceased operations after Sandusky was found guilty of child sex abuse.

Early work and praise

The Second Mile grew, serving about 20,000 kids in 1989 to more than 300,000 in 2010.[5] U.S. President George H. W. Bush praised the group as a "shining example" of charity work in a 1990 letter,[6] one of that president's much-promoted "Thousand points of light" encouragements to volunteer community organizations.[7] Citing Sandusky's work with The Second Mile charity to provide care for foster children, then U.S. Senator Rick Santorum honored Sandusky with an Angels in Adoption award in 2002.[8] As of November 4, 2011, when charges were filed against Sandusky, Eagles former head coach Dick Vermeil and then-head coach Andy Reid, former Phillies owner R.R.M. Carpenter, III, Matt Millen from ESPN, actor Mark Wahlberg, golfer Arnold Palmer, and football players Jack Ham and Franco Harris, among others, were shown on the charity’s website as serving on its Honorary Board.[9] Questions were soon raised about how closely if at all the listed members were involved. Wahlberg stated that he had made some donations but was unaware of being listed as an honorary board member, and Cal Ripken Jr. was reported to have been only marginally involved with the charity and asked for his name to be removed; the entire list was removed from the organization's website a few days later.[10]

Revenue and major donors

The Second Mile had three offices in Pennsylvania, with headquarters in the municipality of State College, Pennsylvania. The charity's revenue, primarily from donations and fundraisers such as golf tournaments, was $3 million in 2009.[11] Major companies and foundations that have given to The Second Mile include Bank of America, BNY Mellon, the Hershey Company, Merck, State Farm, Sheetz, U.S. Steel Corp., PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, local Walmarts and newspapers.[12] The charity’s president for 28 years, Jack Raykovitz (who resigned when Sandusky was charged), had earned $133,000 in 2009, while his wife and longtime Second Mile executive vice-president, Katherine Genovese, received $100,000 for her duties that same year.[13]

Scandal and closure

The Second Mile's Founder, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested on charges of child sexual abuse in November 2011.[14] In June 2012, he was found guilty on 45 of the 48 counts against him.[15] [16] Sandusky met all of the victims through The Second Mile.[17] After the initial charges, Angels in Adoption rescinded its earlier 2002 award to Sandusky for his work with The Second Mile "in light of the serious allegations against him, and to preserve the integrity of the Angels in Adoption program."[18]

Jack Raykovitz, the longtime president and CEO of The Second Mile, announced his resignation on November 14.[19] Under new management, the charity told The New York Times on November 18, 2011 that it was preparing to fold, with plans to transfer some programs to other charities.[20] An attorney for one of Sandusky's victims filed suit to prevent the transfer of assets,[21] and the charity soon thereafter made an announcement asking potential donors to instead give to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape; programs were expected to continue at least through the end of the year.[22] On May 25, 2012, interim CEO David Woodle announced the organization had requested court approval to transfer its programs and remaining assets to Arrow Child & Family Ministries, after which The Second Mile would cease operations.[23] In 2016, a judge ruled in favor of allowing the charity to dissolve.[24]

Notes and References

  1. News: Corcino . Jeff . CASD students complete educational, fitness program . May 29, 2008 . The Progress . November 14, 2011 . Second Mile is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1977 by Jerry Sandusky, the former defensive coordinator for the Penn State football team..
  2. News: Rudel . Neil . Sandusky loyal to 'Second Mile' cause . January 7, 2001 . . B10 . November 14, 2011.
  3. News: Lentz . Charlie . Sandusky Second to None . March 27, 2007 . pennstate.scout.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716021727/http://pennstate.scout.com/2/630302.html . July 16, 2011. He founded The Second Mile in 1977 to provide a helping hand and human contact for at-risk children and education and support for their parents..
  4. News: President of The Second Mile resigns . November 14, 2011 . ESPN.com . November 14, 2011 . The Second Mile has alleged that its youth programs serve as many as 100,000 children a year..
  5. Web site: 2011-12-29. Second Mile youngsters are suffering from Jerry Sandusky scandal. 2020-07-31. pennlive. en.
  6. https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/coach-accused-charity-assault-boys-14939549 Sandusky Had Access to Vulnerable Kids Via Charity (Associated Press, Nov. 12, 2011)
  7. Ganim, Sara, "Jerry Sandusky, former Penn State football staffer, subject of grand jury investigation", Patriot-News, March 31, 2011 8:00/8:20 am. Via Shinal, John, "Joe Paterno botched the biggest play of his life", MarketWatch, Nov. 12, 2011, 2:54 pm EST; JShinal comment, comment p. 5 reply to Insightfool c. 2 pm 11/13. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  8. http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/big_tent/Santorum-honored-accused-PSU-Coach-as-angel.html Santorum honored accused PSU Coach as "angel" (Philadelphia Inquirer, November 9, 2011)
  9. Shorr-Parks, Eliot, "Andy Reid, Dick Vermeil on Honorary Board for Sandusky Organization", Yard Barker blog; "with FoxSports.com on MSN" upper right in page logo; 11/10/2011. List reproduced at site not dated. Retrieved 2011-11-14.
  10. Ferran, Lee, and Emily Stanitz, "Celebrities Unaware of Sandusky Charity Board Membership", ABC News The Blotter blog, Nov. 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
  11. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_770950.html Second Mile workers being laid off
  12. Web site: 2nd Mile Donor List The Second Mile Sandusky Scandal. 2020-08-20. notpsu.proboards.com.
  13. https://web.archive.org/web/20111115160003/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45286426/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/penn-state-assistant-coach-i-did-right-thing/ Penn State assistant coach: 'I did the right thing' (MSNBC, 11/14/11)
  14. News: Penn State ex-coach charged with abuse, AD with perjury . . . November 5, 2011 . November 5, 2011.
  15. Web site: Scolforo. Mark. Armas. Genaro. Ex-Penn St. assistant Sandusky convicted of abuse. June 22, 2012. Associated Press. June 22, 2012.
  16. News: Sandusky Convicted of Sexually Abusing Boys. Drape. Joe. June 22, 2012. The New York Times. June 23, 2012.
  17. News: Ex-Coach Denies Charges Amid New Accusations . The New York Times . November 14, 2011 . November 18, 2011 . Viera, Mark and Jo Becker.
  18. . A statement from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (11/10/2011) . November 15, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111109234657/http://www.angelsinadoption.org/ . live . November 9, 2011.
  19. Web site: President Of Charity Linked To Penn State Sex Abuse Scandal Resigns . Fox News . 2010-04-07 . 2011-11-16.
  20. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/19/sports/ncaafootball/charity-founded-by-sandusky-plans-to-fold.html Charity Founded by Sandusky Plans to Fold (New York Times, November 18, 2011)
  21. Web site: Milton. Pat. Alleged victim files suit against The Second Mile charity. CBSNews.com. CBS News. 29 November 2011. 23 November 2011.
  22. Web site: Associated Press. Sandusky's Second Mile charity: Donate elsewhere. CBSNews.com. CBS News. 29 November 2011. 28 November 2011.
  23. Lisee, Chris (June 19, 2012). Sandusky charity transfers $2 million to Christian groups. Washington Post
  24. News: Sandusky's Second Mile children's charity dissolves with judge's OK. March 11, 2016. The Patriot-News. The Associated Press. https://web.archive.org/web/20160607001614/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/apr/01/petco-park-changes-for-2016-season/. June 7, 2016. live.

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