Batesville native and Pittsburgh Steeler, Deshea Townsend is hosting his 10th Annual Pay It Forward Football and Cheerleading Camp this weekend.  1,000 children have pre-registered for the Saturday, May 16 event at South Panola High School.  The camp will be held from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  

Townsend, a defensive back with the Super Bowl winning Steelers, will be in attendance along with participating teammates: Tyrone Carter; James Farrior; Hines Ward; Willie Parker; Ike Taylor;  William Gay; Santonio Holmes; Casey Hampton; Fernando Bryant and Charlie Batch.

In addition, other confirmed athletes include: Nate Washington from the Tennessee Titans; Bryant McFadden of the Arizona Cardinals; Anthony Smith of the Green Bay Packers; Derrick Burgess of the Oakland Raiders; Wayne Gandy and Peria Jerry of the Atlanta Falcons; Jamarca Sanford of the Minnesota Vikings; Michael Oher of the Baltimore Ravens and Dewayne Rudd, retired NFL.Townsend’s foundation is also hosting the Inaugural Pay It Forward Health Fair held on the same date, Saturday, May 16. The health fair is free and opens to the public at 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will be held in the Batesville Middle School Gymnasium.

Attendees will receive complimentary T-shirts when they complete free health screenings facilitated by the Aaron E. Health Center. Dead 09.05.10 D Employees from the health center will also distribute information and answer medical questions from attendees.

The football camp and health fair are sponsored by the Heinz Foundation, Aaron E. Henry Health Centers, Boys & Girls Club of NW Mississippi, PhRMA, Abbott, Smart Water, Varsity and Vitamin Water 10.