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3/2/2010- Afa the Wild Samoan Supports Literacy

Minneola, FL

Wrestling legend Afa "The Wild Samoan" Anoa`i, along with his daughter Tovale and wife Lynn, visited Grassy Lake Elementary School as part of the "NEA's Read Across America" program. Pictured below- Ms. Walter's and Ms. Sena's 5th grade classes enjoy Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham, which was read by Vale with fun interaction from Afa.

The Wild Samoan is the founder of Usos Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 organization that offers positive, alternative choices to the negativity that is in our children's reach. The at-risk youth programs challenge our youth and helps build their self-esteem, mind-body-spirit connection, and sense of worth.

Afa says that :"Education is the best tool that we can give to our youngsters, and I'm happy to volunteer my time to give back to the community any way I can."

Afa's daughter Vale is an actress, and author of four books, who began reading at the young age of two. She has been passionate about books ever since, and loves to share her love for reading with others, especially children.

Each student received an autographed picture of the Wild Samoan, and had the opportunity to hold his WWE Hall of Fame ring as he generously passed it around the room.

"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child."

Your support is greatly appreciated and needed. Please make a tax deductible donation by clicking on the How You Can Help link.

1/13/2010- Usos Foundation Visits Green Isle Children's Ranch

January 13, 2009 - Groveland, Florida

Central Florida wrestling living legend, WWE Hall Of Famer Afa "The Wild Samoan" Anoa'i, his wife Lynn, and daughter Tovale visited the Green Isle Children's Ranch to speak to the kids. Green Isle is a ministry outreach to what many would term "at risk" boys. Usos Foundation and Green Isle believe that at-risk teens require special attention.

Robin Tempesta, Development and Public Relations Administrator, invited The Hall Of Famer to speak and motivate the kids. All of the Green Isle children were ecstatic and very excited to have Afa there, and asked many questions after he spoke. Afa began with talking about his early years, when he first moved to the United States from Samoa, and how despite many challenges and some hardships along the way, he emerged and focused his energy into something positive, becoming a professional wrestler, and eventually a Hall of Famer. He told the children that they, too, have what it takes to make it far in life, with some hard work, focus, and dedication.

Also in attendance was Father Charles Brown, who believes strongly in what Usos Foundation and Green Isle are doing to help the youths.

Quote from Afa-

"What Green Isle is doing is so similar to what we're doing. When I walked through that door, I saw a couple of these kids that we had met at a Kiwanis breakfast few weeks ago, as I was standing there, my heart was touched when I saw all the people there surrounding Robin and Father Brown, all volunteering to help these kids any way they can. My whole thing is helping kids, so this is really close to my heart."

At the conclusion of Afa's speech he invited the boys to visit his Wild Samoan wrestling school in Minneola, FL and to attend a WXW wrestling event.

Pictured below are Afa the Wild Samoan, Lynn Anoa'i, Tovale Anoa'i of Usos Foundation, and the boys of Green Isle, Robin Tempesta, and Father Charlie Brown.

To learn more about Green Isle, visit their Web site at www.greenislechildrensranch.org

Get Ready To Rummmmmble!

Charity Wines is leaping into the ring with some of the most entertaining professional wrestling legends in the world - all to benefit children...

Wrestling legends including the Wild Samoans, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith, The Iron Sheik, Scott Hall, Rocky "Soulman" Johnson and "High Chief" Peter Maivia are just a few of the wrestling superstars flying off the ropes and into the vineyard with their own Charity Wine benefiting Usos - The Samoan Family Foundation.

Usos - The Samoan Family Foundation, Inc. was created by “Wild Samoan” Afa Anoai and his wife Lynn to offer a safe and secure environment for young men and women, to channel their energies and keep them off the streets and away from drugs, gangs and negativity. To learn more about the foundation, please visit www.usosfoundation.org

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The Wrestling Chatterbox- June 2009

Hello all,

Thank you Georgiann for keeping your Chatterbox going and for the great following of good, respectful people who follow and read my column. The letters and emails that come to me from fellow Chatterboxers is always touching and heartfelt. I often get questions about how I went from Wild Samoan to "Pops" and about the wrestling business, my family in wrestling and my advice and comments for this young generation who are entering into the world of our great sport. I welcome all your letters because I have always enjoyed being in contact with wrestling fans.

I do want to talk about one letter that I just received from a fellow Chatterboxer. The letter is from Mr. Jim McKnight who reads my column each month. He was touched by my March/April column and took the time to write me a very emotional letter. He talked about Usos Foundation and the work that we do and how he wishes there was a program available in his youth that he believes would have given him other options and choices in his life.

He also sent me a copy of a letter that he wrote to Vince McMahon expressing his feelings as an old school fan and his thoughts on how the legends should be treated. Finally, he enclosed a check to Usos in the amount of $3.00. Jim read in my column that if all wrestling fans would send a one dollar donation to Usos, the work that could be done would be amazing.

So you may be thinking why I am so touched by what Jim McKnight did and why his donation is so well received by Usos, well its because Jim is currently an inmate at a prison in Pennsylvania. His money is very limited and he shared with Usos the little he had from his heart. When my wife was reading me Jim's letter I was thinking of a story from the bible when Jesus asked who gave more; the rich man who gave thousands to the collection plate or the poor woman who gave less than a dollar. The men responded that the rich man obviously gave more, but Jesus said that it was the poor woman, for that tiny bit of money was all she had.

So with all my heart Jim, I thank you for your kindness and support to Usos Foundation. You are a true wrestling fan and may God protect and bless you.

I have been getting several questions from fans asking about the upcoming Usos fundraising banquet on Thursday, August 6th. I will attach the information in this column so that I can share it with all of you. I did want to add that the banquet program will include a meet and greet with me and a gift picture. Complete dinner, cash bar, scholarship presentation, dessert, silent auction and a Samoan floor show featuring the top knife/fire dancers in the world. Celebrity guest include my nephew Rikishi, my former student Snisky, Haku, Ricky Santana, Rocky Johnson, myself and brother Sika. Other names are being added as schedules allow and will be posted in my next months column. Please note that the event is for charity and seating is limited with the RSVP and ticket purchase by mid June. Those who need additional information can contact usosfoundation@aol.com

On a final note, some of my Usos kids will be part of the camp that is being held at the Wild Samoan Training Center in Florida from June 23 through the 26th when WWE Vice President of talent relations John Laurinaitis will be attending to evaluate talents for possible developmental futures. For those of you who have the dream to make it to the next level in your career, contact wstcschool@aol.com for information on how you could be part of this camp.

Thank you and God Bless.

Afa The Wild Samoan "Pops"

God is Good all the time

Dear Friend,

The word "Usos", in the Samoan language, loosely translated, means "We are Brothers" or more loosely translated, "We are all Family".

The Usos Foundation was created to offer a fun and supervised way for our youth to receive education through sports. Professional wrestling is loved by so many people and, through the celebrity of my husband, Afa "The Wild Samoan", and his place, together with his brother Sika, in the history of the sport, we have been privileged to be the guiding light for good in so many lives.

The Foundation is very important to us, not just because we value the lives of our youth but because we have been so blessed in our own lives, and this is our way to give back. Usos not only offers wrestling instruction, which is the lure that first attracts the youth, both young boys and girls, but we also focus on education, self-esteem, and the whole healthy mind-body-spirit connection.

Through the direction, mentoring and consistent encouragement provided by Usos, we have had students go on to become high school principals, corporate professionals, communication experts, politicians, and other successful careers that might not have been possible for most of these kids due to a lack of focus and direction during their early, more formative years.

Now, as our economy slows, and budgets tighten, it is even more important for Usos to be able to continue offering positive programs to keep our youth motivated and headed in the right direction. For those of you who have been with us from the beginning, we cannot thank you enough for all the support that you have given Usos throughout the years. For those of you who may not be familiar with our Foundation, we invite you to join us, and find out firsthand, about the worthwhile nature of our charitable cause.

At this time, Usos is proud to mark this, its 10th anniversary year, with its first annual fundraising banquet to be held in Celebration, Florida, on Thursday, August 6, 2009. While you’re here, the Orlando area is home to Disney World, Seaworld, Universal and MGM Studios as well as many vacation and casino hotels, and Celebration is right in the heart of the all these attractions. Usos’ Tenth Anniversary Celebration Banquet and a trip to Disney World, too! What a great reason and wonderful time for you to come celebrate with us!

Attached to this email is our announcement, which is also your invitation. Please join us for this important event. Your personal appearance and that of all our family and friends is really important to making this event the success it needs and deserves to be. If you are unable to join us in person, please mail your fully tax-deductible donation payable to Usos Foundation at P.O. Box 2291 Minneola, Florida 34755 or, if you prefer, you can visit our Web site at www.usosfoundation.org to donate by credit card, or pay for your tickets or table, using the Internet-secure PayPal payment system. All those who donate $100 or more will be acknowledged in print, in the Celebration Souvenir Program to be distributed at the Event. All those donating $500 or more will also be publicly honored with a suitably framed goldleaf and parchment paper "Certificate of Recognition" for their "Important Contribution to Ensure the Growth, Care and Development of Our Most Valuable Asset: Our Young" signed and sealed on behalf of "Usos, The Samoan Family Foundation" by Afa Anoa'i as Founder and Chairman, and by Lynn Anoa'i, as President and Chief Executive.

Please R.S.V.P. as soon as possible, to confirm your attendance, and reserve your tickets or purchase a table. Your reservation, along with local travel directions, will be confirmed by return email. Seating is limited, and we would love to have you be part of this very special and very exciting night!

Many thanks,

Lynn Anoa'i,

Foundation President

Usos-The Samoan Family Foundation

Presents Our

First Annual Fundraising Banquet

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2009

Time: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Location: Celebration Golf Club in Celebration, FL

Usos-The Samoan Family Foundation will be hosting our First Annual Banquet fundraiser to benefit our scholarship programs. Tickets are $100, of which $50 is tax-deductible, and include dinner, dessert and scholarship presentation along with a silent auction, entertainment and celebrity guests. This is a blessed evening for two special reasons. Not only is it the birthday of our beloved Auntie Lia Maivia to whom Afa “The Wild Samoan” Anoa`i credits along with her husband High Chief Peter Maivia to be the pioneers who gave Afa his start in passing the torch to him in his pro wrestling career, but Usos will establish a scholarship in the memory of Lia Maivia, and Usos will also be receiving a scholarship from Fritz and Pamela Fedele, the parents of Adam Carreras in his memory, who they lost last year in a tragic car accident.

Tickets are limited, and for all seating and ticket inquiries, please email usosfoundation@aol.com.

Phone: (352) 988-5499

E-Mail: usosfoundation@aol.com

www.usosfoundation.org

P.O. Box 2291
Minneola, FL 34755

*Usos means “brothers” in Samoan.

From RasslinRiotOnline.com

Friday, April 17, 2009

Afa The Samoan Works Towards Giving Kids A Wrestling Education!!

----E-mails that I get in my Inbox still shock me. A few weeks back I was surprised to see Afa of the famous Samoans tag team send along a note. Afa wanted me to pass along a few things to my readers. First, is the Usos Foundation. This is a charitable organization that has the main goal of getting kids off the street and getting them into something that will help build their self esteem. He believes that kids that join his wrestling school will have that initiative to stay out of the street and do something good. I think it is a good idea. He will do work as a charity to then provide full paid scholarships to his school. Afa has found a way to not only give back, but a way to make sure the money is going back to putting kids into wrestling.

----Afa also working thru the Usos Foundation has became part of Charity Wines. It pretty much serves the same purpose of making money to provide for kids a wrestling education. The fun thing about these wines are that they are named after famous wrestlers including the Samoans, Haku, Davey Boy Smith, The Iron Sheik, Rocky Johnson, Scott Hall, Samu and more.

----CLICK HERE to read about the Usos Foundation.

----CLICK HERE to read and see how you can get some of the Charity Wines!!

The Wrestling Chatterbox- February 2009

For those of you who are in the journalism field, you know that your articles have to be completed and turned in by the due date to reach your deadline. Our Chatterbox is no different, so as I'm writing this, it is actually the day after the Academy Awards. I was priveleged to be invited, along with my wife and daughter, to the Sarasota Film Society's annual Oscars party at the Burns Court Theater in Sarasota. Having a 501 (c) 3 foundation, I support other foundations and their hard work and efforts. The Sarasota Film Society hosted the event, and we had a great time. We quietly sat in the corner enjoying a catered buffet and cocktails, when the media spotted me sitting there and came over for an interview. It turned into a small circus, and they took pictures, asked questions, and filmed for the local news. Of course, they asked my prediction, and it was all about Mickey Rourke.

I normally don't watch the Oscars, although my family does, but this year of course was special and personal to me. When I took on the job of training Mickey, I never thought that it would go all the way to the Oscars, and the fact that I was part of that and in a way helped Mickey to become resurrected in the acting community, is something that I am extremely proud of.

We waited with high hopes and anticipation for the Best Actor category, which felt like forever. But when it finally was time, my wife, daughter, and I held hands and said a prayer. Although the prayer of the Oscar award wasn't answered, the fact that Mickey was in the running was a blessing that he deserves so much. My daughter Vale said it best: "It doesn't matter that Mickey didn't win the award, he won something much more important. He won back his rightful spot in the acting world." Of course, we are very proud of him for the many awards that he DID win, for his performance in The Wrestler, that he gave wholeheartedly.

Although the buzz and excitement might be behind us with the movie, the thing I gained the most from it is a bond with Mickey that will last a very long time.

This last month has been extremely busy for me with the move to Florida finally being behind us, and Florida starting to feel like our home. I've been working tirelessly to get the word out about my non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization: Usos- The Samoan Family Foundation. I'm honored that Mickey has lent his name to our Board of Trustees. Other supporters include Gene Snisky and Batista, so my three most famous students are all part of Usos.

Usos was started in 1999 as a way for me to give back to the many kids who have a dream. It was intended for at-risk youth, giving them a place to channel their energies, using wrestling to build their self-esteem, while learning education and sports. We pride ourselves on teaching mind, body, and spirit to get them away from gangs, alcohol, drugs, and poor grades in school.

Usos has several success stories and has saved the lives of some really good kids who were going down the path of destruction. I am working closely with the mayor of the City of Minneola, FL to design programs to bring into the local high schools, which are in great need of after-school positive activities. More information on our foundation can be found on www.usosfoundation.org

For those that are in the Central Florida area, check out WXW Wrestling on March 6th at the Minneola Recreation Center, and March 21st at the Leesburg Armory, home of the Wild Samoan Pro-Wrestling Training Center. www.wxwwrestling.com and www.wildsamoan.com

In closing, I hope that everyone is healthy and getting through the winter that I hear has really been hitting the North.

Until next month, God Bless and Happy St. Patrick's Day

Afa the Wild Samoan

http://www.readers.org/id37.html

InCollaboration, Inc. the Readers Theatre Workshop
RTW Goes to the Oscars!

The log line was "Witness the Resurrection of Mickey Rourke" The night was February 22nd, 2009. The place: the Burns Court Cinemas 2009 Oscar Party, in Sarasota, Florida, organized and hosted by the Sarasota Film Society, a non-profit film presentation organization.

The Event: The 81st Annual Academy Awards! Our special guests: Former World Tag Team Wrestling Champion and Hall of Famer, Afa Anoai, who, with his brother and then partner, Sika, were known as the world-famous "Wild Samoans" WWF (now the WWE) Headliners during the late '70s and early '80s. Afa and his family, including his lovely wife, Lynn, who serves as president of "Usos-The Samoan Family Foundation", a non-profit organization that benefits troubled street kids, were there with their beautiful daughter, actress Vale, who has a featured role in the film opposite the Oscar-nominated Best Actor and Golden Globe winner, Mickey Rourke, in the multiple award-winning film, "The Wrestler".

The Connection: Afa served as a technical adviser on the film and, more importantly, as personal training supervisor for star Mickey Rourke. Afa and Mickey became fast and close friends over the many weeks they worked so closely together to ensure that Mickey's performance as a professional wrestler was both safe and realistic. Anyone who has seen the film will agree that both were successful in achieving their mutual goals.

Pictured Below, Clockwise From Left:
Afa, daughter Vale and wife Lynn Pose for Pics on the Red Carpet; The Movie Poster for "The Wrestler" Afa, Vale and Lynn Enjoy the Party; Afa With Friends, Fritz & Pam; Oscar Party Poster; Vale Sees Her Future with Oscar; Mickey Listens as Best Actor Nominees Are Announced; Afa Looks On at Ringside During Film Rehearsals

As for the Oscars, Sean Penn won that night for his outstanding role as Harvey Milk in the biopic "Milk", with a special acknowledgement to Mickey for his performance and a warm welcome back" As for the Oscar Party, a great time was had by all, as the above pics will attest.

For More Oscar Party Pics Click Here!

Our special and heartfelt thanks to the directors, staff and volunteers of the Sarasota Film Society for the wonderful job they did, and do, every year, in organizing this very special, and well-received event. Kudos to all involved. Special thanks to SFS Executive Director Barbara Caras, Development Director Tim Calandra, and Membership Coordinator Bea Fulford for their hospitality and kind attention to us and to our special guests during our all too brief evening together. Thank you one and all!

A special shout-out to our own friends and patrons: When in Southwest Florida particularly in the Sarasota-Bradenton-Lakewood Ranch-Tampa-St. Pete areas, please support this organization by becoming a member and/or patronizing their cinema venues at Burns Court in Downtown Sarasota and/or Lakewood Ranch, whenever possible. And for more information, please check out their Website at http://www.filmsociety.org/index.cfm

Bob McInnes and Andy Salgado

The Wrestling Chatterbox- April 2009

Hello everyone,

To everyone in the wrestling world, our favorite holiday is now upon us: Wrestlemania. I can't believe it's 25 years already. My family and I will be there, and I will be part of the Fan Axxess tour, and will enjoy meeting and talking with our many fans, as this is always my favorite part of being in this great sport. It will also be great to be with Mickey Rourke again, who you could say is my most famous wrestling student. Training Mickey was not only rewarding for my school and my students, but it was also a blessing for my foundation, Usos- The Samoan Family Foundation, Inc. (www.usosfoundation.org). Mickey has lent his name to the foundation as a supporter, and this is a great honor for all of us.

Usos Foundation was started back in 1999 as a way for me to channel the energy of the youth in my community and give them a safe haven, off the streets and away from the drugs, gangs, and negativity of life. I used myself and the sport of wrestling as the draw to lure these kids in and show them that with a little tough love, dedication, and respect, they can really have a chance in life and be a productive member of society.

It's a hard road when not too many people believe in the work that you do, but I will always continue to give back to the great sport of wrestling that has given me and my family so much. Through Usos, I give self-esteem, self-confidence, self-control, and education that most of these kids would have never received because high school was failing for them and college is not an option. Many lives have been saved and turned around for the better through the efforts of Usos. I thank everyone who has supported it over the last 10 years.

I have a great support system here in Florida, and our Usos calendar is filling up with fundraisers and I have already awarded eight scholarships since I've been here. We have a fundraising yard sale that will take place at the Clermont Dodge Dealership. For those of you who are in the central Florida area, this will take place on May 2nd which is my daughter Vale's 24th birthday. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Adam Carreras Scholarship Fund. Let me explain a bit about this fund.

Adam Carreras was the son of a great family here in Florida, and they lost him last year at age 21 at the hands of a drunk driver. His parents told me that if I would have moved here a year earlier, that they know he would have been a part of the Wild Samoan Training Center and WXW family, and possibly would have spent his weekends with us and still would have been among us today. They are generously putting up a scholarship so that other young athletes can have a chance at their dream, and this scholarship will be presented at a fundraising banquet that will take place in August in the memory of Adam and my dear auntie Lia Maivia, who was a pioneer in our family and in our business. This great fundraising event will take place on her birthday, August 6th.

Usos means "Brothers" in Samoan, and Samoans are giving and loving people. It is near and dear to my heart that I can give this scholarship to keep the memory of Adam and my auntie alive. I want to thank everyone who has supported the Usos Foundation, whether it was through donations or volunteering. I look forward to another 10 years of touching the lives of our youth and doing my part to make this world a better place. For those of you who are touched by the work that Usos does and believes in the work that I am doing, your dollar donations can make a world of difference in the lives of these young kids. For those of you who have a computer you can donate from our web site www.usosfoundation.org

Donations are also accepted at: Usos Foundation

P.O. Box 2291

Minneola, Florida

34755

Just think, if everyone puts in only $1.00 we could raise millions!

I want to wish those who celebrate the Easter holiday a blessed holiday weekend. I hope those of you in the North lands get some nice weather soon.

Until next month, God Bless,

Afa the Wild Samoan