For Pittsburgh Steeler offensive tackle Max Starks, helping others began early.  As a youngster in Orlando, Florida, he was a member of the Boys and Girls Club.  And not long after, he went back to the club to help the younger children. In ninth grade, he worked as a high school tutor to elementary school children.  As a high school senior, he was one of eight to attend a national service learning conference.  He returned and started a program to go into underprivileged elementary schools to tutor students for standardized testing. 

And then at the University of Florida, he worked with the Gator Literacy program, going into area schools promoting reading and learning.

So in October, when he started a fund with the Pittsburgh Foundation, it was a natural continuation.  “People have given so much to me,” he said while recuperating from knee surgery. “It was just the right thing to do.  My mom and dad have always instilled that in me: Service to others.”

After joining the Steelers on draft day in 2004, Starks started talking with family friend and former Steeler great Dwight White, who mentioned the Pittsburgh Foundation. “I had expressed my desire to give back in western Pennsylvania, and Mr. White introduced me to Mr. (William) Trueheart.  “We talked and came to the conclusion that it’s something I really wanted to do and that I needed to do.”

The Max Starks Fund focuses on children’s literacy and education, and during this off-season, Starks, 24, will set up the basic structure of the fund. “I’ve had a lot of different people approach me, and I’m pretty knowledgeable about the groups and the mentoring programs in the area.  It’s important for people in my position to speak up about these things.  I want to give children the opportunities and the tools they might not otherwise have.  I want them to have the same tools I had as a child.”

The Pittsburgh Foundation is working with and advising Starks.  “They’re awesome individuals, and they’ve helped me out a whole lot,” he said. “This is something I’m really looking forward to doing, hopefully helping out the Allegheny County and Pittsburgh area.”

Click here to donate to The Max Starks Charitable Fund.