Jordan Steffy runs a foundation to help children overcome adversity.

Some of those children got a firsthand look at crises management Saturday, as Steffy made adjustments on the fly after keynote speaker Michael Vick was a no-show for a golf outing and dinner he organized at Meadia Heights Golf Club in southern Lancaster County.

Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, missed his flight because of bad weather Friday night. He was supposed to participate in the golf scramble Saturday and speak at the evening meal to 180 people, including 35 kids, attending the Children Deserve A Second Chance Foundation fundraising event.

Vick, who served 20 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to bankrolling a dogfighting operation, knows all about second chances.

In the two years since his release from prison, he has resurrected his football career and has become an advocate for animal rights and a role model for children. He talks to youth about forming a good foundation in life.

The event did have some notable guests, including Miss Pennsylvania USA Amber-Joi Watkins; Ryan Purvis, a Lancaster Catholic graduate and tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Moise Fokou, a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles; Phil Costa, an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys; and Darrius Heyward-Bey, a receiver for the Oakland Raiders. The latter three were teammates of Steffy's at the University of Maryland.

"I guess I have to take all of Vick's attention," Moise Fokou said jokingly while lounging on a sofa. Though he didn't participate in the scramble, he greeted golfers on the course and took some "guest swings."

He said he took up golf about a year ago, but fishing is his summer hobby. He recently caught a 23-pound shark.

Last season he caught the eyes of Eagles coaches, gaining 11 starts in his sophomore season with the Birds. He also had a team-high 19 tackles on special teams last season. A former seventh-round pick and a walk-on at Maryland, Fokou has played all three linebacker positions for Philly, as well as defensive end and special teams. He's embraced his versatility.

"I like my role," he said. "The more you can do, the better. I don't look at it as a bad thing. Some people might look down on it and say they don't have a place for me. But I look at it like they are trying to find a place for me on that field, on that team."

He said the NFL labor dispute and resulting lockout hurts the communication between coaches and players.

"Funny thing is, we haven't heard anything from the coaches since the season ended," Fokou said.

Purvis said the labor dispute hasn't changed his preparation, and he is confident there will not be any games or practices missed this season.

"You are going to be a little rusty when you first come back," the former Boston College standout said. Purvis trained with teammates during the last week of June in Bradington, Fla.

"Timing will be a little off," he said, "but we are professionals, and we will make the adjustments. It takes time to get the timing back, but I don't think it takes that long. Conditioning is the key, especially in Florida heat."

Fishing and golfing are Purvis' offseason hobbies. He did a lot of saltwater fishing this offseason, thanks to being in Tampa. He said he caught his first marlin.

Heyward-Bey, the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, said "it has been a crazy ride the last few months, and hopefully it is soon over," referring to the lockout.

Heyward-Bey, 24, is two years younger than his former Maryland teammate, Steffy, a Conestoga Valley graduate, who was his host when he was recruited at Maryland. "We have always remained close," Heyward-Bey said. "He is someone I can always call, very wise to be so young. He is doing a lot of great things."

Like starting a foundation that generated more than $115,000 Saturday, and in five years has raised between $250,000 and $300,000, Steffy said.

Heyward-Bey likes what the foundation stands for, and he quickly accepted Steffy's invitation to attend the event.

"You find yourself in a dark spot sometimes, and you just need someone to push you through," Heyward-Bey said.

Contact Sunday News sports writer Eric G. Stark at estark@lnpnews.com.