Sixty years ago, a little girl in a wheelchair was unable to attend the movie Mary Poppins in a local theater with her friends. She inspired the founding of United Cerebral Palsy of Lancaster County, whose name was changed to United Disabilities Services (UDS) in 2000, to reflect its expanded scope of those who benefit from its programs and services. Earlier this year, it was time to celebrate with a fantastic night of Lancaster community giving … and inspiration from a Super Bowl champion.

Saquon Barkley adds his signature to the Eagles’ helmet, a live auction item favorite!

Philadelphia Eagles fans are eagerly awaiting the NFL’s 106th season, with visions of more other-worldly leaps by running back Saquon Barkley. (Remember his winning hurdle over a Jacksonville Jaguars defender – backwards, by the way?) In addition to Barkley’s impressive athleticism – 2,005 rushing yards in the regular season, 13 rushing touchdowns, 33 receptions, 278 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns, All-Pro First-Team honors, AP Offensive Player of the Year Award, and a Super Bowl ring – it turns out that the 29-year-old football phenom also has a big, generous, wonderful heart.

Barkley shared his softer side with 750 patrons who attended the United Disabilities Services Foundation’s gala. Held at the Lancaster County Convention Center in May, the event celebrated the nonprofit’s 60 years of assisting older adults, veterans and individuals living with disabilities and those recovering from an injury to live their best lives.

The special guest couldn’t resist taking a selfie with the crowd.

The UDS’s dedicated staff and volunteers assist people who have disabilities, plus their loved ones and caregivers, to work through the challenging healthcare systems and explore the programs and services available to people of all abilities to lead independent, fulfilling lives. While founded and based in Lancaster since 1970, UDS reaches far beyond Lancaster County – its 400 employees and 200+ volunteers serve older adults and individuals with disabilities in 54 Pennsylvania counties.

Little wonder, then, that the extraordinary works of UDS caught the attention of 2025 Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley and brought him to Lancaster as the event’s special guest, along with some very special “swag.” In a spirited live auction, Barkley’s signed football, helmet and jersey earned some of the highest bids of the evening, garnering $6,000, $25,000 and $14,000 for each of the items.

Sportscaster and Philadelphia Eagles “insider” Dave Spadaro raises the roof for Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles.

He also left a lasting impression on guests during an intimate, fireside-style chat from the stage, facilitated by Eagles’ insider, Dave Spadaro. The sportscaster and sideline reporter bantered with Barkley, drawing out his reflections on fitting into the Eagles team. “For me, it came naturally, because a lot of guys like to compete and a lot of guys like to play golf,” he explained. “I’m not great at golf, but I’m good at competing. And I just came from the mindset of ‘We have all these leaders and all these great players – Lane [Johnson] and AJ [Brown] – working out. What can I bring to the team?’”

“The best thing that I do is compete,” Barkley told the audience. “So, when you compete and show people that I might have the accolades or have this name, but I’m willing to put the work in, you kind of just gain that respect naturally.”

While many in the audience vividly recalled his reverse leap to win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Barkley revealed he does not have memory of it. “I was hurting, actually,” Barkley said. “When I landed, one big defensive tackle took a good shot at me and my back kind of locked up. So, I didn’t in the moment get to realize what happened.”

What he does realize is that his gifts are meant to be used to help others. “God has blessed me with unbelievable talent,” Barkley said. “Football’s cool, but when it’s all said and done, and God willing I’ll be 32, 33 years old, I still have the rest of my life. I want to be known as someone who made an impact and saved lives.”

Even the tables were decked out in Eagles green.

Saquon Barkley and representatives of Hines Insurance Services, one of the gala’s sponsors, include (left to right) Lori Hines, Christian Fabick, Hunter Fabick and Doug Fabick.

Gala guests included this service dog, representing one of the programs and services that UDS connects through its mission to provide personal care and support services for older adults and people with disabilities.

Judging from the audience’s appreciation and the philanthropic inspiration generated by his appearance before this Lancaster crowd, he is off to a great start. The night shaped up to be UDS Foundation’s most successful event to date, raising $700,000 in one spectacular evening.

UDS Foundation’s leadership team (left to right) of Erik Lofgren, Tina Seidel, recent retiree Nancy McCormick, President & CEO Judy Naylor, Robin Ulrich and recently retired CEO Bill Kepner, welcomed Saquon Barkley (center) to Lancaster. (Missing is Beth Brennan.)

Barkley summed it up best: “I realize it may only be one, might only be 10, it might be thousands, but when I’m on my deathbed, I want to be able to say I used God’s gift, my talent, to help people.” Now that’s a superstar.

For more information, visit Udservices.org.