HOUSTON, TX - Houston Texans Whitney Mercilus and his teammates will roll up their sleeves and trade in their cleats for shakers and become bartenders for a good cause. Mercilus and his foundation, The WithMerci Foundation, will host Cocktails 4 A Cause, Thursday, May 2, 2019, from 5 to 8 PM at Poitín Bar & Kitchen (2313 Edwards St #100 | Houston, TX 77077). Cocktails 4 A Cause was created to help raise money for the WithMerci Foundation's annual back-to-school event, Returning 2 Learning.

Mercilus will be joined behind the bar with his teammates: Will Fuller, Johnathan Joseph, Justin Reid, Zach Cunningham, Keke Coutee, Steven Mitchell, Jordan Thomas, Whitney Issac, Michael Tyson, Aaron Colvin, Brian Peters, Matt Kalil, Greg Mancz, Dylan Cole, Julién Davenport, Ka'imi Fairbairn, AJ McCarron, Jon Weeks, Devon Still, Duke Ejiofor, Chester Pitts, Davin Bellamy, Brandon Dunn, Carlos Watkins, Tyrell Adams, Peter Kalambayi, Johnson Bademosi, and Ka'imi Fairbairn.

Mercilus created Returning 2 Learning to help kids in the Houston Independent School District return to class after Hurricane Harvey devastated thousands of families in the City of Houston and surrounding areas. Mercilus donated $100k of his personal money to make sure the kids had everything they needed. The past two years, the foundation has provided over 800 H.I.S.D. students with free hair cuts and hair styling, free school clothes, backpacks, school supplies, and physicals, and as well as food, entertainment, and a play zone. Additionally, the foundation has donated $20,000 to the H.I.S.D. Special Education Department. This year Returning 2 Learning will take place at Billy Reagan K-8 Educational Center (4842 Anderson Rd| Houston, TX 77053) on Friday, August 16, 2019, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This year, the WithMerci Foundation will be able to provide over 1,000 children with their back to school necessities.

"I have been blessed to bless others and it is beyond a privilege. I just wanted to be able to do my part and help put a smile on the kids' faces. The expenses a family needs to get their children ready to go back to school can be hard. So if we all pitch in we can make a difference. So having a little fun with my teammates to change a life, why not." Houston Texans Whitney Mercilus.

Happy Hour attendees can expect to bid on Whitney Mercilus memorabilia, enjoy food, drinks, music, mix and mingle with Houston Texans players and celebrity guests, and take pictures in the photo booth. Tickets are $50 for Cocktails 4 A Cause, which includes the first drink. To purchase tickets or to learn more about the WithMerci Foundation you can visit www.withmerci.org and connect with us on social media @withmerci.