Jul
28
Thousands of Athletes Set to Participate in the 2010 National Kidney Foundation’s U.S. Transplant Games
July 28, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The National Kidney Foundation 2010 U.S. Transplant Games will be held July 30 to August 4 in Madison, Wisconsin.
Started in 1982 with a group of determined transplant athlete pioneers gathered in Texas for the first regional Transplant Games, it has evolved into an Olympic–style, multi-day event for athletes who have received life–saving organ transplants of every type.
Transplant athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in 12 different sports, including track and field, swimming, tennis, basketball, cycling and golf.
Said John Davis, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation, “More than 100,000 Americans are currently on the waiting list for life-saving organ transplants and 18 people die each day while waiting. The Transplant Games visually showcase the success of transplantation, demonstrating the life–saving power of organ donation. We hope our spirited competition will slam home the message that every American should consider becoming an organ donor.”
Attendance at the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games is expected to reach 7,000 people, including transplant athletes, their families and friends and families of organ donors. Athlete participants range in age from two to 85.
In addition to the rehabilitative benefits of this athletic competition, the U.S. Transplant Games provided a unique opportunity for transplant recipients to gather and share experiences, kindle friendships and celebrate their “ultimate second chance” at life while paying tribute to those who make it all possible—the donor families.
How you can get in the game:
To find out more about the Transplant Games and the athletes, and to learn about organ donation and transplantation check out the National Kidney Foundation’s website
Jul
21
Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon Set for Sep. 19, 2010 – “Cross that Bridge”
July 21, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon press conference and rally took place today in Market Square in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, marking two months before the start of the inaugural Sept. 19 race. Race fan, dignitaries and sponsors were on hand to show their support.
Steve Nearman, founder and event manager, and an Alexandria businessman, said running a race across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge had been a dream of his since 2007.
“I liked the idea of someone in this race running over the bridge and thinking, ‘Wow! Somebody came up with this idea and that is really cool’”, said Nearman, a former runner and journalist who covered racing.
The 13.1 mile-trek will start in historic Mount Vernon in Virginia, travel along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, then, for the first time ever, runners will cross the Potomac River on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The race ends at the National harbor in Maryland.
“This is an outstanding example of community and commerce coming together,” said Alexandria mayor Bill Euille, who attended the kickoff. “And, it’s going to be a great and fun event.”
Nearman announced there were nearly 3 thousand runners already signed up for the event.
The race will also benefit the following charities – the Alice Ferguson Foundation, the American Heart Association, Autism Speaks, the Child & Family Network Centers, back on My Feet-DC and the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.
For more information head to the race website: www.wilsonbridgehalf.com
Jul
16
Redskins Linebacker Chris Draft hosts “Project Blind Side” Book Giveaway Event
July 16, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Washington Redskins linebacker Chris Draft, founder of Project Blind Side, and the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) hosted a screening of the Oscar-nominated film “The Blind Side,” in an effort to tackle literacy. Free books were given to the community youth that attended the Southeast DC theater event.
The community screening was part of the A Book in Every Kid’s Hands initiative, and every kid who attended got a copy of “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.” As part of the initiative each child was asked to finish the book and write an essay about what they learned by August 15. Ten essays will then be selected as finalists, and the winner will win a day with Chris Draft.
Draft is working to tie Project Blind Side into the Department of Education’s broader “Let’s Read, Let’s Move” initiative.
“I am excited to partner with Secretary [Arne] Duncan as we work together to make literacy and education a priority in every home across this nation,” said Draft, who founded The Chris Draft Family Foundation in 2006 and is the author of “Do You Want To Play Catch.” “We know firsthand the difference reading and access to educational materials can have in a child’s life. We are proud to put a book in every kid’s hands to encourage literacy and learning 365 days a year.”
Project Blind Side will be powered by Legacy Connect’s online fundraising website www.legacyconnect.com, which will raise dollars and awareness virally for the program to ensure the project is successful in getting “A Book in Every Kid’s Hands” starting in the Washington, DC area. Based on a person-to-person fundraising model, supporters can watch inspiring videos about the program, make a donation, and invite friends to join the movement.
A panel discussion followed the screening with panelists Chris Draft, Joe Briggs of the NFL Players’ Association and Chevonne Mansfield, Assistant Director of Sports Information at Howard University. The discussion focused on the prominent theme of literacy in the film and the importance of reading.
How you can get in the game:
Click here to visit the Legacy Connect website and find out how to make a donation
Check out The Chris Draft Family Foundation website here
May
18
MaliVai Washington walked into the lobby of the Ritz Carlton and began eyeing the silent auction items displayed on the tables. Not odd – the spread was part of a foundation fundraiser taking place that evening, and Washington was in DC to accept an honor. What was strange is that no one immediately recognized him. Quite a difference from Washington’s days on the tennis court, where the one-time Wimbledon finalist made his presence known with his booming serve and steady ground game.
Washington probably did not take it personal. After all, on this night he was being recognized by the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation for his post-playing philanthropy work. This night was about the more than 10 years he’d been working to serve youth, not aces. This night was about celebrating the accomplishments of the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation and the Youth Center that opened its doors in 2008.
It is with the foundation that Washington has fiercely devoted as much time and energy as he once did on his game. And in a world where distractions are plentiful, Washington hopes the lessons he’s learned from tennis – discipline, sportsmanship, self-confidence – can be taught to the youth he works with.
“The biggest challenge we face occurs everyday, because these kids are being pulled into negative directions on a daily basis,” he says. “We are pulling them into something positive. And we have to figure out productive ways to keep them on track.”
Started back in 1997 in Jacksonville, Florida, MWKF’s programs provide development activities for youth in elementary through high school. There are after-school programs, summer camps, and of course tennis. The foundation operates in one of the most underserved areas of the city – a majority of the children live at or below the poverty level, and there are high rates of teen pregnancy and juvenile crime. To date, the organization has touched the lives of more than 15,000 Jacksonville area-youth. And a true measure of its success is the brand new, $3 million state-of-the-art youth center.
The WTEF, a tennis, education and life skills foundation itself, presented Washington, and Mary Carillo, with the Champion of Tennis Award at its annual fundraiser.
Former tennis champ MaliVai Washington with several DC-area honor roll students at the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation's Tennis Ball (Anne B. Keiser)
“I’m excited the WTEF is embarking on a project to expand,” said Washington, referring to the new center. “I know our impact as a result of expanding, and to be part of that is exciting for me.”
And as he did after capturing the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award in 2009, Washington shifted the focus from himself onto the foundation, acknowledging that it was a “tremendous” honor he appreciated and accepted on behalf of his hard-working staff, as it showed their efforts were being noticed.
He and his staff will continue to work tirelessly to accomplish the foundation’s goals.
“It’s more work than I could ever have imagined,” says Washington, who is involved in every aspect of the foundation. “But it’s also more gratifying than I could have ever imagined.”
Living a purposeful life might be the nicest way to recognized.
How you can get in the game:
At the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation website, you can make a donation or volunteer your services
You can also show your support for the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation at their website
May
12
With Soccer as the Showcase, Doc Film “Changing the Game” Entertains and Educates
May 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment
A new sports documentary called “Changing the Game” follows the lives of six teens from poor and violent communities on three different continents as they come together this June in South Africa at the first-ever Football for Hope Festival.
Chevonne Mansfield, Howard University, DC United's Thabiso 'Boyzzz' Khumalo and Me at the 'Change the Game' fundraiser. (Burnice A. Cain)
The film incorporates intimate interviews and first-person videos from the teens to capture their story of hope — from their relationship with their communities to what this trip to the tournament will mean for them.
Though they face different challenges in their lives – poverty, conflict, HIV/AIDS – they are united by the international language of soccer, and transformed into youth leaders to change the game not only in their home communities but also the world.
The Football for Hope Festival is an official event of FIFA’s 2010 World Cup created to showcase the social dimension of soccer. The film is in early production and currently fundraising to finish the project.
How you can get in the game:
Meet Boyzzz from DC United at a Happy Hour Fundraiser taking place on Thur. May 13, in Washington, DC. You can make in-person donations there.
If you are not in town, head to the film’s website to contribute online, Soccer-Film.com
Apr
12
Tennis Ball and Round Robin Tournament Highlight WTEF Fundraising in DC
April 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The Tennis Ball is WTEF’s largest annual fundraiser and all of the proceeds benefit the children they serve. The two events are the Tennis Ball dinner at the Ritz-Carlton downtown DC, and the Capital One Bank VIP Round Robin Tennis Tournament. The evening at The Ritz-Carlton consists of Live, Mini-Live and Silent Auctions, dinner and recognition of honorees, Mary Carillo and MaliVai Washington, and Calvin Cafritz & The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.
The Capital One Bank VIP Round Robin Tournament the following morning will be held on May 8th at The William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center from 10:00am to 1:00pm. The event features a round robin doubles competition among tennis celebrities, members of Congress, Tennis Ball sponsors, media, and other VIPs from the DC business community. Some of the past team captains include Bob Ryan, Jim Handly, Brett Haber, Congressman Norm Dicks, Congresswoman Jane Harman, Councilmember Yvette Alexander, Richey Renenberg, Elise Burgin, and Senator John Breaux. This year’s participants will have the chance to interact with Champion of Tennis honoree, Mary Carillo as well as play with and against Champion of Tennis honoree, MaliVai Washington.
How you can get in the game:
Washington Tennis & Education Foundation
Mar
29
It started with a spotlight on industry trends – we were strongly advised to think global, digital and green. It gave participants access to an extensive lineup of sports executives – nearly 150! And when it was over, we were left to wonder about our own personal brands, and to think about what we needed to do next.
“It” was the 7th Annual Sports Events Marketing Experience (SEME 2010). Held this past weekend inside the Nationals Ballpark in Washington, DC, the conference drew 300-plus attendees all eager to find out what it will take to get a job in the sports industry.
The panel discussions were terrific – focused, relevant and presented by knowledgeable industry professionals.
On Saturday the conference opened with a panel called “Impacting Global Communities Through Sports & Social Responsibility”. Ellie Cox, Director of Athletes for Hope, stated right away that she felt social responsibility was one of the biggest growth areas in sports. That was exactly what I needed to hear and it got me to perk up in my seat. Cox talked about her experience at Athletes for Hope, including how at philanthropy meetings athletes don’t look across the table at others and think of them as competitors. She says instead they say how can we work together to do better. Cox thinks this model is so powerful it is going to change the way people do business.
Matt Sicchio told us the story of how the organizers of the 1994 World Cup took $50 million in excess revenue to start the US Soccer Foundation. Serving as the major charitable arm of soccer in the United States, they have given away that surplus and more in grants, financial support, and loans for programs and projects in all 50 states. And the hundreds of thousands of individuals who have benefited from training and education are a great example of a socially responsible legacy indeed.
Also on the panel was Brendan Tuohey who pointed out how the philanthropy space seems to have gone from no platforms to almost too many. A former basketball player, Tuohey founded PeacePlayers International in 2001 with his younger brother. The organization, which operates programs in Northern Ireland, South Africa, Cyprus, and the Middle East, uses sport to unite and educate young people in divided communities. Tuohey is convinced the main realization behind global social responsibility is that sport works. He added that the biggest challenge is in funding.
The best takeaways for me were the ton of people I met that I intend to stay connected to. And because I was so inspired and encouraged by all that I learned, one of my action steps will be to become a mentor. I hope everyone got as much out of the conference as I did.
How you can get in the game:
Go to these websites to find out what the organizations above are doing and how you can volunteer or contribute:
Athletes for Hope
US Soccer Foundation
PeacePlayers International
Mar
21
Charitable Events
March 21, 2010 | Leave a Comment
DC Scores Soccer Ball — March 24, 2010
Support youth soccer in DC by heading to this annual gala at the historic Union Station. DC scores provides after-school programming for more than 700 students between the ages 8 and 15.
www.DCScores.org
World Autism Awareness Month – April, 2010
Light It Up Blue – a global initiative to help raise awareness on autism – kicks off on the evening of April 1, with iconic landmark buildings around the globe lit up in bright blue in support of Autism Awareness Month.
www.lightitupblue.org
American Heart Association
Celebrity Golf Tournament — April 19, 2010
The 26th Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament will be hosted by retired Washington Redskin, Brian Mitchell, will be held at The Golf Club at Lansdowne Resort. The tournament is a captain’s choice scramble that supports the fight against heart disease and stroke, our nation’s #1 and #3 killers respectively. Each sponsored foursome is paired up with a celebrity golfer. The event day includes a breakfast, silent auction, exciting challenges, raffle items, lunch, and a fun post-event awards dinner.
www.ahagolftournament.org
Washington Tennis & Education Foundation’s
Tennis Ball – May 7, 2010
The Tennis Ball is WTEF’s largest annual fundraiser and all of the proceeds benefit the children it serves. Plus the event features the 2010 Tennis Ball Honorees Mary Carillo, MaliVai Washington and Calvin Cafritz.
www.wtef.org
Mar
18
Reaching Out on the Road to the Final Four
March 18, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Somehow after the Super Bowl my focus shifted to pro basketball and auto racing earlier than usual and college basketball got lost in the shuffle. Which means beside the usual favorites, I have no idea which teams or athletes are good. So it looks like I’ll be skipping the brackets this year. That won’t stop me from watching the games, though, or from writing about philanthropy around the tournament. I uncovered a number of events that will be happening in the Final Four host city of Indianapolis.
Here are a couple I found interesting:
Thursday, April 1 is Community Day and the NCAA will be teaming with the National Association of Basketball Coaches and a group called Samaritan’s Feet to distribute 2,010 pairs of shoes to kids in need throughout the Indianapolis community. (2,010 – like the year we’re in, get it?) Anyway, Samaritan’s Feet is a non-profit dedicated to putting shoes on the feet of impoverished children in the U.S. and around the world. Its goal is to provide 10 million pairs of shoes for 10 million impoverished people in 10 years. To date, nearly 3 million pairs of shoes have been collected (www.samaritansfeet.org).
The United States Basketball Writers Association will be conducting a two-hour Sports Writing Workshop for about 100 local high school and college students.
On Good Friday, April 2, the Indiana Blood Center is hosting a blood drive in the NCAA Hall of Champions Parking Lot (www.indianablood.org).
If you are more of a ‘hands on’ volunteer, head to the Ransburg YMCA on April 4, and work with the NCAA and the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation on fixing up the gym. The foundation was established in memory of Ugolyn, an NCAA student-athlete at Columbia University, who shared a lifelong love of basketball with the world prior to his tragic passing on September 11, 2001. The foundation is committed to supporting youth basketball, with an emphasis on court refurbishment, skills clinics and financial support for character-building educational programs aimed at children in urban settings. (You can contribute directly to The Tyler Ugolyn Foundation c/o Ridgefield Bank; PO Box 2050; Ridgefield, CT 06877-0950).
And speaking of skills clinic, Bracket Town Youth Clinics will host Special Olympic children, ages 8-16, with NCAA coaches and student-athletes giving them sport instruction, conditioning tips to improve their athletics performance and an opportunity to learn life skills and sportsmanship.
How you can get in the game:
To get more information about how to donate or participate, check out the NCAA Community Outreach page
Mar
15
Clemson Guard Has an Off-the-Court Mission
March 15, 2010 | Leave a Comment
There’s a young man in South Carolina whose day job is going to school and playing guard for the Clemson Tigers basketball team. But in his spare time he’s some how managed to start and run a foundation that supports young cancer survivors.
Maybe even more surprising is that Tanner Smith, now a sophomore on the team, began Tanner’s Totes back when he was a 12-year-old. When he was younger, he lived through watching his father, now cancer free, struggle with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphona. You do not live so close to a cancer patient and not be affected yourself. Tanner took his pain, his ordeal and turned it into a vow to help other children who had to deal with this.
Today his nonprofit hands out goody bags that long-term cancer patients in South Carolina and Georgia can keep with them during their months of treatment. The bags are filled with journals and pencils, CDs and disposable cameras, socks and blankets and lots of little things to remind these kids that someone is thinking about them.
“At first I wasn’t sure it would matter,” Tanner told an ESPN.com reporter in 2009. “I mean, what can colored pencils and modeling clay do? But we can’t cure cancer right now. There isn’t a medicine or a shot or a test that helps you cure it or prevent it. At least we can help somebody get through it.”
The totes do make a difference, and to date, with the help of Tanner’s parents and many volunteers, they have been delivered to 1,500 patients in 30 hospitals.
To find out more information about Tanner Smith’s foundation, check out the website:
Hit for Haiti Tennis Exhibition Raises $1M … Last Friday, tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal partnered with retired legends Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras in a charity exhibition match that raised more than $1M for earthquake victims in Haiti. It was great to see Agassi, who played in his warm up sweats, and Sampras on the court again. All four players wore mics and the 17,000 in attendance got an earful as Agassi and Sampras traded what some are calling unnecessary insults during the first part of the match.
Not to be undone by testosterone, Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, and Lindsay Davenport joined current women’s player Justine Henin in a second doubles match.
Net proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the American Red Cross. Earlier in the year at the Australian Open, a similar event raised more than $600,000.
And here’s a piece of old news I came across while doing some background research. On Feb. 28, a group called Uplifting Athletes held its annual Rare Disease Day. The goal is to unite people affected by rare diseases by raising awareness. Millions of people around the world observed Rare Diseases Day to focus on rare diseases and how they affect patients’ lives and their family and friends. Rare diseases are chronic, progressive, debilitating, severe and often life-threatening. Information is scarce and research is insufficient. Uplifting Athletes is a nonprofit run by football student athletes. They’ve got chapters at Penn State, Ohio State, Maryland, Boston College and Colgate. We missed this one, but their next event will be the Coaches vs. Cancer 5k on April 17, 2010.
How you can get in the game:
At Hit for Haiti 2, you can watch the men’s doubles match and can still make a donation online or by text.
Uplifting Athletes has information on any of the school sites to sign up for the April 17th 5K.
