In a few small but tangible ways, Athletes for Hope appears to be changing the culture of sports philanthropy.

Bruce Schoenfeld

SportsBusiness Journal

Of all the meetings we’ve had in spring training, that was the best one in 30 years.

Ozzie Guillen

Chicago White Sox Manager, talking about the team’s Athletes for Hope Workshop

It was an amazing morning and one that will live on in each of our memories for a long, long time. The messages delivered by Ivan and Lonnie Ali were powerful and resonated with many of us in the room. I have never seen an entire Club more focused on a speaker(s) in my many years of partaking in various team presentations.

Shana Daum

Senior Director, Public Affairs and Community Relations, San Francisco Giants, talking about the team’s Athletes for Hope Workshop

I really appreciate the turning point AFH has been for my life. Working with Girls Inc of Orange County has led to many positive things – meeting great people as friends and connections, influencing young girls in a positive way and in general feeling like I am making a difference.

Ann Gaffigan

USA Track & Field (USATF)

I’ve been working with Athletes for Hope for over five years now and I can’t say enough about how great they have been to me. After I had heart surgery a few years ago, AFH connected me with the American Heart Association so I could share my story with others. They’ve also put me in touch with several other charities I wanted to help, and I always trust that they are looking out for me. I would recommend them to anybody.

Etan Thomas

Retired NBA Player

I once thought that the best way to give back was to write a check and because there isn’t a lot of money in women’s soccer I have never been able to do so but I have been wrong all along. Giving back is about the quality of the time you put in, not necessarily the quantity. I am so grateful I have been able to work with AFH…because of the opportunities they have set up for me I am becoming a better person and realizing that there is so much to life than just sport.

Erin McLeod

Canada Women’s National Soccer Team

Athletes for Hope provides the avenue for athletes to get connected to communities, and I honestly believe that they are the most integral part. I think most other athletes would agree that it is easy for us to volunteer and get involved in the community because it is our passion, but because of Athletes for Hope’s commitment and relationships within the community, it makes our job a lot easier to focus on the people in the community and our passion.

Luke Sassano

Retired Major League Soccer Player

Athletes for Hope has provided children in homeless families with the opportunity to play with basketball stars and soccer legends right in the shelters where they live. It’s a powerful thing for children to see professional athletes they look up to and have the chance to interact with them, playing basketball and soccer in the shelter. The athletes talk with our children about the importance of educating the brain as well as the body, reading books and talking one-on-one with children. We are so grateful for our partnership with Athletes for Hope which make it possible for our children to have these incredible experiences!

Jamila Larson

LICSW, Executive Director, Co-Founder, Homeless Children’s Playtime Project

We have been a charitable partner of Athletes for Hope for over two years. By having Athletes for Hope members come to The Salvation Army to volunteer time, we are able to expose children to positive role models in athletic interest areas when there are no other means to do so. This partnership also helps us to enhance the services in our community as well as bring in new interest through heightened exposure brought on by the athletes.

Tara Holcomb

Development & Public Relations Director, The Salvation Army West Palm Beach, FL