Tag: Athletes in the Community
JJ Hoover visits with veterans twice while in Washington, DC.
When the Cincinnati Reds came to play the Washington Nationals this week, Reds pitcher JJ Hoover visited more than just Nationals Stadium. During the short time he had in the DC area, JJ had two long visits with veterans and their families.
On Tuesday, JJ visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he met one-on-one with wounded veterans working out in the rec center. Afterwards, JJ had the chance to meet many more patients while taking a tour of the center’s facilities.
The next day, JJ invited families who were recipients of scholarships provided by ThanksUSA to join him at the ballpark before the game against the Nationals. JJ took valuable time to get to know the families, signing balls and taking pictures with them in the dugout and on the field, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
To make this possible, we worked with Thanks USA, a great organization that offers college, technical and vocational school need-based scholarships to the children and spouses of US military personnel. Learn more on the website here. We also thank Walter Reed Medical Center for their help coordinating the visit and making the visit possible.
Washington Spirit visits Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
June 24, 2015 – The Washington Spirit Professional Women’s Soccer team took time out of their busy schedule to meet with children at the Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in conjunction with charity Hope For Henry. Spirit players Caprice Dydasco, Megan Oyster, Jenn Skogerboe, Estelle Johnson, Lyndse Hokason, Amanda DaCosta, and Kelsey Wys joined for the visit. The players spent time in the pediatrics wing, brightening the day of the children with balloons, lots of picture taking, signing soccer balls, and delivering cupcakes.
Throughout the year, Hope for Henry team DC area hospitals to provide patients with celebrations, including special visits by athletes and authors, pamper parties for girls and their mothers, movie nights, and more. We are thankful to have such amazing partners such as Hope for Henry and the Washington Spirit, and we are looking forward to the next event.
AFH University @LSU
AFH facilitated workshops for both the women’s soccer and volleyball teams at LSU, as well as follow up workshops with the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
The LSU women’s basketball had their first visit in conjunction with Girls on the Run at Forest Heights Academy of Excellence. The connection was a smashing success as the young girls participated in a variety of team-building and fitness activities that involved cheers, chants and a lot of high fives. It was engaging and fun on both fronts and inspiring for the 3rd to 5th grade girls to see successful women at LSU cheering them on through their journey!
Nick Hundley “Makes-A-Wish”
Since participating in the Athletes for Hope workshop in 2010, Catcher Nick Hundley has embraced the Athletes for Hope mission and work. In our first connection with Nick, we discovered his tremendous passion for helping sick children, and shortly thereafter coordinated Nick’s first visit to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, Ca. Nick had so much fun with the kids and this sparked an even greater interest in giving back to those in need. Since his first visit, Nick has taken the time to visit hospitals throughout the country, including those in Milwaukee, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Last year’s trip to Milwaukee Children’s Hospital started something special for Nick. During his visit in May of ‘14, Nick met Zach Sprader, a patient at the hospital, and they hit it off instantly. They talked baseball, and Nick promised to get Zach a signed jersey. It was a great visit, but this was just the beginning. Through the Make-A-Wish program, Zach and his family had planned a Fall trip to visit a number of ballparks on the east coast. Nick learned of Zach’s upcoming trip, and personally invited Zach and his family to Camden Yards to catch up, go out onto the field, and meet some of Nick’s teammates. Obviously, a great time was had by all.
A few weeks ago, as the ’15 baseball season was starting, Nick again personally reached out to Zach and invited him to his first series of the year in Milwaukee. A year after their first meeting, Nick and Zach had the opportunity to hang out at the ballpark. Zach and Nick are good friends, and often times text one another to keep in touch!
AFH Joins Let’s Move! Active Schools National Collaborative
Today at the Partnership for a Healthier America’s Building a Healthier Future Summit, Let’s Move! Active Schools announced that Athletes for Hope will join its national collaborative aimed at ensuring 60 minutes of physical activity is the new norm in schools across the country.
In its role as a Let’s Move! Active Schools Partner, Athletes for Hope will administer an athlete visit program, connecting schools with sports leaders who can speak with students about the importance of physical activity.
Studies show that active kids do better: Physical activity not only helps kids stay healthy and strong, but it can also lead to higher test scores, improved attendance, better behavior in class and lower rates of childhood obesity.
Since Let’s Move! Active Schools’ March 2013 launch, more than 14,300 schools have registered, and more than 8 million students have been impacted by the initiative. Let’s Move! Active Schools strives to reach 50,000 schools and 25 million students by 2018.
If you are an athlete or a league and are interested in visiting an Active School, please email us today!