This past weekend, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving participated in Athletes for Hope’s 9-11 service week by visiting children and families at Beech Brook, a foster care and social services charity that serves over 22,000 people in Cleveland each year. Although the visit had been scheduled for a few weeks, the children had no idea that Kyrie was planning to visit them and were excited beyond belief when he unexpectedly walked into their classroom! Kyrie spent some time answering a variety of questions before heading to the basketball court to shoot some hoops and take pictures with each person. The kids loved meeting him and had much to say after the visit.
“Dear Mr. Kyrie: I appreciated you coming and talking to us young folk. Maybe you can get dunked on another time as well. But in all seriousness, you could stop by again to give some of these children something to live for,” Chris said.
After visiting with kids in the classroom, Kyrie headed over to meet with over 100 kids and families who participated in a Beech Brook fashion show which featured all sorts of fun, colorful, and exotic costumes. Kyrie spent time sharing insight about his own journey, such as the importance of his father’s influence in his life and all the hard work he put into achieving his lifelong dream to become a pro basketball player. He then spent time with many of the individuals while signing autographs and taking pictures.
Kyrie left quite an impression on many of the people who met him. One of those children is Joshua, who said, “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come see us. I will never forget that day.”
To learn more about Beech Brook and the incredible work they do on a daily basis, visit their website here.
Since participating in Athletes for Hope’s workshop with the San Diego Padres in 2010, Catcher Nick Hundley has helped to brighten the lives of sick children throughout the country.
In our first conversation with Nick, we discovered his tremendous passion for helping sick children, and shortly thereafter we 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. Even when he has very little free time when he is traveling with the Padres, Nick often makes time to visit those in need. When he is back in San Diego, Nick is a frequent visitor at Rady Children’s Hospital, and his impact has been felt by everyone who comes across his path.
Belinda Lanois of Rady Children’s Hospital said, “Thank you all for making my job the best job ever. Nick is extraordinary. Smiles and laughter filled the halls of the hemoc unit because of Nick. From telling jokes, to playing a game, to taking photos, Nick was completely genuine with each patient he met. He brought joy to every kiddo and family he visited with. On days like today, my heart fills and I know why I do what I do. We made a difference.”
Yesterday, Professional Skateboarder Doug Brown took time out of his busy schedule to visit with families at the Ronald McDonald in Cleveland, OH. During the visit, Doug shared several important life lessons and he also got to know many of the individuals on a deeper level.
“What an amazing day at the Ronald McDonald House,” Doug said. “Getting to bring a smile into their day was so rewarding.”
Doug has been devoted to giving back to the community for many years. It is not uncommon for Doug’s Facebook followers to see a variety of pictures and posts from Doug every week as he visits different charities throughout the country. In addition to his work with the Ronald McDonald House, Athletes for Hope has helped connect Doug to several other charities in 2013, such as the Boys and Girls Club of the Western Reserve, and First Book.
We are very lucky to work with such a passionate and giving person. Thank you for all that you do for the community, Doug!
Granite School District Earns National Recognition at Event Calling for Every School District in America to Have High Quality Physical Activity
Salt Lake City, UT – Hundreds of students warming up for their daily “Jolly Jogger” activity at Crestview Elementary School this morning received an inspiring message from some of the nation’s top athletes: Being active today is a great way to do better in school tomorrow.
The message was delivered by Chris Waddell, the most decorated male skier in Paralympic history; Emily Cook, two-time Olympian and five-time national champion aerial freestyle skier; Olympic speed skater Derek Parra; and Jacqui Little Rimando, WUSA soccer player. The athletes released a new research report, A New Game Plan for America, showing that physical activity increases academic achievement. They also called for every school district in America to have high quality physical education (PE), and for Congress to ensure that all school districts report how much and what kind of PE they’re offering. The reporting is important, the athletes said, because parents need to be assured schools are making physical activity a key part of every school day.
“The research in this report from the CDC and other top sources is surprising,” said Waddell. “The report shows that at least 30 minutes of physical activity at school can improve not only kids’ fitness but their academic achievement as well.”
“We want every school district in America to do what the Granite School District is doing,” said Cook. “When kids discover the joy of movement, they improve their academic performance.”
“Right now two out of three high school students in America do not get daily PE,” said Rimando. “We have to change our culture to make kids see physical activity – like walking or riding a bike – as something that’s as important as brushing their teeth and something they should do every day.”
The athletes came to Crestview Elementary for a ceremony that honored the Granite School District with the Innovation in Physical Activity Award, which was presented by Champions for America’s Future Vice President Jeff Kirsch, who recognized the Granite School District for its leadership. He noted that Congress has an opportunity to ensure more schools offer high quality PE as it considers K-12 education reform this year.
“Reporting on physical activity that students are getting should be as important as reporting on test scores and graduation rates,” said Kirsch. “As a nation, we recognize schools have a responsibility to serve healthy food to our kids. Physical activity is as central to keeping kids physically fit as a healthy lunch is to keeping them well-nourished.”
“Most kids won’t grow up to be Olympians, but they all deserve the opportunity to live healthy, fit lives,” said Athletes for Hope CEO Ivan Blumberg. “Schools like Crestview and others in the Granite School District are setting a great example for others to follow.”
In detailing the connections between physical activity and academic success, Kirsch noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviewed available research studies and reported that 11 show that physical education at school enhanced academic achievement. Data reported by the Journal of Pediatrics showed that 20 minutes of moderate physical activity can help children with ADHD improve math and reading scores. A third study in Sweden examined one million 18-year-olds who joined the army and found that better fitness was correlated with higher I.Q.’s, even among identical twins. A New Game Plan for America also reports:
In one generation, childhood obesity has tripled. Today 17 percent of teenage girls and 20 percent of teenage boys are suffering from childhood obesity
Overweight children are more likely to become overweight or obese as adults. Among children who are already too heavy, 75 percent will be overweight or obese as adults.
In just 44 years, physical activity in the U.S. has declined by 32 percent, and is on track for a 46 percent drop by 2030. Among U.S. children, moderate to vigorous physical activity drops by 75 percent between the ages of 9 and 15.
Obesity has a significant, negative impact on the economy. The Institute of Medicine reports that annual medical spending on obesity-related illness is now $190 billion a year, with one in five dollars being spent on health care.
Champions for America’s Future is a national, bipartisan membership organization of athletes and coaches who have come together to make sure every child has the best chance to compete in life. Its members educate the public and policymakers at the local, state and national levels about proven, cost-effective programs that help children overcome obstacles that prevent them from competing successfully in the 21st Century.
Athletes for Hope is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 by philanthropic athletes, including Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Warrick Dunn, Jeff Gordon, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, and Alonzo Mourning. As athletes who share a deep commitment to giving back, its founders joined forces to create an organization that brings athletes together to educate, inspire, and empower them to channel their energy for a common goal: to make a difference in the world.
Earlier this week, Athletes for Hope brought together a group of Olympic and Paralympic athletes from several sports, including archery, rugby, and track and field for a visit to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, CA. Archer Mackenzie Brown, rugby players Ryan Carlyle, Emilie Bydwell, Kimber Rozier, and track and field athletes Blake Leeper, Jere Summers, and Reindell Cole participated in the visit.
“I grew up with a disability and was constantly in and out of the hospital,” Leeper said. “Being around the kids brought back a lot of memories – being at the hospital at a young age, missing school, not being around your friends. Spending time with them today was really important to me. The other athletes really enjoyed it – it brought them back to reality and let them know what is really important in life. When you have kids like that who are going through something so hard, our lives don’t seem so tough.
During the visit the athletes played with patients in Carley’s Garden, located in the hospital’s hematology oncology unit. The athletes played, created, spoke, and hung out with the patients and families while numerous games and art projects were also occurring throughout the visit.
“It was really a lovely afternoon for all!” Rady Children’s Hospital In-Kind Coordinator Belinda Lanois said. “The visit was great and we love working with Athletes for Hope because the visits are so much fun for both the staff and the patients.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
For the fourth consecutive year, Athletes for Hope held a national service week in honor of Dr. King. We received an incredible response from athletes across the country who felt empowered to give back during this important time. Pro and Olympic athletes from eight different sports, including basketball, bobsledding, boxing, cycling, skateboarding, soccer, track & field, and volleyball volunteered with charities across many causes and states around the United States. A few of this year’s MLK Jr. campaign athlete-charity connections include:
Bobsledder Jeremy Holm inspired youth at he discussed his journey to success with multiple juvenile detention centers in Salt Lake City, UT.
Skateboarder Doug Brown partnered with First Book in a social media campaign to raise awareness for children’s literacy while he also took the time to share his inspirational story with children at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club in Akron, OH.
US Women’s Soccer player Heather Mitts captivated her audience of nearly 100 children at The Community Partnership School in Philadelphia, PA.
Former NBA Star Etan Thomas and his family volunteered with First Book in a variety of activities including packing books into backpacks for underserved children in Washington, D.C.
Boxer Ann-Marie Saccurato brightened the day of many sick children at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital in Palm Beach, FL.
