Athletes in the Community Archives - Page 8 of 16

AFH News

Posted: June 13, 2023 Updated: June 27, 2023 by Hannah Bronkema

Sharing Smiles in North Carolina

On Saturday, June 10, 2023, AFH staff members hosted a community service day in Charlotte, NC with the United States’ official Bobsled and Skeleton (USABS) team and coaches.

The day started off with an Empowerment Workshop where the AFH team shared the importance of service and the many ways AFH provides opportunities for athletes to be a part of campaigns, programs, and service opportunities to give back to their communities.

A member of the USABS writes letters of encouragement for hospitalized kids.

Immediately following the workshop, the team of 45 athletes designed cards with encouraging messages for hospitalized kids and filmed videos discussing the importance of mental health, physical fitness, and leadership skills before being split into small groups for three service opportunities

The first service opportunity was an event at TopGolf with Dream on 3, an organization that helps local children and young adults who are living with a life-altering condition realize their sports dream. The USABS team was able to play golf and interact with 65 kids and families from Take On Sports.

Two members of USABS smile with a member of Take on Sports at the Dream on 3 Topgolf event. — USABS members smile with new friend at Dream on 3 event.

Members of USABS smile for a photo with all members of Take on Sports at the Dream on 3 Topgolf event. Together they hold up signs that spell out "Dream on 3." — USABS members smile with new friend at Dream on 3 event.

Thank you so much for your partnership in putting together an amazing time this Saturday! Our Dreamers had SO MUCH FUN with the USA Bobsled and Skeleton athletes!!! I hope your athletes will enjoy seeing all the smiles and difference they made!
Elizabeth Lindsey, CoFounder and Executive Director of Dream on 3

The second event was an Ice Cream Social Event for 200 women and children who reside at the Salvation Army Center of Hope Shelter. Athletes had the opportunity to serve up smiles and ice cream to families and single women.

Two members of USABS smile while setting up an ice cream station at the Salvation Army Center of Hope Shelter event. — USABS team members smile while setting up an ice cream station.

Members of USABS smile and pose for a photo before setting up ice cream stations at the Salvation Army Center of Hope Shelter event. — USABS team members smile while setting up an ice cream station.

“It was incredible!!! The athletes were so kind and humble. Several of them sat down with our ladies and shared stories and experiences with them. Our families and single women truly enjoyed the connection and ice cream. Thank you so much for thinking of The Salvation Army and the families we serve across Charlotte.”
Sarah Gamble, Salvation Army Director of Community Engagement

The third event to conclude the community service day was at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte. The USABS team had an opportunity to meet families and kids who live at the house, assemble toiletry kits, and cater dinner for the families.

Members of USABS smile and pose for a photo with staff members at the Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Greater Charlotte. — USABS team members smile with staff at the Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Greater Charlotte.

A photo of a rolling cart filled with toiletry kits packaged by USABS team members. — USABS team members smile with staff at the Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Greater Charlotte.

Thank you all so much for volunteering at the house this weekend! We are glad that you all were able to visit, tour and pack toiletry kits. We look forward to seeing you all again!
Darrell McGill, RMHC Corporate Relations Manager

AFH is overwhelmed with joy from all of the positive feedback we received from USABS and our amazing partners in Charlotte. The USABS athletes are incredible role models in the community and made a positive impact in Charlotte.

Members of USA Bobsled & Skeleton team pose and smile for a photo with team members for AFH after their Empowerment workshop.

AFH is looking forward to establishing a long-lasting partnership with USABS and expanding and implementing this workshop-to-service model with other USA teams.

If you are an athlete or a coach wanting to know more about AFH workshops or want to schedule your own workshop with AFH, click here.

Olympic Athlete Spotlight

Posted: June 8, 2023 Updated: June 9, 2023 by Nick Gangewere

Shannon Boxx continues shining beyond the field

For National Soccer Hall of Famer Shannon Boxx, it is the people, not the sport itself, that have helped her down the path to becoming a national icon. The former midfielder participated in three Olympics and four World Cups for the United States, but her career highlights stem well beyond the field.

Boxx simply embraced every aspect of her life, from her multiracial heritage or numerous injuries, en route to a game that took her from the age of 4 to the age of 38. Despite receiving her first call-up at 26, Boxx ranks within the top-12 of Americans with the most career appearances and has the most USWNT appearances of any Black woman. She had a 12-year national team career, yet it was the choices outside of soccer that has stuck with Boxx the most.

As a professional athlete I always knew I had a greater responsibility than just performing on the field. As a female athlete I knew how important it was for me to be a role model.
Shannon Boxx

And a role model she was.

Boxx was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 30 during one of the best times of her playing career. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where one experiences inflammatory fatigue from one’s own immune system attacking its tissue. This made not only soccer but life, difficult for Boxx.

She had to learn how to understand her body in ways she never truly thought about before, noticing signs that could lead to sudden bursts of muscle and joint pain.

The USWNT starter was just two years removed from a FIFA Player of the Year finalist berth in 2005 when Lupus tried to derail her. However, Boxx did not let the disorder dictate her lifestyle. It eventually sparked a new goal: wanting to help others.

I was afraid to let people know about my Lupus but once I realized how important it was for me to share my story, to make Lupus visible, I wasn’t afraid anymore.
Shannon Boxx

What went from a fear of looking weak became her biggest strength.

Today, Boxx is one of the biggest advocates for spreading awareness about Lupus and points to her passion for the subject as the key reason she wants to find new ways to help.

“It wasn’t until around 2012 I realized with social media how important it was for me to use my platform to help others and to bring greater awareness to things I truly cared about,” Boxx said.

Athletes for Hope has helped Boxx in more ways than one and continues to stand alongside the former soccer star throughout her advocacy journey, becoming another name to the list of people that have had a mutual impact with Boxx along the way.

When you are passionate about something it makes it easy to create space for it. I truly enjoy helping empowering others to reach their full potential and I have loved that Athletes for Hope has helped me find avenues to be able to do that.
Shannon Boxx

So while soccer as a game has given Boxx a platform to become a notable advocate for Lupus, without her family, friends, coaches, and teammates along the way, she does not believe she would have seen the same success.

“I feel so blessed to have been able to do the things that I have done and I know everything I have accomplished is because of the support of the people around me who were willing to make time for me,” Boxx said. “I have always wanted to pay that kindness forward.”

Four Olympics and three World Cups do not define Shannon Boxx’s legacy. The mark she is leaving surpasses her success on the field as she has used her platform for good. She is helping create the change she once wished to see in the world, a change that shines a light on the disorder that she thought might bring her down.

Boxx realized that her fears were in her head, and the impact she could make was important enough for her to overcome her own doubts.

My advice is just get out there and try it even if you don’t know exactly what cause you are interested in yet. Use Athletes for Hope to help connect you and over time you will realize where your passion lies.
Shannon Boxx

What We’re Reading

Posted: June 2, 2023 Updated: June 2, 2023 by jbelinkie

May 2023

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate, and making connections that will last a lifetime. Here are six articles the AFH team read throughout the month of May that you could have missed.

“At this point my priority is my mental well-being and taking a break for some time. I’ve worked as hard as I could to push through it.”

Read the full article at ESPN.com

“An avid cross country and track runner whose 4×400-meter relay team won at Nike Indoor Nationals this winter, Collin Maher knew he wanted to give back to his community with a running-related project.”

Read the full article on RunnersWorld.com

“What better way to help than go into a community that I was already part of — the Boys & Girls Club.”

Read the full article at Inquirer.com

“I live it every single day. It shouldn’t be just a one-day thing. We should celebrate accessibility and global awareness every single day.”

Read the full article on olympics.nbcsports.com

“Their families had trouble paying the bills, so we started out thinking, ‘Well, let’s see how many we can pay.’ There were about 20 of them, and we just couldn’t decide, so we basically paid for 20 families.”

Read the full article on profootballnetwork.com

“You want to have a positive impact on people’s lives. That’s the reason why we have the foundation: to try to impact as many people as we can.”

Read the full article on Boardroom.tv

AFH University Service Recognition

Posted: May 5, 2023 Updated: May 5, 2023 by jbelinkie

April Student-Athlete & Team of the Month

Each month we ask our AFH University campus liaisons for nominations of student-athletes and teams who excelled in service. Through our monthly nominations, we are able to acknowledge all of the good our student-athletes and teams are doing in their communities.

Student-Athlete of the Month

Our April Student-Athlete of the Month is Zion Walters from Clark Atlanta University. Zion is a leader in service on her team with a passion for kids. She is always eager to be involved in service projects in the Atlanta community and will often help find new opportunities for her and her teammates.

“Zion has been going into the Harland Boys and Girls Club twice a week for the last couple of weeks and will be doing so until the school year ends in May. Every Monday she puts on a dance clinic for the group and every Wednesday she puts on a basketball clinic for the kids.

She has been incredibly proactive about finding volunteer opportunities in the Atlanta community and is incredibly passionate about spreading her love of basketball and dance to the children at the club.”

Team of the Month

The April Team of the Month is none other than the Davidson football team. Together the team has positively impacted their community in North Carolina through dedicated weekly service visits and fundraising efforts.

“The Davidson Football team has been hard at work on the field and in the community. They have been active weekly volunteers at the Ada Jenkins Center, playing with the children after school and keeping them company.

On April 21st they had their annual Lift for Life event where they raise money and awareness for rare disease research. It is an event that the entire team participates in and they have so far raised over $9,000.”

We are so proud of all of our student-athletes who continue to go above and beyond the call of service in their communities.

What We’re Reading

Posted: April 14, 2023 Updated: April 14, 2023 by jbelinkie

Week of April 3, 2023

Every day, athletes all over the world are doing incredible work in their communities by giving back, creating opportunities for those less fortunate, and making connections that will last a lifetime. Here are four articles the AFH team has read that you may have missed.

“After the confetti fell this year in Houston and Dallas, the champions received their trophies and the madness of March concluded, but here are some ways the NCAA has left the host cities better than they were before. “

Read the full article on NCAA.org.

“If we truly wish to meet the realities of our current moment and provide the experience all students need to thrive, centering whole-student well-being in the campus experience is foundational.”

Read the full article at Inquirer.com.

“It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to feel. It’s OK to be emotional. We’re all men, but we have to be OK with having feelings.”

Read the full article at NBCsports.com.

“Countless times Black women are being scrutinized for their talents. Fast forward to today, that same treatment is being placed upon our girls. While this conversation is ongoing, girls like Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson are unapologetically speaking up for themselves and refusing to conform to historical societal torture.”

Read the full article at GirlsUnited.com.

AFH University Service Recognition

Posted: April 7, 2023 Updated: April 7, 2023 by jbelinkie

“I’d just like to put it out there that I just witnessed the most amazing bowling tournament ever. Every person I worked with could beat me in a bowling game if I tried to play them. It was a fun and heartwarming experience and I’d love to do it again.” – Joshua Griffin, Southern Football
Joshua Griffin, Southern Football

Student-Athlete of the Month

Our March Student-Athlete of the Month is Joshua Griffin from Southern University. Joshua is a leader in service on his team and in the community. He is always eager to be involved in service projects in any capacity he can, often being one of the first to volunteer when an opportunity arises.

“Joshua Griffin is a sports philanthropy certificate program participant that hit the ground running with service. In our first session, he was engaged and excited to share his passion for youth and the community.

Just this month, he read books to classes for Read Across America Day and volunteered for the Special Olympics State Bowling Tournament.”

Team of the Month

The March Team of the Month was none other than the LSU volleyball team. Together the team is making a positive impact in their community through service projects with local organizations.

“LSU Volleyball volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store sorting through and organizing donated items which enhanced the processing and ultimate sale of donated items.

St. Vincent de Paul thrift store is a place where customers can purchase items at bargain prices and all revenues generated are put back into programs supporting those in need.”

We are so proud of all of our student-athletes and teams who continue to go above and beyond the call of service in their communities.