olympic Archives - Athletes for Hope

Olympians Get Austin Kids Moving

Posted: March 30, 2017 Updated: March 30, 2017 by bsanchez

On March 9^th, on the East side of Austin, 6 professional and Olympic athletes took time out of their busy schedules to visit Brooke Elementary, to encourage kids to exercise and stay active. Brooke Elementary is a neighborhood school where 96% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced lunch. It is also a community of kids and administrators who are trying new and innovative ideas to keep kids engaged and learning. With this in mind, we connected former WNT soccer star and Olympian Kristine Lilly, former NFL player Octavious Bishop, Olympic Decathlete Trey Hardee and Olympians Sanya Richards Ross, Kendra Chambers and Fiona Asigbee with the kids. First, the athletes stood up and shared a little about themselves. Octavious shared his struggle in academics as a child and how he was able to turn it around and earn his PHD. Trey Hardee talked about being cut from his basketball team, only to become a gold medal winning Olympian. Their inspirational stories were followed up with fun physical activities with the athletes. We truly enjoyed facilitating this athlete visit – the largest visit of this type we have ever coordinated. Hats off to Brooke Elementary students and administrators for making us feel so welcome.

Chris Waddell and Let’s Move Active Schools

Posted: April 20, 2016 by bsanchez

AFH Athlete, Chris Waddell, participated in several Let’s Move events this month first as the keynote speaker for the Let’s Move! Active Schools general session at the 2016 SHAPE America Convention and Expo. Chris addressed a packed house of PE teachers and physical fitness advocates at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The crowd loved Chris’ core message: It’s not what happens to you. It’s what you do with what happens to you. Prior to Chris’ speech’, Chris was taped for the SHAPE America podcast that reaches thousands of other health and physical educators.

Chris found time to visit a Let’s Move Active Schools school during the conference. He shared his story and powerful message to approximately 100 students at Newport Elementary School. Chris motivated the kids to do well on their upcoming state tests.

We are grateful for Chris’ continued involvement in Athletes for Hope!

AFH CEO Presents Workshop to Olympians in Chula Vista

Posted: February 2, 2016 Updated: February 2, 2016 by bsanchez

This past week, AFH CEO Ivan Blumberg traveled to Southern California to facilitate a Causeway workshop at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. Olympic athletes from the U.S. Rowing, U.S. Rugby, and U.S. Archery teams participated in the workshop. During the workshop, the athletes explored important themes, such as the value of time versus money and whether athletes have an obligation to give back to their communities. The players also learned about each stop on the Causeway map, which guides athletes in their philanthropic involvement.

Over 40 athletes signed up as AFH members and we look forward to helping them further their charitable passions in the community!