2008 Woodie Awards
Clearinghouse for Volunteers: A different take on March Madness
Tricia Williams
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
02/28/08 - While many of us look forward with eager anticipation to the month of March and all the basketball madness that typically ensues, this month I ask you to consider sharing your enthusiasm and love of sports with someone who could learn and benefit from the role models provided by professional athletics. Whether you're purely a basketball fan or a sports enthusiast across the board, Rhode Island Sports Heroes could use your help in spreading the values and leadership skills offered by the experience of team athletics.
Rhode Island Sports Heroes, Inc. is a nonprofit organization focused on engaging local area youth in professional sporting events in an effort to make a positive difference in their lives. Founded over four years ago, the organization has reached out to hundreds of Rhode Island's less fortunate youth. Targeting children between seven and 17 years of age from low-income families, the mission of RI Sports Heroes is to provide the underprivileged and at risk youth of Rhode Island the means to stay off the streets and away from drugs by teaching them the leadership, friendship and teamwork skills that successful athletes portray.
Many of the youth involved in RI Sports Heroes have never experienced a live sporting event, nonetheless had the opportunity to meet the athletes they admire.
Enthusiastic volunteers are needed to assist with the organization's ongoing programming and typically help out by attending games with the participating youth to serve as role models as well as social companions during the events. On March 8, RI Sports Heroes will be attending a Brown University women's basketball game, and past events have included Providence College men's basketball, Boston Celtics basketball, Providence Bruins hockey, and Paw Sox baseball games. When not attending live games, participants have made trips to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. and taken tours of Fenway Park. Each event makes an effort to expose area youth to the leadership and teamwork skills that lead to the development of healthy, successful, rewarding young adult lives.
If you're interested in volunteering with RI Sports Heroes, please contact Lou Tager at 829-8708. Also check out the organization's Web site at www.risportsheroes.org to learn more about past events and how to get involved. For other volunteer opportunities, stop by the Clearinghouse in Roosevelt 125, call us at 874-2568, or e-mail CFV@etal.uri.edu.
Rhode Island Sports Heroes, Inc. is a nonprofit organization focused on engaging local area youth in professional sporting events in an effort to make a positive difference in their lives. Founded over four years ago, the organization has reached out to hundreds of Rhode Island's less fortunate youth. Targeting children between seven and 17 years of age from low-income families, the mission of RI Sports Heroes is to provide the underprivileged and at risk youth of Rhode Island the means to stay off the streets and away from drugs by teaching them the leadership, friendship and teamwork skills that successful athletes portray.
Many of the youth involved in RI Sports Heroes have never experienced a live sporting event, nonetheless had the opportunity to meet the athletes they admire.
Enthusiastic volunteers are needed to assist with the organization's ongoing programming and typically help out by attending games with the participating youth to serve as role models as well as social companions during the events. On March 8, RI Sports Heroes will be attending a Brown University women's basketball game, and past events have included Providence College men's basketball, Boston Celtics basketball, Providence Bruins hockey, and Paw Sox baseball games. When not attending live games, participants have made trips to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. and taken tours of Fenway Park. Each event makes an effort to expose area youth to the leadership and teamwork skills that lead to the development of healthy, successful, rewarding young adult lives.
If you're interested in volunteering with RI Sports Heroes, please contact Lou Tager at 829-8708. Also check out the organization's Web site at www.risportsheroes.org to learn more about past events and how to get involved. For other volunteer opportunities, stop by the Clearinghouse in Roosevelt 125, call us at 874-2568, or e-mail CFV@etal.uri.edu.