Money is Power

   

Everyone is aware that the amount of money earned by a professional athlete, regardless of sport, is a ridiculous sum that the average human being will never see throughout a lifetime. Where did this display of nonsensical exchanging of money between a franchise and an athlete begin? The game took place in Trenton, New Jersey in 1896 between the Trenton Basketball Team and Brooklyn YMCA at a local Masonic Temple. This was presumably the first ever sporting contest in which the participants were paid to play. Ever since that fine day in New Jersey, 114 years ago these contracts and agreements have skyrocketed beyond what anyone could have imagined. It sparks the question, where is all this money being spent? Sports is now reaching a point where athletes don't know what to do, with the amount of money they are making. Which leads me into my main hope for this blog, if you have the capabilities and financial backing to make it happen, use the sports scene as a launching pad to make a difference in this world. Many athletes are currently making this hope a reality, and I wanted to spotlight a few organizations and their ongoing efforts.
     The Embassy of Hope is an organization that has been founded by Orlando Magic forward Vince Carter. The Embassy of Hope has touched the lives of countless children in the United States and Canada. Using money raised through the Foundation’s annual fundraisers, the Embassy of Hope has made a difference for children throughout Florida, New Jersey, Toronto, and elsewhere through a number of activities. As a part of Vince’s advocacy of children in the world of sports, he donated 2.5 million dollars to his high school to enhance the school’s gymnasium. Vince continually signs on to promote children’s causes through several other organizations including the Children’s Home Society, the Salvation Army, and the Wings of Hope Foundation. Vince Carter is truly making a difference in this world and using his athletic ability as a pathway to making this world a better place.
     Many of you may have heard recently about Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh, and the trade rumors circulating around him. What you may not have heard is about the work that he is doing with youth around the Toronto area. Chris founded the Chris Bosh Foundation in 2004 a non-profit organization promoting social enrichment, education and physical fitness among youth. The Foundation assists youth in reaching the educational and athletic goals they set through mentoring and setting examples in the community. They have programs in Toronto as well as Dallas, and have worked very closely with other organizations such as The Special Olympics. Once again, with the amount of money that Chris Bosh has made and is going to make in the future, and his ever growing popularity, I am pleased to learn about the work that is being done.
     I know that most of you have a yellow bracelet at home that says "Livestrong", but do any of you know the foundation behind it? Lance Armstrong, at age 25, was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Going untreated, the cancer had spread to Lance's abdomen, lungs and brain. During his treatment, before his recovery, before he even knew his own fate, he created the Lance Armstrong Foundation. This marked the beginning of Lance's life as an advocate for people living with cancer and a world representative for the cancer community. This is a world class athlete that again has stepped up and is trying to make a difference, by using his popularity and financial backing to give back. So next time you see someone with a yellow bracelet around their wrist, give them the "Sup" nod, because now you know the meaning behind it, and the courage it takes to persevere everyday for the cancer community.
     Finally, this kind of charitable work by professional athletes spans the globe. Dikembe Mutombo is one former athlete that is a humanitarian first and and an athlete second. The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation
is dedicated to improving the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Foundation strives to accomplish this goal through an emphasis on primary health care and disease prevention, the promotion of health policy, health research and increased access to health care education for the people of the Congo. This dude is over in Congo emptying bed pans, and taking temperatures. Need I say anything else? Dikembe doesn't just write some checks (he does that as well) he gets his hands dirty and makes an impact in more ways than he knows.

     All of these foundations are listed below with ways that you can get involved. Obviously there are way too many of these foundations to mention in one blog. More info is also available about others not mentioned here, please email me at bowman.trent@ymail.com. With the amount of money being thrown around in this modern era of professional sports, it is very pleasing to see many athletes having an impact. The next time someone comes up to you and wants you to settle down, because it is "Just a Game", you tell them about any of these foundations I have just shared with you and tell them, it seems like "More Than A Game" to me!

Embassy of Hope Foundation      Get Involved

Chris Bosh Foundation                Get Involved
Lance Armstrong Foundation       Get Involved

Dikembe Mutombo Foundation    Get Involved