Those involved with and/or have  a love for sports have so many ways to get involved, anything from volunteering as a coach, or donating money, equipment, or services, to going online and finally finding what one needs to do to be certified as a soccer coach (that’s one of my goals), to just playing the games they love with honor, respect, and a heightened sense of sportsmanship.  Many around the country used that wonderful sense of community around sports right after 9/11 to recognize those lost, the efforts of first-responders, and the pride we had in being citizens of this country. Sports should not relinquish its position as a leader in giving back.

One group that is encouraging its membership is Athletes for Hope (AFH). It is pretty hard to find an organization with as impressive a contingent of founders than AFH: Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Warrick Dunn, Jeff Gordon, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning and Cal Ripken, Jr.  AFH is leveraging its leadership position and partnering with the United We Serve campaign. Through the partnership, AFH will help professional and Olympic athletes with a passion for philanthropy connect with charitable causes throughout the country to help make a difference in their local communities.

AFH is one of many groups out there doing their part to turn that darkest day into one that shines bright in remembrance of family members, friends, colleagues, alums, and neighbors and in hope of creating a better world through service.