We had the chance to hear directly from Emily Cook, a 12-year member of the US Freestyle Ski Team, member of the 2006 Olympic Team who is currently training to compete in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, and one of the athletes involved in the Athletes for Hope “Who Gives? Racing for a Cause” campaign.  Emily is raising money for Right to Play, for whom she serves as an Athlete Ambassador.

“Hi Everyone!

Over the next month I will be participating in the Who Gives? Racing for a Cause competition. Organized by Athletes For Hope, athletes from across the world of sports are racing against each other to raise money for their favorite causes. Even as I continue training for the upcoming Olympics in Vancouver, I am racing for Right To Play in order to give kids around the world the chance to be kids!

As a Right To Play Athlete Ambassador, I traveled to Jordan this past April to see Right To Play programs in action in Aqaba and Wadi-Rum and became even more convinced that Right To Play makes a huge difference for disadvantaged children around the world. Watching these kids laugh and play together I could see that they were developing their self-esteem, a sense of belonging, leadership and cooperation skills, and that they were living healthier lives. To watch it was joyful in a way that is almost unexplainable!

I am thankful for the opportunities that I have had in life and recognize what sport has done for me: it’s given me confidence and discipline, taught me to respect, and showed me the importance of fair play and teamwork. Right To Play programs around the world are giving disadvantaged children similar opportunities while improving their lives.  These programs are making difference for our world’s children and in effect for all of our futures.

So please visit Who Gives? Racing for a Cause to see who I and all these other great athletes are supporting.

Thanks!