Laureus Sport for Good Atlanta Kickoff
Laureus Sport for Good Atlanta is an initiative aimed to strengthen the Westside community through sports. When Laureus surveyed residents, their findings were shocking. Not only did they find that violence, drugs and gang activity were growing problems in the community but something else was revealed. Families could not afford sports activity for their children. This can result in adolescent diabetes, obesity and many other life threatening diseases. Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA, Mercedes-Benz USA and The National Recreation Foundation came together to meet the needs of this metro-Atlanta community.
There were more than 300 youth at today's kickoff which also featured many familiar faces. Nickelodeon supplied a great dj that played all the current hits. Rashan Ali was the moderator for the opening ceremony. Laureus USA CEO & Olympic Gold Medalist Benita Fitzgerald Mosley had some encouraging words for the children. Dietmar Exler, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, is serious about building a sustainable future for this area.
Congratulations to the 14 awarded organizations: Field of Dreams Academy, Girls on the Run, KidsGym USA, L.E.A.D., Soccer in the streets, The first Tee of Atlanta, Atlanta Track Club, Atlanta Youth Tennis and Education Foundation, Bearings Bike Shop, Camp Southern Ground, FirstWorks Soccer, Teach a child how to fish, Chattahoochee Foundation and Net Result Tennis/Child First Team Initiative.
The heat was high but the kids were ready to play! There were so many activities for them to participate in. Baseball, soccer, golf and even more. I just wish that such an opportunity was offered to me when I was a child. Maybe I would have been more open to sports.
This project saw a need and did not stop until that need was met. The Westside of Atlanta will never be the same and that is a good thing!
