Athletes For Hope

By Richard Diaz
Love of Sports Correspondent

Aside from being athletes, can you find a legitimate link between 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.?

Hint: the link has absolutely nothing to do with the fact they’re all legendary athletes.

It does, however, have everything to do with the fact that each of them is as charitable as they were athletically dominant. Now, while you’re likely to have seen a story on their individual charities, odds are you probably didn’t know that each of them played a role in the foundation of one enormous organization, known as Athletes for Hope.

The founding members created Athletes for Hope to inspire more athletes to get involved in philanthropy, to inspire millions of others to volunteer and to support community and charitable organizations and to enhance the positive contribution of athletes.

The founding athletes know there’s a special connection between athletes and the fans who support them and follow their careers with interest. These people believe Athletes for Hope can use that connection to create a movement for positive change. In the same way watching athletes compete inspires millions to get involved in sports, they believe athletes who are working to make the world a better place can inspire millions to do the same.

Starting in 2005, Agassi, Armstrong, Hamm and the leaders of their foundations began discussing the formation of an organization to support athletes who share their intense desire to help others. After 18 months of work, the result was the launch of Athletes for Hope.

Think of it as the place where athletes go when they’re interested in getting involved with a charitable organization. Rather than choosing blindly, athletes come to the foundation for guidance, and are eventually matched with an existing organization.

While being charitable is always a fantastic thing, it’s good to know that a group of legendary athletes saw the bigger picture and came together for a wonderful cause. Here’s to some well deserved love for Athletes for Hope and everything they stand for.

For more information on Athletes for Hope, go to ... http://www.athletesforhope.org/.