“When you invest in young people, you invest in the future. You invest in the next community leaders. When you do that, you make the world a better place.”
Last week, we traveled to Shirley Winston Park in Columbus to celebrate the ribbon cutting of our fourth Braves Park Project together with Truist! To support the Sally Little League baseball and softball players, we donated new equipment, pitching mounds, hitting nets, and more. Thanks to the help of Truist volunteers, we also painted the concession stand and installed new landscaping as part of our investment in the park and its athletes.
The night concluded with a community wiffle ball game and dinner provided by a local food truck!
Today we are here in Columbus, GA at Shirley Winston Park helping out Sally Little League. The genesis of Truest Park projects, as you know, was really when Truest put their name atop our ballpark in in Atlanta. They made a commitment to help us go into communities and help our ballparks around Braves country. We got L screens, very nice. All screens. We got 4 pitching mounds. It's a lot of equipment that. We've got us like, you know, when you walk in the equipment room, it's like Christmas for us. When you invest in young people, you invest in the future, you invest in the next community leaders when you do that. Make the world a better place. You give our young people something with you. You give them an opportunity that they may not have ever had.
In 18 years of competing in the 'Hood Bowl' fantasy football league, I've learned that success isn't measured by personal achievements but by the impact we make. Transforming winnings into donations for causes and communities reinforces the true essence of leadership: service.
Video in next Post!
🏈 #LeadershipThroughService#FantasyFootballWithAPurpose#ImpactOverAwards
Over the weekend, I was able to celebrate the work of the Indiana University Dance Marathon in 2023 ahead of Indiana’s clash against Penn State at Simon Skojdt Assembly Hall.
While I have been transitioning out of my post as the Director of Corporate Relations over the past few months, I wanted to reflect on some of the lessons I learned from my tenure.
1. Relationships Matter - Establishing and nurturing robust connections is essential for effective leadership, especially when working collaboratively with a diverse set of individuals. In my role, this involved 22 other student leaders on the executive council, 7 chairpersons and 60+ committee members on my committee, and a portfolio of numerous businesses from across the nation. Fostering positive relationships with each of these groups is crucial, as it plays a vital role in achieving our common goal of contributing to lifesaving efforts for kids in need at Riley Hospital for Children. The utilization of authentic connections served as a pivotal factor in attaining shared objectives between stakeholders.
2. Be Decisive - Being decisive entails not only making informed and timely choices but also acting proactively based on data. Striking a balance between gathering sufficient information and avoiding prolonged decision-making processes is essential for progress. A decisive leader showcases confidence and clarity in their choices, fostering momentum and direction for the team. This approach not only instills a sense of purpose but also encourages proactive decision-making among team members.
3. Keep The Faith - Maintaining a positive and optimistic mindset, especially during challenging times, is crucial for leadership. Believing in the mission and vision of your organization can inspire others and help overcome obstacles. Acknowledging the highest of highs and the lowest of lows over the course of my tenure on the executive council added depth to this perspective. It was a year filled with both triumphs and tribulations.
The journey, however, became meaningful through the unwavering support of my colleagues. Standing by each other during tough times and celebrating victories together forged a strong sense of camaraderie. While the frustrations of unproductive efforts were present, this collective perseverance made every endeavor worthwhile. In the end, the elation of celebrating the accomplishment of raising over $3 million for lifesaving healthcare with my best friends eclipsed everything, making the entire experience incredibly fulfilling.
My time in IUDM was truly the best thing that has ever happened to me. It made me a better marketer, better leader, and most importantly, a better man.
I will always look fondly at my time in the organization and I am incredibly grateful to FORVIS, Allied Solutions LLC, Solution Tree, Graduate Hotels, Mom Water, HospitalRecruiting, Papa Johns, and countless other partners for their generous support over the years.
Go Hoosiers and FTK!
Before the tip-off at today's Indiana University Bloomington men’s basketball game, I had the honor of participating in the Indiana University Dance Marathon check presentation to Riley Children's Health. Together, we celebrated the incredible achievement of our IUDM students, who raised just over $3 million for the kids at Riley during last year's event while also reflecting on the remarkable 30+ year journey of IUDM, contributing over $50 million to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
In addition to running my own PR consulting firm, I have also been the GM of a non-profit travel baseball program - created in NYC six years ago to provide opportunities for all kids - regardless of economic status.
Every year, the East River Sharks baseball program provides scholarships to kids from various parts of NYC who can't afford the cost of joining a travel baseball team. Many of our coaches are volunteers, and we rely on donations to keep the organization running and the kids on the field! Currently 70% of our players are on scholarship!
This week, for 4 days only, we are raising money for our non-profit baseball program the East River Sharks! It is weird to post this on LI, but it is part of my world of work, and part of giving back. If you are corporation, we would love your sponsorship if you are looking for a worthy cause. Or if you just want some popcorn and want to send a quick donation (by the way the popcorn is awesome), then click the link below!
We are using the funds to create two new younger teams as many of our players are now in high school and college. Need more convincing about how you can help... consider this...
2 of our players have gone to the show (SF Giants and AZ Diamondbacks)
30 of our players over the last 6 years are now playing in college. And, there are more players out there to help! #nonprofits#nonprofit#baseball#youthempowerment#youthsportshttps://lnkd.in/eBb6gphK
NOTHING IS " IMPOSSIBLE" TO ACCOMPLISH ! Simply because, I can learn by listening and recalling whatever I hear, see and/or read IRRESPECTIVE of person, place, subject, trade or circumstances that I pass by or with!
Prodigy Finance!
To finance with loans for interest to support the third world /commonwealth countries-students lighten their burden of huge study costs for higher study and thereby contribute in conversion of human into human resources combindly: perhaps it is the most profitable business network now in the world!
So try to revise your old-obsolete-British minded policy to retain your shared businesses in the modern world of sustainable business mainly driven by holistic marketing strategy and approach to explore and pick it up not cunningly but with utmost trust and honesty otherwise you may lose yours to the honest and sincere competitors very soon!
Congratulations to Ryan Retartha for being one of the South Bend Regional Chamber honorees in the 2024 Michiana Forty under 40 class!
The program recognizes professionals under the age of 40 who actively pursue and achieve outstanding professional success while also engaging in his/her community through charitable and civic involvement.
We are continually grateful for Ryan, his leadership at Mendoza, and his dedication to ensuring our business community is a force for good in the world. Congrats, Ryan!
There will continue to be stories like this because:
1) we have an efficient platform
2) you can tie any element of creativity into the fundraiser
3) it’s straightforward and simple
💥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💥
🌟 At Schoolfundr, we're all about pushing past your fundraising goals to provide your athletes with everything they need to shine! 🚀 Just look at Myers Park Baseball - they smashed their fundraising target by 136% with our help.
By hosting a 50/50 Raffle through Schoolfundr, they raised crucial funds for player development and field enhancements. 🏟️💪 Like the Myers Park Mustangs, we believe in fostering a winning culture. With Schoolfundr, winning is what we do best!
Interested in kicking your team's fundraising into high gear? Let's make it happen together. Find out more about fundraising with Schoolfundr by checking out our link! https://lnkd.in/gRdiBpYU
Wanted to share this sad news. PBell was a great friend and colleague, he will be missed.
Patrick J. Bell passed away on Saturday May 4, 2024, surrounded by family. Please help us support Pat and his family by donating to the following GoFundMe.
https://gofund.me/8a477555
Erin Thibodeaux-Davison is the President & CEO at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana, an organization that is marking 45 years of offering critical youth mentoring programs in Louisiana. We talk about resiliency, and what it means to lead an organization through FOUR federally named disasters within a year (not to mention a pandemic). We discuss:
* Valuable lessons for nonprofit leaders about surviving – and even thriving – in the midst of mother nature’s chaos (and coming out even stronger on the other side).
* The need for volunteer mentors.
* BBBS of SWLA’s Big Defender Fund
https://lnkd.in/evBgBAXS
HUGE Shoutout to Rockwall Yellow Jackets Baseball for raising $9.5k with Schoolfundr in just ONE DAY! 🎉 This achievement is a testament to the power of the Schoolfundr platform and the dedication of the team and their supporters.
Keep this strong momentum going for the Yellow Jackets by visiting their fundraiser here: https://lnkd.in/gCuAWSbN
Let's smash that goal! 💪
three+one's donation of shirts goes beyond a simple act of giving; it represents our commitment to nurturing the potential and leadership qualities within these students.
Learn More Here: https://lnkd.in/emByD-Uk
Event Op @ Atlanta Braves | Event Coordinator, Production Assistant
4moLove to see the Braves helping the youth.