Thomas Morgan’s Post

What We Do In Life, Echoes In Eternity! Can you imagine taking 200 youth from underserved communities to a professional college basketball game AND allowing them to PLAY ON THE COURT!!!! Our name is Only The Beginning for a reason.

At G.E.A.R., we know sports teach more than skills—they teach life lessons. However, for many, Pay-to-Play fees and lack of gear stand in the way. The Detroit Pistons partnered with G.E.A.R. to make a life-changing donation to Battle Creek's Midnight League, a program offering a safe, structured environment for young adults from 8 p.m. to midnight. With only 8 jerseys and 1 basketball, this program was struggling. Thanks to the Pistons' donation, they now have the gear they need to continue their life-saving work. Recently, Battle Creek lost 3 young lives to street violence—proof that programs like this are vital. Help us keep youth off the streets and in the game by joining donating and partnering with G.E.A.R. Every bit counts.💪🏽 #GEAR #DetroitPistons #BattleCreekMidnightLeague #YouthAthletes #YouthAthletics #FinancialConstraints #FinancialBarriers #YouthEmpowerment #AthleticsForAll #MakingADifference #UnlockPotential #BreakBarriers #EmpowerYouth #LevelThePlayingField #SportsForAll #AthleticEquality #YouthEmpowerment #CommunitySupport #YouthDevelopment

I was delighted to be invited by Teresa Jennings to talk at the launch of the Brathay Bursary last night alongside Garryck Spurgeon-Price, my friend and fellow ALP graduate. We shared our own experience of Brathay residential’s and the impact it’s had on our lives but also reflected on the importance of these experiences for young people. I’d like to share some of those reflections here… 🍃Young people today are facing extraordinary pressures. From education and employment challenges, to the impact of the cost of living crisis on their personal and family lives, and constant exposure to an evolving technological world. Outdoor residential’s provide a break away from everyday pressures or distractions, allowing young people dedicated time to focus on freedom, expression, and exploration. 🍃Spending time outdoors is proven to have both mental and physical benefits. We cannot underestimate the impact of building these connections from an early age. Ultimately this understanding comes from experience, and residential’s help children to form the habit of enjoying time outdoors. 🍃Young people are drawn to seeking risk. This is part of the natural stages of development a child moves through as they grow. Unfortunately there is a lack of space and opportunity for young people to fulfil this need which can lead them into unhealthy or unsafe behaviours. Outdoor residential’s provide the perfect alternative by facilitating healthy risk taking in a safe environment. 🍃The challenges and activities that form an outdoor residential allow young people to see their skills outside of external recognition. They are encouraged to reflect on team tasks and how they and others achieved their goal. This is not about ‘who reached the summit first’. It is focused on who spotted an upcoming difficulty, who helped navigate the solution, who communicated this to the group, who helped the team stay motivated, or who supported others? Recognising contributions and skills beyond traditional academic areas is both inspiring and important for building self-esteem and confidence in all young people. The Brathay bursary will ensure more young people benefit from these life changing experiences, regardless of location, background, or financial circumstances. Please consider supporting the Brathay bursary by donating or sharing with others, it really does make a difference - https://lnkd.in/efahgVDU

Did you know it's Anti-Bullying Week next week? 👊 The Premier League Charitable Fund has launched a a new set of free, curriculum-linked teaching resources for schools in support. The football-themed lessons use the sport’s appeal to inspire meaningful classroom conversations, encourage reflection on behaviour, and promote respectful relationships. Learn more about the resources below 👇 #antibullyingweek https://lnkd.in/eefdD6u5

I know that this information may shock and surprise you... but it's Giving Tuesday! Obviously there are an enormous amount of newsletters, posts and emails going out across all mediums of digital communication today sharing that very same exclamation, but I can't help but mention just how deserving Edgewater Castle Football Club is of your support. For the last 7 years, we have build an organic grassroots community soccer club on the foundational pillars of volunteerism, community engagement, creativity and sustainably accessible programming. Through our strong partnerships with civic and private organizations of like-minded values, we have been able to not only sustain ourselves, but grow dramatically year over year, all while not charging a single player a single cent to participate in any of these programs - from youth after-school soccer camps to our elite adult teams - none of our players pay to play. This means that every dollar we have ever received has gone directly toward providing more opportunities to more players in our neighborhoods. A large part of our success has been the support of individuals in our community and abroad who are willing to chip in and help. Our club is changing a great deal in the next few months (all for the better & more on that soon), yet our foundations and our values are set in stone, and the people who have helped build our castle - stone by stone - have had an enormously important hand in making that the case. If you'd like to contribute a donation to support our work, you can do so through the following link: "We are the Strength Against the Storm. We are the Rooks!" #GOROOKS 🌊 🏰 🙏

As back to school season is in full effect, many parents are busy preparing themselves and their children for the new school year. Educators are also busy preparing for the upcoming school year and some school districts will be fortunate enough to receive financial resources that help them equip its classrooms for new & returning students while others may struggle to make do with outdated resources for their classrooms. It comes as no surprise that Oklahoma ranks poorly amongst other states in the country in education ranking 44th overall in 2024. The Every Student Succeeds Act was signed in 2015 to address advancing equity to disadvantaged & high-need students, however, many school districts continue to miss out on opportunities to better serve its students due to political sentiments that fail to prioritize the next generation of leaders and thinkers. This year I decided to join some of my friends at Generation Why to help gather & distribute school supplies to some of the Oklahoma City Public Schools who were not as fortunate to receive state or federal funding to help provide its students the necessary resources they need for the upcoming school year. Last year #GNWY managed to raise over $12k to help students at F.D. Moon Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year. This year their goal is to raise $10k for more #OKCPS schools and also host another #FillTheBus drive to accept any donations from local businesses & organizations to help steer this mission. If you or your organization is interested in participating, feel free to reach out to my dear friend Jordan at #GNWY to help them acheive their goal for the upcoming school year. Any donations can be distributed to #GNWY before or on August 4th at their #FillTheBus event or online via their website. See details below. Date/Time: 8/4/24 05:00p Location: 100 N McCormick Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73127 Fill The Bus Donations: https://lnkd.in/gJuikpUd Visit GNWY: https://lnkd.in/gsXz5p2c

Fergus Federal Credit Union recently made the #CUDifference within their community with donations to the local school district. $20,000 was gifted to each of the five schools in Lewistown, resulting in a total contribution of $100,000. ~Garfield and Highland Park elementary schools are set to purchase new playground equipment and basketball baskets for their gym; ~Lewis & Clark Elementary School will be able to add a new baffle system to enhance acoustics and sound quality in its new gym; ~The junior high school plans to install a new reader board to replace its outdated letter board at the front of the building; and ~The high school will use the funds to remodel its concessions area for sporting events. The credit union said of the donations, "Our community is so important to us and we like to give back any way we can."

I think everyone knows by now that I am a big proponent of Good Sports, Inc. and their mission to help kids get active. Now that school is back in session, it's a good time to remember that for too many children, the school year means missed opportunities for physical activity. 79% of U.S. kids aren't meeting daily exercise guidelines. Schools are struggling with budget cuts and a lack of equipment, leaving P.E. classes and recess programs in a dire state. But there's still time to make a difference. Good Sports is working tirelessly to ensure that every child has the chance to play this school year. They're delivering brand-new sports equipment to schools in need, empowering P.E. teachers, and filling playgrounds with laughter and activity. Your donation today can have a ripple effect that lasts far beyond the school bell. It can: - Help a child discover a hidden talent or passion. - Boost confidence and self-esteem. - Improve focus and academic performance. - Foster teamwork and friendships. - Create memories that last a lifetime. https://lnkd.in/evFxtRGU

One week today is Cash for Kids Day and we need YOUR help! Did you know that 2.4 million children recieve free school meals across the UK? There are also around 90 days of school holidays a year where there is a risk that these children could go hungry. We want to make sure these children have enough to eat. Money raised for Cash for Kids Day will help reach out, with fun activities and that important meal during the holidays💚 💚£5.50 could provide drinks, snacks and a meal for one child. 💙£11.95 could provide a one-day experience and a meal for one child. 🧡£51.66 could provide one child with a place at a five-day sports club. If you are in a position to make a donation to our Cash for Kids Day campaign this year please click here- https://lnkd.in/egbF8qnH Or email manchester@cashforkids.org.uk to find out how your company could get involved! Thank you so much for your support, together, we can make a difference to Childrens lives this summer 🧡💚💙 *All donation values, example item prices and example activity costs have been sourced from beneficiaries of recent Cash for Kids grants across the UK. To find out more please email help@cashforkids.org.uk. *