SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CHF International (CHF), the international development and humanitarian assistance organization, today announced a partnership with Athletes for Hope and Luke Sassano, defensive midfielder for the New York Red Bulls. The partnership is part of Athletes for Hope's First Annual Who Gives! Racing for a Cause campaign, which begins today and runs through early January 2010.
Sassano will help to raise support for one of CHF's many programs in Rwanda, specifically focused on providing educational support for more than 45,000 orphaned and vulnerable children.
CHF's mission is to work in some of the poorest areas of the world, serving as a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low- to moderate-income communities. In Rwanda, CHF is working to provide school fees and supplies, nutritional and psychosocial support, and vocational training for at-risk children. Additionally, CHF will be facilitating the development of parent-teacher associations (PTA) as well as Drop Out Prevention Response (DOPR) teams as part of its promotion of UNICEF and the Government of Rwanda's Child Friendly Schools (CFS) Initiative.
"I am very excited and honored to be working with CHF International and Athletes for Hope on the Racing for a Cause campaign," says Luke Sassano. "Working with CHF really appealed to me personally because of the many youth projects they have around the world. The initiative to get Rwandan child-headed households and orphans into local schools can help to ensure that their lives, which have been affected by genocide and HIV, can turn in a positive direction."
The Who Gives! Racing for a Cause challenge is the second phase of a unique 3-part social media and engagement campaign and is the largest virtual competition for charity featuring professional athletes. Sassano is a member of Athletes for Hope and is racing against 55 other athletes including Athletes for Hope Founders Mia Hamm, Alonzo Mourning, and Muhammad Ali. To view the leader board and to make a donation, visit .
The number of children needing support for school materials and uniforms far exceeds what CHF alone can provide. Without materials or a proper uniform, even a child who has found the money to pay school fees may not be able to attend school. Funds raised by Sassano and by public supporters on GlobalGiving.org will allow more children to access education, will encourage the development of child-friendly buildings, and will help to motivate PTAs, DOPR teams and school authorities as they navigate their newly-formed roles as community advocates.
"I personally know how important and invaluable a child's education is," says Sassano. "A simple elementary and high school education will give these children the knowledge and confidence that can give them opportunities that they could have only dreamed of before. I am truly inspired by the initiatives and actions of CHF International and I cannot wait to begin the Athletes for Hope Racing for a Cause Campaign."
ABOUT CHF INTERNATIONAL
CHF International is an international development and humanitarian assistance organization, currently working in more than 25 countries around the world. The organization's mission is to partner with low-income communities around the world to help them to improve and direct their lives and livelihoods. CHF International programs are community-led initiatives designed to build a better world. For more information, visit or follow CHF International on Twitter @chfonline.
ABOUT LUKE SASSANO
Luke Sassano, an Orinda, CA native was drafted by the NY Red Bulls in the third round (32nd overall) in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. A versatile player who can play both midfielder and defender earned his place in the starting XI during the Red Bulls 2008 playoff run. He made his MLS debut against Columbus on April 5 in the 2008 season opener. Sassano played in 18 games, starting 11 of them, in the regular 2008 season and started in all four playoff games as the Red Bulls made it all the way to the MLS Cup Final. Prior to his professional soccer career, Sassano served as team captain for the University of California-Berkeley where he was named All Pac-10 Honorable Mention in 2005.
Off the field, Sassano volunteers his own time at the Jubilee Center in Hoboken, an after-school and summer safe haven for children in Hoboken's public housing, a neighborhood with a history of gang activity, violence, and drug-related arrests. Along with his teammates, Sassano is also a frequent visitor at Hackensack Medical Center, bringing joy to the pediatric ward. He also participates annually in Dick's Sporting Goods "Shop with a Jock", a program where underprivileged children shop with a local athlete. Sassano is continually one of the Red Bulls that makes the most community appearances.
ABOUT ATHLETES FOR HOPE
Athletes for Hope is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded by an elite group of 12 professional athletes with a shared passion for philanthropy. Its mission is to educate, encourage, and assist athletes in their efforts to contribute to community and charitable causes; to increase public awareness of those efforts; and to inspire others to do the same. Athletes for Hope's 12 Founding Athletes are: 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.
CHF International
2009-12-17
categoria News