Northbrook Boy Gives Sport and Hope to Children in Africa

11 - Year Old Colin Redmond Brings SPORT, HOPE, and OPPORTUNITY to children in Kenya working with Gear for Goals

Colin Redmond loves all sports, but he is particularly fond of soccer and baseball.  The two sports keep him and his family pretty busy too, with games, practices, and lots of tournaments.  But this doesn't bother is parents because they love that he is passionate about sports and the many powerful life lessons he is learning through healthy competition.  But Colin is also special in that he wants to make sure other kids who are less fortunate than him also get a chance to play the sports he loves.  That is why recently he partnered with Northbrook and Kenyan based charity Dreamweaver International to provide sports equipment to hundreds of children in the bush of Kenya.  Colin decided for his 11th birthday rather than asking friends to bring gifts for him, he asked for donated sports equipment.  As well, Colin made purchases of new soccer balls from the Gear for Goals "One Gives One" campaign.

Gear for Goals Fastest Growing Sport Charity in North America

Gear for Goals is the fastest growing sport charity in North America providing new and used sports equipment to children locally and internationally.  In the two years since inception, Gear for Goals has provided sports and musical equipment to over 43,000 children in 18 countries and is soon adding it's 19th country later this week.  The program is very simple they provide.  Gear for Goals asks for used sports items and musical instruments people have lying around in garages or basements that is not being used and then finds recipients who need the gear.  As Dr. Warren Bruhl, executive director for Gear for Goals says, "there is over $10 million in sports and musical equipment that is collecting dust in every upscale suburb in America.  Our objective is to get this gear donated and find a home for it".  As Bruhl says, "they like to connect resource with need".  

Colin's Efforts Make a Huge Impact

Colin's efforts were particularly special because his donations were hand delivered by Dr. Warren Bruhl and his daughter in Kenya.  Moreover, Colin also sent along a personal letter to the children in Kenya with his gifts and hand signed the soccer balls and baseballs Bruhl gifted in Kenya.  Then, the children in Kenya sent thank you notes back to Colin expressing their appreciation and the sacrifice Colin went through to give them hope and a chance to play sports.  Remarkably, a soccer ball in Kenya costs about $50 US to purchase, approximately ONE MONTH OF A MAN'S SALARY.  Therefore, few can ever afford to own their own soccer ball and even schools have only one or two terribly worn out balls for more than 1000 students in many cases.  

"ONE GIVES ONE" IS THE ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM

The "One Gives One" program is unique in that is offers people in the US an opportunity to buy a soccer ball for their personal use and then a brand new ball is donated on behalf of the purchased ball.  This program works like the popular program created by Tom's Shoes that provides a new pair of shoes for every pair purchased.  In addition, baseballs are also donated in the same way as soccer balls to children in countries where baseball is popular.  

How to Get Involved

Gear for Goals works regularly with people who would like to donate items personally.  Gear for Goals can also provide a "How To" kit that will walk you through how to do your own gear and music instrument drive.  In addition, their are volunteer opportunities to work with the charity or even travel internationally to coach children in Kenya.  Moreover, "One Gives One" balls are available for gifting by visiting g4gsports.org.  For more information contact Dr. Warren Bruhl at dr.bruhl@dreamweaver911.org


ONE GIVES ONE IN ACTION IN KENYA.

Gear for Goals - SPORT=HOPE=OPPORTUNITY