The Athlete Initiative sports program invites you to attend its upcoming Guest Speaker Series event themed "Be the Change" scheduled for this Sunday, November 18th, 2012 from 3-5pm, @ UW Duckworth Ctr, Rm 2D12 (400 Spence). The program provides all athletes, and supporters in the community to listen to speakers who have contributed greatly to our community, from inspiring others to excel, and to motivating the community to give back through service. Scheduled to speak includes former Wesmen and National Team Member Amy Ogidan and Chris Thompson of the Kickballs for Kids Initiative.Amy Ogidan is no stranger to blood, sweat and tears. Amy has played 5 years of CIS Women's Basketball for the Lady Wesmen, and if you ask anyone who has accomplised that, it is not easy. Amy had severly injured her shoulder in her 2nd year, was named an Academic All Canadian on several occasions boasting a 3.0 GPA or higher. She was also named Canada West Rookie of the year, numerous player of the week awards, member of the Canadian Jr. National team in 2009, involved with club and highschool basketball as a coach, Centre of Performance through Basketball Manitoba and in the last 3 years has began the great initiative called "Buzz Off Cancer," an annual event to not only fundraise money, but to raise awareness and collect donations of untreated hair for Children's Cancer.
Amy is motivational and inspiring in so many ways, she is a great role model to everyone she comes into contact with and for that, she will kick off as our 1st speaker this Sunday, November 18th at 3pm. She will share her journey and take us through a few of her favorite and most memorable experiences.
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Chris Thompson has started one of the most successful campaigns in helping young kids in Africa enjoy the benefits of sport. "Kickballs for Kids" founder, and Stonewall, Manitoba resident, took his efforts to bring sport to the poorest children of Africa over the last few years.
Kickballs for Kids has spent the last year doing extensive work in nations abroad, providing sports equipment to kids who might otherwise never have any.
But over the last few months, the organization has turned its efforts toward helping Canadian communities. Chris travelled to several Manitoban First Nations over two days in late September to deliver piles of sports equipment to schools in need of it.
Last year, Thompson was the recipient of a Pepsi "Refresh Everything" grant in the amount of $10,000. The money came with the stipulation that it had to be spent within Canada, leading Thompson to start brainstorming about how best to use it.
Chris Thompson always wanted to visit Africa.
In February of 2010, he fulfilled his lifelong dream and, in doing so, found the direction he'd been seeking in his life.
"I was raised by parents that taught me to be thankful for what I have and to give back whenever possible," Thompson wrote in an email from Kenya. "I have played sports since I could walk and it always helped me get through tough times." That's the shorthand for a nice guy from Stonewall who was blessed with plenty of opportunities but who had failed to find a career path or ambition. He just knew he wanted to do something, anything, memorable.
Then came Africa.
Thompson flew to Egypt, moved onto Tanzania and then to Kenya. The children of Africa touched his heart. He wrote a letter to his niece and nephew back in Canada:
"I told them about how the average wage here is one dollar per day, so the kids don't have any toys to play with," he says. "I have seen thousands of kids kicking around coconuts, water bottles, balls made out of plastic bags or rags, often barefoot.
His story is amazing, to read more on Chris, please visit this link: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/kicking-around-africa-90197947.html
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Please join us for an afternoon of inspiration, motivation and understanding that we can be the change we wish to see in the world.
Dont miss out on the opportunity ot listen to these two amazing people.
To register your team/ small group, please contact Suki.
*Donations will be acccepted at the door to help raise money for the two initiatives.