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Game Changers New York

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Game Changers New York,

Tomorrow, I will be speaking about an organization that is near and dear to my heart.  I have worked with Game Changers New York throughout my entire middle and high school experience and I cant wait to tell you all about this organization and the amazing philanthropic work it produces.  Last night, I had the pleasure of video chatting with Sara Blau, the founder and executive director of Game Changers New York as she gave me helpful insight and beneficial information regarding the organization.  Here is what Game Changers is all about:

Game Changers New York is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in which its mission is to empower disadvantaged youth around the world by providing them the opportunity to become athletes. To achieve this goal, they donate collected sports equipment to children in need locally and globally. GCNY utilizes a multi-step process to achieve its goals. The process is set in motion with collection of donated sports equipment. Donations stream in from collection bins placed at sports facilities, schools, synagogues, churches, and community centers all over Long Island, as well as from those who have committed their community service projects to GCNY. The next step in the process is to take inventory and organize of the equipment, which they do with the help of the 65+ volunteers. They then identify an organization that meets the criteria of a GCNY recipient organization and needs the donation of sports equipment. Once an organization is identified, the equipment is packaged, and either shipped, picked up from our warehouse or hand delivered. Lastly, GCNY hosts local fundraisers in order to finance our shipping expenses. Since the start of GCNY, this process has become increasingly streamlined, our distribution rate quadrupling since our founding.

This impact of the donated sports equipment is everlasting; the children learn to become a part of their larger community through their sports team.  They learn what it means to be apart of a team and the sensation of being an athlete.  Joe Karanja from The Nairobi Tennis Academy in Kenya, one of the partner organizations of GCNY, said, “with 100 orphans in this program, tennis has changed their lives. Tennis keeps them away from drugs, and allows them to focus on academic work. By excelling in school, the children are able to get tennis scholarships.” The skills that are learned through sports promote discipline and responsibility. Having access to the equipment is just the first step in this journey of success.

I have been fortunate to work with Game Changers for the past four years volunteering at events and overall promoting the organization.  The work that they do is truly magnificent and the youth leadership is passionate about their jobs.  I hope that you all enjoy my presentation tomorrow and end up voting in favor of Game Changers! Thank you!  

Sincerely,
Matthew Benak 
  


   

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 5, 2019 at 9:06 PM

    Matt,

    It's so great that you have an organization that you feel such a deep connection to. The work that Game Changers New York does is wonderful and seems to make a difference in the lives of the children it reaches. I completely am behind the mission of Game Changers New York, as I think sport and competition are an incredibly valuable and important part of childhood development. Sports have been in my life since I could walk and the lessons I've learned, qualities I've obtained, and things I've overcome in sports have made me the person I am today.

    That being said, during your Charity Pitch, it crossed my mind that this organization may have in its history faced push-back due to a philanthropic argument we discussed this semester: giving directly to those in need. Some may argue that instead of shipping equipment, a larger difference would be made in the lives of children if funding was directly provided to those in need. I don't know the answer to this question, but I think it is worth investigating whether a larger impact would be made in the villages that Game Changers New York connects with if the money raised by Game Changers was given directly to leaders in the area, as they likely know what the need best. Additionally, them buying their own sports equipment from their local area would stimulate their own economy as opposed to stimulating our own through the purchase shipment to other countries.

    While this is something to contemplate, I do think the work that Game Changers New York does is wonderful and I hope you are able to maintain the strong connection you have with the organization.

    -Stephanie

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