Looking For Good

 

I was perhaps a bit late to the game, but have a newfound respect for social media platforms.

They obviously don’t only connect people, but connect people to causes; in many cases, ones about which they would not otherwise have heard. In other words, social media levels the playing field.

In a recent scroll through my Facebook news feed, I came across another story of a person who took their worst possible tragedy and gave it meaning.

Brian Grohowski was a high school athlete. His son Jarad was equally passionate about football and his high school team. But Brian tragically lost this beloved only child in 2002.

To honor his son’s memory and as a testimony to the sport they loved, Brian launched the Jarad Grohowski Foundation. It supports free football camps for children in grades 9, 10, and 11. While this is a story that may not receive national attention, it is a worthy and heartfelt one.

The following is an excerpt from that Facebook post:

People, I can't express this more, or enough. We are (The Jarad Grohowski Foundation) putting on a FREE Football Camp June 24th 2017 at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium FREE!!!! I have sent out 36 letters to ALL 36 Head Coaches in our PIAA District 2 From Williamsport to Wallenpaupack to promote this Camp. I am asking if you have a child, or knows of a child who plays football and are in grades 9th, 10th, and 11th that live in our district to please take advantage of this camp.

The Camp will feature Current Seattle Seahawk's Offensive Guard Mark Glowinski and he will instruct techniques on line play. This camp will cover all positions including Punting and Field Goal Kicking along with snapping for these 2 Special Teams Play.

The Camp Applications are also available with each Head Coach I mailed information to and could be accessed on line on our Foundation Web Site www.jaradfoundation.org, just click on applications on the front page. Please pass this information along, I Thank You, Brian Grohowski

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If you would like to read more of our Looking for Good stories, please click here. If you would like us to share your Looking for Good story, please submit your contact information here. We will do our best to promote it on our website, social media accounts, and in our community.

To those whose life has been dealt the worst, have given life their best in return.

~ Coach Slow

 

 

In our Looking for Good stories, my intention is to highlight the good things done by great people.

Thus far, I’ve heard stories of impossibly challenging situations turned into extraordinary opportunities that champion important causes. These people have shone light on ways to overcome, to heal, to persevere.

Most of them toil in relative anonymity. Yet it is not fame they seek, but awareness.

The NFL, on the other hand, is more grandiose in style. They love self-promotion. No expense is spared on broadcast production value, on travel accommodations, on salaries.

The saving grace is that there are plenty of players, coaches, teams, and front office personnel who donate their time and money and celebrity to benefit causes. And in my opinion, that is the right thing to do. With fame, comes responsibility.

What I found particularly interesting was when the NFL broke its own insanely strict dress code to permit endorsement of charities. (When I say insanely strict, tremendous pains are taken before a game to ensure that every piece of gear worn by every player is compliant with their standards.)

The price? Let’s just say a uniform transgression is a fineable offense.

This is another reason the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats campaign is a welcome one. Last season, players were permitted to wear custom-designed footwear (on the field and in the game!), designed to publicize their personal causes. Here’s a link to a colorful photo gallery of these custom kicks.

Also, check out #mycausemycleats to support players' charitable causes and to read more about how post-game, these cleats are auctioned for charity.

I love the NFL for its adherence to rules, but even more when it bends them a little for something as important as giving back.

“If You Look for Good, You Will Find It.” | Coach Slow

Back in October, we officially embarked upon this mission to shine a spotlight on good people doing great things.

Since then, it has become more apparent every day that we have struck a deep well.  We’ve had opportunity to speak with those who have been dealt the worst, but have chosen to instead give their best in return. This has been an extraordinary journey.

We hope our friends, family, clients, and co-workers will continue to connect us with those who dedicate this precious life to help support the lives of others. If you have a story to share, please let us know.

Now I’d like to tell you a little bit about one of the World’s Greatest Dads.

We would easily need a six-part series to cover what Gary Mervis has accomplished, and to share the story of what inspired him to launch Camp Good Days.

In 1979, his nine-year-old daughter Teddi was diagnosed with cancer. Gary conducted an exhaustive search to find her treatment. He then realized:

It was not the craniotomy, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy that was causing Teddi the most pain, but it was the loneliness of being the only child in her school and neighborhood dealing with cancer.

Being in and out of the sterile environment of the hospital also added to her exclusion. There was nothing “normal” about Teddi’s life. Back in those years, there were no true provisions for camps to accommodate children with unique medical needs. In addition to that, the notoriously high costs of healthcare added a financial burden for most families; often making it impossible for them to get quality time away on any kind of vacation.

This singular need born and built on the experience of his daughter is the foundation of Camp Good Days. According to Gary:

It gives a child that special part of their life back that cancer steals from them.

Camp Good Days is a place where they make friends, find new courage, and get a little independence from the rigors of their treatments. This is a place where their condition is not the focus of their day; being a kid is.

Accredited by the American Camp Association, volunteers and community members support this not-for-profit organization. Accepting children from all over the world, campers have visited from over 30 countries and half the United States (some 46,000 children) to participate in the 5-day/4-night camp sessions. Children who have stayed at Camp Good Days are not only cancer patients, but those who are legally blind, deaf, in wheelchairs, with prosthetics, and with learning disabilities.

There are no costs to the families. Operating expenses are 100% covered by donations of time and money, tons of creative drives to raise financial support, and through the generosity of sponsorships.

As a coach at St. John Fischer College, Gary Mervis established the Courage Bowl in 2004. It has become their largest fundraising source. Each year, the St. John Fisher College Cardinals and The College at Brockport Golden Eagles square off in a Division III football game to benefit Camp Good Days.

Camp Good Days then selects honorary coaches and cheerleaders for both teams. These are Camp Good Days campers who have been diagnosed with cancer and would not normally be allowed to experience a real football game. The Camp Good Days Courage Bowl gives these campers that opportunity.

The event is concluded with the awarding of the Teddi Trophy in honor of Gary’s daughter. The trophy gets inscribed with the date of the game, final score, names of the six Honorary Coaches and the names of one player from each team who displays exceptional leadership and sportsmanship.

Camp Good Days has become, as Gary Mervis says, “A celebration of life by people who have learned to appreciate it most.”

Contact Camp Good Days

Donate to Camp Good Days

Volunteer Your Time

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Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges. All of the programs and services provided by Camp Good Days are offered free of charge for the participants, which is only possible through the generosity of so many individuals and organizations and the success of our many special fundraising events.

 

To those whose life has been dealt the worst, have given life their best in return.

~ Coach Slow

We sometimes meet people who make us stop in our tracks, and take a long look at the kind of life we want to lead. They are the ones who not only inspire by their contributions to a cause, they make you want to be a better person.

We were recently connected with Karla Malone, founder of VIP Warriors. We learned about her grassroots organization and the impact she has had on helping the brave, stay brave.

Perhaps the ability to dedicate your heart to such a cause comes from a place of empathy. That’s part of Karla’s story. From their website:

VIP warriors was founded by Karla Malone, a mom to a combat wounded Naval service member and an Air Force service-connected veteran. She is the daughter of a Korean War Navy Veteran, sister to a Navy and Army veteran.

Her passion started while volunteering at Bethesda Naval and Walter Reed hospitals beginning in 2006.

Her passion for engaging the wounded veteran community continues to change lives of wounded veterans and their families.

As a military hospital volunteer in DC, Karla saw the despondency in the eyes of young soldiers who had once been so vital and capable. Indestructible -- until severe injuries and loss of limbs stole dreams of the future.

How do you find the words to understand this kind of loss? How can worried families support something they can't truly understand?

These are soldiers literally struck down in their prime with no idea about how to navigate their new reality, literally and figuratively.

After Karla's first-hand experience of meeting these men and women and seeing that funding for veterans’ programs was not always allocated to support the veterans themselves, she was encouraged to start her own non-profit.

Karla's mission is to do whatever possible to help heal veterans and their families. She is putting the power of her own personal experiences and those of the people she has met behind one program that is changing lives. " 'For they gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she possessed - all she had to live on.' (Mark 12:44)."

Central Florida/Tampa Bay Athletic Organization

In this first year, what Karla has built is a community. A community of veterans who are damaged -- both inside and out. She shared with us stories of despair; soldiers feeling broken and abandoned. Their struggles so personal, yet so universal.

Karla and a small, but loyal band of volunteers now engage wounded veterans from all branches and eras of combat to train, regain confidence, and participate in athletic endurance events.

VIP Warriors is working to slowly rebuild what they have lost by integrating them back into society; a society that gives support, and provides them the means to support one another. Their victories belong to the team.

• The vets train during the week, cycling 4-5 days/week.
• There’s a Tuesday ride.
• Running on Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Swim training that is open to all.
• Then they participate in local events like annual rides and triathlons.

What they once saw as shortcomings, are now presented as opportunities…to try and to succeed. This group looks out for one another, they are protective, they are enthusiastic about individual progress, they are spreading the word that there are people who understand, who care.

After reluctantly getting involved, one vet said, “I now have a reason to live.”

This organization will fill your heart with the best of human nature. These soldiers demonstrate true profiles in courage. They show up. They put in the work. They are thriving. They want to help more vets.

What they need are:

Funds – You can donate on their Facebook page.

Volunteers – You can email Karla Malone to give of your time, at karla@vipwarriors.org.

Awareness – People to understand what it is like to be so fundamentally changed, and then have to learn how to find a way back. Visit VIPWarriors.org.

Understanding –  No vet is alone when he or she bands with brothers and sisters to take back what is theirs. Share this story with someone you know who feels alone.

Get involved and experience how truly brave Americans fight back.

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If you would like us to share your own Looking for Good story, please submit your contact information here.

“If you look for good, you will find it.” – Coach Slow

In our quest to find good people doing great things, the snowball effect has been extraordinary. The more inspiration we seek, the more we find. 

This story is a special one. It’s about a man who handled one of the worst possible personal tragedies by channeling it to help kids in need of parental guidance and support. 

Greg Strzegowski’s mission became a reality when his children, ages 10 and 11 at the time, lost their mom to cancer. Besides the overwhelming grief the family suffered, this heartbreak revealed the disadvantages that can be experienced by kids with single parents, as well as at risk kids who don’t have a parental “fan base”. He decided to give his time and money to mentor and finance some dreams.

Greg’s goal was more than to help kids get a chance to participate in sports and learn how to function as part of a team. The goals of his efforts were also to educate. He wanted them to learn to be “better learn to be “better basketball players, but also to be better citizens and good adults.”

With his Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) coaching, Greg would sponsor young people, but would also instill the honor of the sport and good sportsmanship itself.

“Be respectful to one another, to the other teams, to other players’ parents, and to the game’s officials.”

Social Media and Pizza Hut

He teaches them to have respect for themselves by being more respectful on social media – particularly because of its impact on their future academic and sporting pursuits. Colleges review the digital footprints left behind in their assessment of a school’s candidate. Social media can instead be a means by which kids can showcase the positive aspects of their personalities.

Greg’s efforts are not intended to hand over a free pass to enjoy extracurricular sports, but to build character so these young people can learn to become advocates for themselves. They are taught that having the chance to play sports is a result of keeping their grades up and understanding the importance of not bullying one another. The rewards are self-respect AND a chance to hone athletic skills.

Many of the unsupported and underprivileged kids he helps have never seen green grass or a Pizza Hut, or had sneakers bought for them. Which is part of why he does it – to see the smiles on their faces.

“Athletics will help keep a student in a structured program and will help keep them out of trouble. But also, it shows them the respect they deserve while demonstrating that they as people have value and can contribute to society.”

Creating Opportunities

Besides his personal donations that sponsor kids to play in the AAU, Greg is looking for people who can make contributions to the organization – even things as affordable and welcome as cases of water. If you can’t be a big money donor, it doesn’t matter – everything helps.

“I am passionate about helping kids who can’t afford to participate in school activities because of finances or illness. I am consistently on the lookout for all kinds of support; even bigger corporate sponsors who have the means to make the financial difference.”

• Today’s children need their self-esteem to be built in constructive ways. They need to be guided in the right direction so they don’t get into trouble because they can’t afford to play sports because no one is sponsoring them.
• If they get these kinds of chances, they may just learn to pay it forward to someone in need of their support one day.

Click here to learn more about AAU. To find out how you can donate your time/money to sponsor some children, you can email Greg Strzegowski at: gstrzeg1@maine.rr.com.

If you would like us to share your own Looking for Good story, please submit your contact information here.

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And of course, we’d love you to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

“If you look for good, you will find it.” – Coach Slow

We are inspired by the power of community, and even more inspired by how one person can be a catalyst to encourage others to take a stand and make a difference.

For us here at Coach Slow’s Xs, Os and Beyond, Coach Slow believes: "Have a Passion for Good and Do Good with a Passion."

Football is a little like life and life is a little like football. Obstacles present themselves, challenges must be navigated. Everyone has a game day to face.

No matter what you do for a living, or what road you travel, or what cause you’re fighting for…our goal is to provide a platform to allow anyone to communicate about their journey. Share your challenge or someone else’s.

When we shine light on the needs of others, we inspire the spirit of determination and rally the support of the community. If you look for good, you will find it.

We’d like to introduce you to Julie Ann Blazei, CEO of TRICOM.

As President and CEO of TRICOM, Julie Ann Blazei looks beyond her corporate role to instill a sense of community responsibility in each employee, and throughout the organization itself.

TRICOM is the 2016 recipient of the CARE Award, a prestigious acknowledgement by the American Staffing Association. It is bestowed upon companies in recognition of outstanding corporate social responsibility for managing their business processes to produce an overall positive effect on society.

Giving back is so ingrained in their company culture, Julie Ann said, “The entire team was shocked to learn we’d won it, but we found out that we received 100% marks for focus on community engagement and community service. We are very, very proud of that.”

Professionally, her goals are to help independent staffing company owners grow their businesses, and to develop her staff so they may personally achieve their ambitions.

Some of Julie Ann’s insight is gleaned from her years as a former athlete, which gives her the capacity to work with people on their strengths and weaknesses, with the focus on emphasizing strengths.

It was Julie Ann’s father who taught her, by his actions, the importance of making a difference in people’s lives and the fact that we are not in this world to take, but to give. She has not only passed this legacy on to her own children, but to every TRICOM employee.

Julie Ann said of potential hires: “It even starts when we interview a new candidate. They understand our commitment to community service and are told we have that expectation of them to become a part of giving back. And if they are uncomfortable with that, then this is not the company for them. Everyone must contribute in some way.”

Little Company, Big Difference

Over 21 years ago, the TRICOM team was challenged by the company’s former owner to get involved in what is now known as Briggs & Al's Run & Walk for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

TRICOM has not only been a sponsor for the last 20 years, but of the last 16, they have had the largest corporate team – one year totaling 900 participants. Truly a mean feat for a company with only 45 employees! Much larger companies draw a considerably smaller ratio of team members as compared.

When asked how TRICOM manages this level of participation, as well as being one of the largest monetary contributors, Julie Ann replied, “We actively devote time throughout the year to get a buy-in from people: friends, family, relatives. We consistently entreat the staff to recruit, recruit, recruit. We also, as a company, put our money where our mouth is by making per-person contributions and pledge matches, dollar for dollar up to $20,000. Since 1996, we have raised over $800,000. We know that if we don’t help today’s children, then we have no future.”

The altruism demonstrated by this firm is not restricted to this annual Run/Walk. Throughout the year, they donate time and heartfelt efforts to Penfield's Children Center for school supplies, the Hunger Task force for which they have collected donations of soups, salads, breads, desserts, and canned goods. They even had a peanut butter challenge with a goal of 250 jars. Instead, they racked up 360 jars – all stacked in the office’s lobby.

This one-of-a-kind team has had a wheelchair building competition to benefit veterans, served meals to families staying at Ronald McDonald House, and made countless other contributions to causes they hold dear like Cheers for Children’s.

As for the team here at CoachSlow.com, we jump to our feet and applaud these extraordinary people.

The little time commitment will give you so many benefits to both your staff and the organization’s culture by doing something for the community.

I don’t think enough companies that are smaller in size think they can make a significant enough contribution and that what they CAN contribute won’t really make a difference; but it does.

And you are not only touching somebody outside in the community, but somebody on your own staff who will reap benefits that you may not see right away, or may never see, you just have to believe.

We are trying to make a difference and help the people who need help the most.

~ Julie Ann Blazei

If you would like us to share your story, please submit your contact information here.

For interesting insights about the game of football from Coach Slow, former NFL Defensive Coordinator, sign-up for our newsletter!

And of course, we’d love you to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

This gift is one for which there is no way to show true gratitude, but to embrace life to the fullest. Here’s a letter from a family whose loved one received a life-saving transplant. They have treasured each day since. The hospital gave them the opportunity to write a letter to the donor’s family, and then delivered this anonymous letter on their behalf.

I have tried many times to write this letter of thanks to your family and have had no idea how to tell you how I feel. I can tell you that in all the years we waited for a kidney we knew exactly what getting that call would mean to another family. We knew we would be speeding to the hospital only because they would have gotten the worst phone call anyone could ever receive.

There is not a day goes by I do not pray for your family’s strength in the face of the loss you suffered just a year ago. Without the gift from the person you loved, the man I love would not be alive.

I almost lost my husband of eighteen years several times due to the incurable disease that caused his kidney failure. He has been through countless surgeries, many of them complicated. He was so sick during the years on dialysis and suffered multiple setbacks from kidney-related illnesses. He waited several years on the transplant list. These six years have been an indescribable nightmare, but he is miraculously sitting here next to me tonight watching the Mets game. My husband made it, but it was only because of this unbelievable gift of life.

My family grieves with yours for what you have endured. I am sorry it took so long to thank you. We want you to know we will always respect and honor your loved one by caring for this life-saving kidney. We will continue to pray for you every day.

Visit Donate Life America for more information on how to register as an organ donor or to join the living donor program.