I think it’s wonderful when people do things in honor of others, or to help raise funds and awareness for a cause.
When I was a child my cousin’s church’s Youth Group wanted to raise money for a local charity. They came up with the idea of a “Rock-a-Thon” where members of the Youth Group would rock in rocking chairs for as long as possible. I volunteered to rock with them too. People in the community made pledges to pay the participants a certain amount of money for every hour they rocked.
I don’t remember specifically but I believe we all rocked for around 24 hours. I remember taking turns with my cousin rocking each other so the other could take a quick nap (meaning I would rock my chair and push my cousin’s chair back and forth at the same time). It was tiring, but a lot of fun. Plus it make us feel great inside knowing that the funds we raised were going to help others.
It’s great to hear about children and teens making a difference. Sadly many young people are more concerned about updating their Facebook status and texting for hours on end. I wish more children and teens would commit to making a difference, even if it was just for one day.
Did you hear about Will Thomas? At just 12 years old he helped to make a difference and found a way to honor fallen heroes. His story will appear in the July issue of Sports Illustrated Kids.
Here is a little more information about Will and his charity, Operation Hawkeye.
Sports Illustrated Kids’ July issue features inspiring stories of athletes doing amazing things off the field. This is an issue every mom will want their kid to read! Available now through ITunes, Amazon Apps, Google Play or Nook Apps stores. Featured on the cover is First Lady Michelle Obama who discusses her Let’s Move! Active Schools push to get kids moving throughout the academic day.
Also featured is 14-year-old Will Thomas, founder of Operation Hawkeye, a mission that raises support for U.S. Special Operation Forces and military families. Inspired by a tragic military event in the summer of 2011, the then 12-year-old Thomas committed himself to shoot 17,000 baskets in his driveway as a way to privately honor our fallen heroes. As others in the community learned of Will’s challenge they began pledging money for every basket made. The feat took him nearly 60 hours to complete and began a mission whose goal in 2013 is to raise over $300,000 for military forces and their families. Watch his inspiring story at www.Facebook.com/SIKids and learn how one kid is making a difference one basket at a time.
Sports Illustrated Kids believes Will is an example of how even kids can change their communities and is inviting others across the country to join Will in his next challenge. The E17 Free Throw Challenge is a 60-day basketball event where kids all over the country will attempt 1,700 (individual) or 17,000 (team) basketball free throws in an effort to raise money and awareness for military families. For more information or to participate, individuals or teams can register and pledge funds at the Operation Hawkeye E17 site, http://www.OpHawkeye.com/E17. All participants will receive recognition from the U.S. Special Operations Command as well as an Operation Hawkeye bracelet. The individual or team that raises the highest donation will receive further recognition and a special prize.
As a mom I would love for my children to be inspired by Will’s story. I am going to get them a copy of July’s Sports Illustrated Kids so that they can read about Will and hopefully be inspired to do something to help a cause they are passionate about.
My kids did have an idea a few years ago to make toys for cats and dogs and donate them to the local animal shelter. They even drew up plans on what types of toys they could make and what supplies they would need. Sadly they lost momentum after about a week. Maybe Will’s story will give them the motivation to pick up where they left off, or come up with another idea.
Sports Illustrated Kids is a magazine for both boys and girls who love sports. Each month the magazine features easy to read stories about star athletes, humor, comics, action photos and helpful tips from the pros. They magazine also comes with a pull out two sided poster and sports cards. The magazine even won the highest honors from the Association of Educational Publishers as well as the Parent’s Choice Award.
For more information about Sports Illustrated Kids, or to purchase a subscription, visit www.sikids.com/subscribe.
Please also take a moment to visit the Sports Illustrated Kids Facebook page to watch a special video about Will and Operation Hawkeye. SI Kids would also love for you share how you and your family, or even a member of your community, are helping to give back and build a sense of community this summer.
Kimberly
*I am participating in a sponsored blog ambassador program from Sport Illustrated Kids. As a part of this program I will receive compensation for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to SI Kids. All opinions expressed are my own unless otherwise noted.
Robin Wilson says
That is one wonderful young man! I just love the story and hope I remember to pick up a copy myself. When my son was growing up, SI for Kids was one magazine that I did not mind paying for him to have. It always has the greatest stories! Thanks for sharing your and his stories!
Will Thomas says
Ma’am,
Thanks so much for sharing the story of Operation Hawkeye, and especially the heroes it honors. I hope you and your family, and your readers and followers, will join the mission team. We can’t begin to do enough, but we can all show our gratitude.
Yours,
Will