Using Sport For Social Change

6 years in a row, Using Sport For Social Change has entertained hundreds of kids with their free sports field day on St. John, USVI in October called "Just Play". June 9th, will mark the 6th anniversary for USFSC, and October 13th will be the 6th annual "Just Play" day. We are super excited that we have such wonderful support from the USVI community.

I wanted to share with you, our USFSC supporters, a quick snapshot of what it actually takes to put this event on. Without amazing people like you and our sponsors, this event could have never taken place, much less, lasted 5 years!

Incredibly, these events are worth over $60,000.00 each. The donations of product from our sponsors cover over $54,000.00. This leaves just over $6,500.00 of expenses left to cover. Every year we count on cash donations to cover these expenses which include T-shirts, water bottles, trophies and medals, shipping, Gatorade, event entertainment, event insurance, facility rental and other hard costs associated with putting this event on.

Dean Doeling with Nike is a huge fan of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. On one of his trips to St. John, he noticed that about 7 kids were all playing with a (one) flat, worn out soccer ball and having the best time!.

Right then he had two thoughts:

1) How great it is that these kids can have so much fun kicking a worn out, flat soccer ball!

2) Hey wait...is this the only soccer ball that they had?  Where were the others?

It put an idea into his head that since he works at Nike, he could use Nike as a resource to help the kids achieve some athletic goals, thereby giving them courage and enough confidence to achieve other lifetime goals. His intention is to develop and assist with sports and fitness programs within local schools and the community. This plan will involve local schools, businesses, charitable organizations, Nike vendors and of course, Nike.

Please join this worthy initiave and show your support! Thanks!!