Originally known for his speed on the ice, four-time Olympic gold medalist Johann Olav Koss is a former speed skater from Norway and is considered to be one of the best in the history of the sport. In his final year of speed skating, Koss won three gold medals at the 1994 Winter Olympics in his native Norway, winning all races in what were considered new world records at the time. Now, nearly 20 years after he hung up the skates for good, Koss is making a difference all around the world by educating and empowering children through Right To Play.

Right To Play empowers and educates children in the most disadvantaged places in the world. They use sport and play to educate and empower children and youth to overcome the effects of poverty, conflict and disease in disadvantaged communities.

“When I started it [Right To Play] a bit more than 10 years ago, I saw the mobilization at the Olympics and the incredible abilities to mobilize through sport and I tried to convince organizations to put programs into the field for kids because kids want to play, no matter what,” explained Koss, the CEO and President of Right To Play.

“I believe that playing is a fundamental basic for child development and when nobody wanted to do that I thought; ‘Wow, this isn’t right,’ so started doing it myself.”

One thing that Koss likes to do through Right To Play is talk to today’s athletes and give them an understanding of how important they really are to not only the children in their native country, but to kids all around the world. He usually takes advantage of this at the Olympics, but after being banned from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver because of a sponsorship conflict, Koss was not able to spread the message across to the athletes like he had done in the previous years.

“I was very sad about not being in the Olympic Village because I believe that one of our missions is to educate athletes on the power that they have, the ability they have to inspire and the role that they can play in the community to create better lives for the children,” stated Koss. “Normally we have that access, but we couldn’t get it because of the sponsorship controversy.”

Koss likes to teach the athletes that there is more to just living in the moment and being focused on their career. He believes that all athletes need to remember where they came from to get to where they are and who helped them along the way, and they have to plan for the future for when they retire.

“There’s always one sure thing for athletes and that is that they retire,” chuckled Koss.

“They need another relation with other work and need to get a better understanding of how they can give back, and that’s why I like what you guys [Pros Give Back] are doing. It’s fantastic because it can give you a purpose and it shows you how driven some of these people are and the goals that they set and how they pursue them and I think that it really helps a lot and is a tremendous way to find a purpose.”

Despite being banned from the Olympics due to the sponsorship controversy, Koss didn’t let that stop him from spreading his message to today’s youth and professional athletes. He has continued to work hard to make Right To Play the best that it can be, that way the kids get nothing but the best in return.

“I feel that our core methodology, the way that we are influencing and affecting behavior, is probably what I’m most proud of when it comes to Right To Play,” said the three-time Oscar Mathisen Award winner.

“Our ability to help a large scale for a low cost is making an incredible impact, based on what we are seeing, and that is obviously something else that I am proud of.”

Johann Olav Koss and Right To Play have plenty in store for 2013 and beyond. They will be hosting their 2nd annual Right To Play Ball at the Shangri-La Hotel Ballroom in Toronto, where Right To Play is headquartered, on Friday, May 10, 2013. Last year they raised over $80,000 in funds and are expected to raise even more this year.

“First of all, I’m extremely excited that we are continuing our success from the first year. We believe we will be raising more money this year, which will benefit more children,” mentioned Koss.

“Personally, I’m excited about meeting DJ Tony from The Ellen Show because he’s such a famous DJ and he’s coming in just for us. I’m very sure it will be a fun time and it will be the happening place in Toronto on Friday.”

As for Right To Play, they have recently established offices in Hong Kong and have some great plans for some further events in the US, UK and in Europe. They continue to build the quality around the kids and Koss believes that bigger things are on the way.

“This feels like another great year.”

More info on Right To Play, visit http://www.righttoplay.com

“I always thought of having a place to help the people and help the kids. Ever since I was 12-years-old I thought to myself, ‘I will read, I will grow and I will do something for the kids when I am older,’” said the Caracas, Venezuela native.

When she was young her parents instilled in her the importance of education. They taught her about the possibilities that education could bring her and that if she got one she would be able to do whatever she wanted in life because of it.

“The key thing in life is education. When you have education you have the greatest power in life and I teach the kids that if they have an education then they can do whatever they want,” said Duno. “Motivation is also important. I always tell the kids that we need them to get their education so they can do what they want when they are older.”

Duno goes to schools and companies to give motivational speeches and speaks to them about her life experiences and choices as part of her Milka Way program. She likes to give people an understanding of what they have to do to get to where they want to go and how important it is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.

“I think it’s really important for me to speak to the kids because they see a woman who made it in a profession that isn’t a typical place for woman and at the same time they see someone who has an education. I can inspire them to work for everything that they want in life and show them that anything can happen,” said Duno, the first woman in history to win a major international race in the US.

Duno started the Milka Way program in 2004. Her mission through this program is to inspire children and students to aim for the stars and achieve academic excellence. As someone who is a qualified Naval Engineer with four master’s degrees – in Organizational Development, Naval Architecture, Aquaculture and Maritime Business; while earning the last three degrees simultaneously – Milka believes strongly in the value and importance of a strong academic background.

She was named an Es El Momento (The Moment is Now) Ambassador, in which she will be able to highlight the importance of children having role models in their lives, encourage parents to teach by example and instill in their children the importance of education and how it is the key to their success.

“As an Ambassador, I want the opportunity to talk with the kids and parents because I can tell them about my history and how hard my parents were working for me and my brothers to have an education,” explained Duno.

“The most important thing for my parents was for me to study, study, study, and I really appreciate that now because if I never studied everything that I did, I would not be here right now. They always told me that education is the most important thing to have and I appreciate that.”

She speaks to thousands of people year after year, hoping to motivate them any way that she can. She tells them about everything that she has been through and what she has been able to accomplish throughout her life, and hopes that they will take it all in and do something successful with theirs. She teaches them the importance of helping out in the community and helping others around them when they are in need and how to live up to their full potential.

“I tell everyone that I want to be an athlete that gives something more to the community, that goes forward with everything. I think that the young people of today have to know how to prepare because it will open the doors for them in the future. They have to help their community, their family and the world around them because with the contribution that everyone puts forward it can help change the world for the better.”

For more information on Milka Duno and the Milka Way program, visit http://milkaduno.com/index.php

Aside from using her natural talent on the pool table to win various titles and awards, Hasson takes her ability to entertain and takes part in numerous billiard exhibitions for various charities and causes.

“I am a big charity person, I love doing billiard exhibitions for different people, and for different people’s charities. I’ve been a big advocate for children’s asthma causes and being that I suffer from asthma I just can’t imagine that in a child, I cant imagine the fear they may experience with it. I’ve done things for the Make-A-Wish Foundation; I’ve also worked with the Shriners Hospital and done different things at the Shriners Hospital for Children,” says Hasson.

Wowing whichever spectators she may be performing for, LoreeJon Hasson puts on a 45-minute show demonstrating various trick shots and challenges while involving members of the audience in her show.

“I like to incorporate people in that time, I have people shoot for me, I use them as props, we have a very good time. After that I’ll sign autographs and then I’ll do what I call challenge matches where I’ll play someone in the audience for fun. If it’s for charity they’ll put in a certain amount of money and all of that will go to charity,” she explained.

Hasson is also very involved with American soldiers, veterans and wounded warriors, as well as providing national aid such as relief funds that were set up in wake of the earthquakes that shook Japan a year ago.

“When the Japanese earthquakes happened I worked with the Red Cross Relief Fund. I had my store in Greensville, South Carolina, we took out a radio ad and teamed up with the Red Cross and did a big charity fund where a percentage of the sales went to the Japanese Relief Fund,” she elucidated.

Hasson credits her career in billiards to her parents who helped shape her game as a little girl, and the same can be said about her involvement and love for giving back to those less fortunate.

“I try to give back as much as I can because I know being where I am I’m very fortunate, even if we go through hard times its not nearly what we may see on TV or when we see a sick child or parents with a sick child. I’ve been doing this for about 20 years, since I was little. That’s just what my parents always taught me, to give back what you can and what you believe in,” said the 8-time World Champion.

In addition to the 3-10 benefit exhibitions she participates in per year, LoreeJon Hasson looks to continue putting smiles on people’s faces and hopes to one day have a charity of her own.

“When I do something for the veterans and the wounded warriors and I make them smile or teach them something, I get such a good feeling. When I help sick children I almost have to hold back tears. Being a mother of three myself, bringing a smile or laughter to their little faces, its just indescribable and that’s where it hits my heart the most. When I really think about it, helping people just always gives me a good feeling. I have a big heart so if something that I believe in asks me to do something I never hesitate to lend a hand,” she concluded.

To learn more about Shriners Hospitals for Children, visit http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/

To learn more about the Red Cross, visit http://www.ifrc.org/

To learn more about Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit http://worldwish.org/en/

American sprinter and 2008 Olympic gold medalist Mary Wineberg is a hero for reasons far beyond her gold medal and many successes on the track. She is a sincere, active role model in her community and gives countless hours to improving lives of so many children in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Involved in programs such as Girls on the Run, as well as assisting at the University of Cincinnati and constant visits to children’s hospitals, Mary Wineberg is a perfect example of a true Olympic hero, something she has always strived to be.

“When I was in college we had a lot of different volunteer opportunities that the student athletes could do, so I just made sure that I was always involved in that. Giving back to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and going to the different schools and speaking as a student and an athlete to all of the children just giving them hope of different things they can do when they get older and grow up,” Wineberg explained.

“Before I really got into my track career I used to be a teacher and I worked with inner city children. I thought that there was just a really large need for those particular individuals and children to just see a mentor and see someone doing something positive because those kids had a lot of issues in terms of the inner city with going to jail, stealing, selling drugs and things like that, so I’m a big advocate for children and really working with the children,” she said.

As she became fully involved with track and her career, Wineberg continued to serve children of the community and has been a constant supporter and familiar face with Girls on the Run where she teaches, motivates and encourages young girls to stay active and follow their dreams.

“I think I bring so much energy into the program that the girls just get super excited and I think that it helps that it’s a running event. The girls run 3 km so it’s a long distance race that they run. I’m a sprinter but I don’t mind cheering them on, it just brings tears to my eyes to see girls who have never done anything like this before and they train all year for this race and they are literally crying as they’re crossing the line and if I see someone that needs some motivation I’ll jump in the race and encourage them,” Mary elucidated.

“I’m a big advocate for Girls on the Run just to get girls to see that they can be empowered and that they can do something with themselves and that they don’t have to be ashamed of running and being out there trying to be like the boys,” she added.

Mary also helps out at her former school, the University of Cincinnati, and provides mentorship for the young athletes trying to juggle education, sports and their social lives. One way she teaches the young student athletes is having them attend the Girls on the Run events.

“I bring the students into the mix and I think it helps out too because these young girls at the event are able to see these young college girls really help out by painting faces, they help me with the stretches, we dance with the girls and really get them pumped up for the race, so I think it’s exciting for the girls I work with at UC to also give back and see that I’m giving back there and hopefully make it a tradition that gets passed on,” said Mary.

Alongside mentoring other young athletes and girls to be active within running, Mary also makes continual visits to children’s hospitals and runs after school programs once a month in which she speaks with the children about having goals and doing your best to reach your goals, regardless of what those around you think or say.

“It’s all about the youth actually writing goals down and trying to achieve them instead of just settling. I was always taught that you always go after whatever you want to do or be in life instead of listening to someone tell you what you can’t do,” Wineberg said.

“I’ll be doing some things at children’s hospital again and I enjoy doing that because you have these children who are sick with cancer or any other issues and they’re excited, they are happy, they have smiles on their faces and if they don’t, once they see the gold medal or see me then they start to smile and that really brings a tear to my eye,” explained Mary. “I could never complain about anything because if I were in their shoes what would I do? I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be helping and if I wasn’t and I was in their shoes I would want someone to do the same for me.”

Mary doesn’t plan on slowing down on the track or in the community and will continue to do so because in her words, “An Olympian isn’t just someone that walks around with a medal, it’s someone that actually does something in the community and can be looked up to.”

For more information on Mary Wineberg, visit http://marywineberg.com/

For more information on Girls on the Run, visit http://www.girlsontherun.org/

Fighters who at one time made promoters thousands of dollars and gained the love and respect of many fans more than likely end up alone, homeless and for the most part left with severe mental damage due to countless blows to the head they took during their career. It is a sad, yet very real concept that has been an issue dating back to the late Joe Louis, arguably one of boxing’s most important figures who went to his grave with not a penny to his name. When a fighter retires from the sport of boxing they are left with no benefits or health care and the world of professional boxing wants nothing to do with the matter, ultimately leaving it up to the fighters themselves to fight for their rights. Former middleweight contender, Alex Ramos, stepped up to the challenge in 1998 after living through the hell most fighters face after they step out of the ring as he started the Retired Boxer’s Foundation in hopes to raise awareness and funds in support of those like himself.

“Boxing is a sport that’s been around a long time and fighters don’t get help when their career is over. There’s no pension plan or medical benefit and as a result a lot of fighters wind up being homeless or sometimes some of them have something that’s called pugilistic dementia, which is the medical term for being punch drunk,” Ramos explained.  “Most of the fighters, when they leave the sport, wind up with a little bit of damage and you want to be able to take care of these guys and that’s why I came up with this Foundation.”

“I was homeless and there are many fighters that end up penniless. You hear about boxers having problems after their careers are over, that’s why you wind up hearing about these fighters having comebacks or things like that and it’s sad, it really is,” said the Manhattan, New York native.  “That’s how all of this came about and it’s hard to get help from the sport of boxing, but I keep trying and trying and it’s going to work. We work hard and that’s how we have to do it, it’s a word of mouth. We want to let the world know and understand what’s going on,” elucidated Ramos.

While living on the streets, Alex received help from his now executive director, Jacquie Richardson, whom alongside her husband took Ramos in and provided assistance and the proper requirement to get him back on his feet. Since its inception in 1998, the Retired Boxer’s Foundation has received generous donations from the likes of movie producer Ron Shelton to American Political consultant James Carville and most recently a $20,000 donation from the late Joe Frazier’s estate. Frazier passed away in November of 2011 and was a firm believer in Ramos’ and the Foundation’s ultimate goal.

“That’s someone that believed in what we are doing, it’s a gift from an angel. I thank God that he believed in us. I have known Joe Frazier for a long time. I knew him during my career as well but it’s wonderful what he did,” said the Bronx Bomber.

Over the course of its 14 years of establishment, the Retired Boxer’s Foundation has gained representatives all around the world. With a universal medical advisory board, the Foundation provides top neurologists and neurosurgeons in order to provide former fighters with the aid they need. From doctors in Whales and England to those in California and Washington, every fighter is important and is eligible for assistance.

Aside from the financial woes many former fighters face, the Retired Boxer’s Foundation also provides assistance in dealing with the transition from the ring into retirement and the acceptance of passing ones prime.

“Boxing has been around a long time but as you know when your career is over, your career is over. They forget about you, they drop you like a hot cake, it’s really the truth,” Alex explained. “I was Shelly Finkel’s first fighter, I was a star fighter, I was with the cream of the crop, I was on TV and I was a star at one point. All I had to do was win fights and that’s how it is and next thing you know you lose a fight and things change,” he continued. “I’ve been around this boxing game since 1972; I’ve been around this game a long time.”

The concept of an establishment such as the Retired Boxer’s Foundation is not by any means a new idea as former fighter Jack Dempsey first conceived it in 1960. However, nothing was done at the time, leaving fighters in the situation they are in now.

“In 1960, Jack Dempsey said they should do something in the world of boxing like some type of organized deal similar to what I’m talking about today,” said Ramos. “That was in 1960 and here we are 2012 and we’re still talking about it. I’m not going to my grave talking about what they should’ve, could’ve, would’ve done, I’m going to do something about it and I’m doing the best I can.”

“We help fighters the best we can which is SSI which is social security,” he said. “It’s the best we can do. I live on SSI and I’m happy. I live on a month to month basis but I’m happy. It’s a lot different from how I used to live but it gets me by.”

Today Alex Ramos lives day-to-day, month-to-month doing the best he can to help out his fellow co-workers from all parts of the world. His tremendous love for boxing keeps the 51-year-old former middleweight positive that one day his hard work and the hard work of everyone involved with the Foundation will pay off.

“We help out current fighters and retired fighters, the money doesn’t go to waste, no one earns a salary.  We do work here and that’s how it works and we need more people to understand that and we’re going to continue to work like that and we’re going to continue to do our thing.”

To learn more about Alex Ramos and the Retired Boxer’s Foundation, visit www.retiredboxers.org

For every path taken in life there was a decision made to pave that path. Drug and alcohol addictions are serious problems that come with serious consequences that can be avoided with the proper knowledge and awareness. Former World Wrestling Entertainment Intercontinental Champion Marc Mero experienced the lifestyle brought on by professional wrestling first hand and survived to share his wisdom to change the lives of others for the better.  Through Champion of Choices, Marc Mero educates hundreds of youth on the importance of making the right decisions, a life mission which was brought on by the tragic passing of an old friend.

“One of the wrestlers was a good friend of mine who I wrestled against many times, his name was Chris Benoit and unfortunately he took his own life and took the life of his wife and his little boy. When that happened it made me realize that there are two types of people; the people who say there needs to be something done and the people that actually go out and do something,” Marc explained.

“I got so sick of saying something needs to be done, I wanted to do something because I’ve lost way too many friends. I’ve lost over 30 friends to drug overdoses and suicide and the list goes on and on. I wanted to make a difference so I started a program where I go to schools and speak at schools. I’ve done over 400 now about setting goals, taking actions towards your goals, making the right choices in your life, suicide prevention and anti-bullying,” Mero elucidated.

Growing up in a financially unstable broken home initially inspired Marc to become a professional athlete swarmed in all the perks of the high life, a dream many young boys have for themselves.

“I grew up very poor in a single family home because my parents got divorced when I was eight. My mom worked two jobs and I always had big dreams. I always wanted to be a professional athlete, I wanted to have a black Cadillac and a speedboat and be rich and famous,” explained the Buffalo, New York native. “I wrote those dreams down when I was 10-years old and because I wrote them down I took action towards them and those dreams came true. Along the way however I made some really bad choices, especially when I got into professional wrestling and got involved in everything from drugs and alcohol, uppers and downers, the pain medication, everything involved with professional wrestling. I became a product of that,” admits Mero.

“Eventually I lost my marriage of 10 years, most of my friends and my family. My little brother and sister died at 21, my mother died at 58 and my dad died while I was holding him in my arms so I pretty much lost everything,” continued Mero. “It was nine years ago on Christmas Day where I decided that would be it. I sat at a pier in Cocoa Beach, Florida and just watched the waves role in and out and contemplated the end of my life. It wasn’t long after that I grabbed my hand gun, went into the shower and was going to end my life, but it was at that moment that I got this vision in my head of what hell would be like and I wanted to live. I dropped the gun, got on my knees and asked God into my life,” recounted Mero. “My life has been absolutely amazing since that day. I always say the tallest I ever stood was when I was on my knees. It’s been an incredible journey and because of that it has helped and saved so many lives.”

Unlike Major League Baseball or the NHL, World Wrestling Entertainment doesn’t run on an 82-game season with an offseason. Instead it hosts shows almost every night, putting the wrestlers’ bodies through serious impact without any off days. After the Super Bowl, NFL players have a few months to recuperate and to prepare for the following season. The night after WrestleMania, which is considered the Super Bowl of wrestling, they are back in the ring putting their bodies at risk once again.

“If your name is on that marquee you have to perform, you cant just say your arm hurts, you have to be a part of the show so you start taking pain medication so your arm will not hurt and then you start doing it more and more and more. There’s also the enticement of the going out and the party life, the rock star atmosphere, the intoxication of the fans and the night life,” Mero explained. “It’s also the responsibility of the person saying ‘No I’m not going to do that’ but it sucked so many of us in. I’m just so thankful and blessed that I’m still here today that I can actually speak about it and help other people that may be a part of that, and if they are tell them the downside to their choices.”

By inspiring and connecting with those he speaks with, Mero uses his honesty and willingness to share his story to gain trust in those who may be faced with similar decisions or fears. Champion of Choices expresses the importance of happiness and love in our lives, even when times may be difficult.

“When I talk to a lot of students who are suicidal and cut themselves or get bullied at school, they feel no hope. When they hear my story they realize there is hope and that they can have a better life and through their choices they can change a lot of things because happiness is a choice. I always tell people your friends are like an elevator, they either take you up or down. You show me your friends I will show you your future, it’s so important who we surround ourselves with.”

Marc Mero is constantly busy speaking and informing at various schools, churches and corporate events. As a youth, the notion of having a choice in the way we live our lives may seem unrealistic, but with people like Marc educating them with a positive meaningful message, it provides students with the chance to make their life just a little better than it may be.

To learn more about Marc and Champion of Choices, visit www.championofchoices.org

In 1996 at the age of 25, Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. To make matters even worse, the tumor spread to other vital organs such as his brain and lungs. Following the news of his cancer, he immediately underwent treatment including brain and testicular surgery, along side extensive chemotherapy. With the initial prognosis on his state being very poor, Armstrong showed just how strong of a fighter he was by not only overcoming the cancer and the extensive wear and tear it had on his body, but he returned to competitive cycling. Nearly a year after his return to cycling, Lance began his dominance over the Tour De France as he won seven straight times from 1999 until 2005, when he announced his initial retirement from the sport.

Although his ability to comeback after facing such an experience is phenomenal in its own right, what is even more heroic is the fact that during his treatment for cancer he lent his hand to others battling the same disease and founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation was to assist and support the millions of people who are faced with cancer in all of its shapes and forms.

Since its inception in 1997, the Lance Armstrong Foundation has aimed to empower and inspire cancer patients and their families by providing practical information and the proper tools for patients through public health care and in-depth research. Through various charity events and causes such as the Livestrong campaign, the Foundation has raised over $325 million from sales of the infamous yellow Livestrong bracelets and events such as the Livestrong Challenge. It has also become one of the Top 10 cancer funding charities in the United States, and a significant symbol in pop culture.

In 2008, Lance Armstrong announced that he personally would donate a total of $5 million over a 5-year span, in turn putting his money where his mouth is. He was also a part of a group consisting of 11 other high profiled athletes that started the Athletes for Hope charity. The group of 12 consisted of athletes such as Muhammad Ali, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk and Mario Lemieux to name a few. Athletes for Hope helps connect professional athletes with various charitable causes and inspires others to help and support their communities.

In August 2009, Armstrong participated and headlined the first charity ride, Pelotonia, which took place in Columbus, Ohio. The ride was over 100 miles and featured a large group of cyclists, whom were personally addressed by Armstrong himself before the two-day venture. Like everything else Lance takes part in, the ride eventually raised millions of dollars towards further cancer research.

Lance Armstrong has inspired millions of people, cancer survivors or not, to become pro active in raising money and awareness for cancer research and treatment. Through causes such as the Livestrong bracelets, he has helped bring the fight into the mainstream and has brought hope to millions. Every person that takes part in his Foundation’s events and causes have matched his personal hope and goals. The fight is far from over, but with the continuing support of various communities and with role models like Lance Armstrong, the fight will hopefully one day come to an end.

For more information on Lance Armstrong and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, visit www.livestrong.org

“Racing For Cancer is something that’s extremely important to me, it started with me and a friend of the team. We got together and formed Racing For Cancer as my mom was struggling with her fight against colon cancer,” explained Ryan. “She ultimately lost that fight and it really inspired us to do a lot in the fight against cancer and for the cancer community and we’ve done a lot for that at the racetrack, it’s huge,” he added.

The former Barber Dodge Pro Series Rookie of the Year is not alone in his fight, with the tight knit Indy Car family behind him, proceeds and awareness have sky rocketed over the past year.

“The other Indy Car drivers really help a lot, whenever we need them they jump in no problem. The Indy Car guys are really great like that so you know guys like Tony Kanaan and my teammates Marco Andretti and Mike Conway will always help out,” says Ryan. “It’s been received very well and we’ve certainly had a lot of cooperation from people for that matter to help us raise money. This year we’ve raised almost $200,000 and our goal is to get to $300,000.”

Since losing his mother, Hunter-Reay has dedicated his life and passion of racing to cancer research and development. His Indy Car number “28” was chosen to represent the 28 million people fighting the same battle his mother had lost, and he continues to take steps forward as he was named a LIVESTRONG Global Envoy in April 2011, to represent the entire motorsports community. By putting on big events at major Indy races, Ryan has encouraged numerous drivers and those in the audience to do what they can to make a difference.

Hunter-Reay’s relationship with LIVESTRONG is something that he hopes and anticipates will grow stronger as time passes, while continuing to use his place in Indy as a platform for awareness.

“They really have the outreach that we’re looking for to gain momentum and raise funds. LIVESTRONG is the more powerful charity and that’s the one we’re concentrating on as well,” said the 2008 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. “It can go many different ways, I just want to do whatever I can while I’m in the position that I’m in driving race cars, driving in the Indy 500. It’s the world’s single-day biggest sporting event so we have to use that to really make a difference and make the difference against fighting cancer,” he added.

There is no denying the fact that Racing for Cancer has already made a positive and effective impact on the development in research for cancer and it will continue to be a leader lap after lap until the race can finally come to an end.

“I have a passion because of what I’ve lived through with my mother. My mom died really young, she still had half her life to live. The worst part about cancer is the way it kills you. It’s horrible; I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. I really have a passion for it. I’m still almost angry about it and that really burns that fire to make a difference. Every person has a cancer story and we have to change that,” concluded Hunter-Reay.

To learn more about Racing for Cancer or to join the fight, visit www.racingforcancer.org

The event will have plenty of activities to keep the entire family entertained with games such as; Potty Putting, Toilet Paper Bowling, Plunger Toss and the Toilet Paper Toss. There will also be $5 crafts for sale such as; Potty Portraits, Paint Your Toilet Tile, Dress Your Plunger and Safari Soap Making.  Also, the event will host a silent auction, as well as a Kenyan “Kid Art” Sale, a “Sitting Pretty” Exhibit and will have an assortment of Kenyan food samples for everyone to taste.

“I hope the kids have a lot of fun, that’s what the whole Potty Party is geared around, it’s about bringing the entire family together, while entertaining the kids and educating them,” said Jason Pottinger, who helps out with Connecting Countries whenever he can. “The kids will be having fun and learning and they wont even know that they’re learning because they’re having so much fun,” added the Argos linebacker.

Connecting Countries is a Hamilton-based organization that plans on raising funds at this year’s Potty Party in order to build and maintain clean and safe latrines in Kenyan schools because without them, Kenyan schools are in danger of closing. Their program doesn’t just help out Kenyan children; they also help out Canadian children. Through their Penpal Program, Connecting Countries helps teach both Kenyan and Canadian children about life for their peers in a different part of the world, while allowing them to make personal connections with them and showing them that they can make a difference in each others lives.

“Connecting Countries is one of those things that you can support no matter where you are. I will forever pledge my support to help them out no matter where I am,” stated Pottinger.

They are hoping to spread the word of both their charity and World Toilet Day, but they are also trying to raise awareness of the situation that is going on in Kenya, which they are doing their best to fix one day at a time.

“You want to raise as much money as possible. Last year was our first year and we did about $7,500, so our goal this year is to obviously beat that mark because you want to increase every year to get closer to your goal,” concluded Pottinger.

To learn more about Connecting Countries Adopt-a-School, visit http://connectingcountries.net/

George Foreman was born to JD and Nancy Foreman in the town of Marshall, Texas, in January of 1949. By the age of 15, George found himself as a street brawler in the streets of Houston’s 5^th Ward where he lived off cheap bottles of wine and seemed to have no bright future ahead. His luck and outlook seemed to change after catching an athletic hero on TV promoting Lynden Johnson’s Job Corps program which allowed individuals like Foreman to have a second chance at a successful future. Wasting no time to change his luck, George was on his way to California where he met Program Councilor and boxing coach, Doc Broaddus, who motivated Foreman to become a fighter by using the ring as his outlet appose to his ways as a street brawler.

Soon after he began training, Foreman built an impressive amateur record which became publicly noticed during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City where the Texas native won a gold medal in what was only his 25^th amateur fight. One year later, George made his transition into a professional and within two years became a Number 1 contender; as he was the top ranked challenger.  By 1972, George Foreman had an impressive 37-0 record with a majority of his wins coming by knockout.

On January 22^nd, 1973, Foreman got his first title shot taking on then-champion, Joe Frazier, in Kingston, Jamaica. Going into the fight Frazier was heavily favored, but the heavy hitting challenger knocked out the champ in the second round, sending him to the canvas and winning the Heavyweight Title for the first time in his career. Foreman went on to successfully defend his title twice before losing it in one of the most memorable fights in boxing history when he took on Muhammad Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle; which took place in Kinshasa, Zaire.

Many in the boxing world speculated that the loss to Ali had affected Foreman and had maybe put an end to his short career as he took all of 1975 off from the sport until his return in 1976. After a string of victories, Foreman would again lose, this time to Jimmy Young in 1977, which would be his last fight for an entire decade.

Following his loss to Jimmy Young, Foreman states that he had a religious experience in his dressing room. This experience is what led to his then-retirement from the sport as he followed his faith and was ordained a Minister; preaching in his hometown of Houston, Texas. After years of preaching, George founded the George Foreman Youth and Community Center and opened its doors in 1984. The center was created and funded through money Foreman had saved throughout his retirement and his earnings from his boxing career.

The intentions of the Youth Center would be to provide troubled unguided youth the chance to be a part of a larger family and find guidance and positivity through their peers and counselors at the center; much like Foreman did at the age of 15. Heavily influenced by the Job Corps, the George Foreman Youth and Community Center gave children the choice of joining and was in no way religious based or biased. Through various supportive programs and initiatives, George’s Youth Center allowed the opportunity for new exposure and a broad outlook on what can be accomplished with hard work and determination.

Though the Youth Center was assisting numerous children and young adults, funds began to run dry by 1987 because as documented, Foreman had been funding the project through his own financial estate. Showing hints of the true fighter he was, George was not willing to look or ask for assistance and elected to continue to fund his project in efforts to stay operational. With support and love from those within the Youth Center, Foreman returned to the ring in 1987 at the age of 38.

With many high risks involved with his comeback, Foreman seemed to pick up where he left off 10 years prior as he re-entered the boxing world with a string of victories and a new positive image. Foreman would gain the right to a title shot in 1991, but lost to Evander Holyfield in a bout that not many critics gave Foreman a chance to win. However, George would again have a shot at the title he lost to Muhammad Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire, as he fought Michael Moorer for the Heavyweight Title. At age 45, Foreman became the oldest fighter to ever win the Heavyweight Title, winning it 20 years after his loss to Ali.

Foreman would continue to fight and financially support his Youth Center, not only through his financial gains from boxing, but with the additions of his outside business ventures such as the George Foreman Grill. George would fight for the last time at age 48, in a loss to Shannon Briggs, bringing an end to a career that was spawned by a simple commercial seen by a young George Foreman 31 years prior. He was given a second chance to create a bright future for himself, something he continues to give today’s troubled and unguided youth.

To learn more about George Foreman and the Youth and Community Center, visit: http://www.georgeforeman.com/youthcenter.php

“Everybody wants to be somebody. The thing you have to do is give them confidence they can. You have to give a kid a dream.”

- George Foreman