Jen Welter is a linebacker for the Dallas Diamonds of the Women’s Football Alliance, a women’s professional football league in the United States. She has been playing professional football for over 10 years and throughout her journey has been a vocal advocate for the importance of positive female role models within society and the overall benefit of self-confidence.

“I don’t have any kids but if I had a daughter I’d be mortified at what they see in the media as far as the women that are depicted on TV and stuff. Here are the Kardashians, the Basketball Wives, the Real Housewives and all of those are highlighting women as a by-product of what somebody else has done,” Welter stated. “I want girls to know that they can grow up and do whatever it is they want to do and to live their lives with passion, drive, dream and desire and not to just rely on their life being an outcome of who they marry or who their father is,” she continued.”I want girls to know that athletics is a venue where they can excel, especially in football. I think it’s a beautiful sport for women to see other women playing.”

Being self-confident is a trait that Jen Welter attributes through her love for football. Confirming self-trust leads to motivation and momentum for every professional athlete aspiring to reach their goals and it is something Welter conveys to the numerous young females she speaks with.

“It’s so hard for me to see how many women are hard on themselves in terms of physical appearance. Sports are something that can make you feel good. It’s about saying I don’t train to get attention from a guy I train to be good at my sport and there’s a very big difference when you do it for yourself,” explained the Boston College graduate. “For most women, if they have worked out it’s usually been in the form of trying to make themselves into something that’s appealing for somebody else which means that your self-confidence is coming from an external source and you can’t control that,” she added. “But if your confidence is in you, what you do and who you are then that’s something that’s always under your control and it’s a big thing for females and I don’t think that message gets conveyed to them enough.”

Combining sports and athletics with the messages behind her words, Jen Welter has worked to tackle various issues from teen pregnancy to gang relation or drug use. By introducing and excelling teens interest in not only sport, but the gratification and enjoyment of self health care whether it be physically or physiological, Welter stresses the importance of focus and drive.

“Kids coming up through high school need to realize that in order to make your dreams come true you need to be willing to make some sacrifices because you’re not going out partying all the time like your friends are, you’re choosing to dedicate your time to the pursuit of your dream,” she elucidated.

“You have to be willing to put some of those selfish gratifications aside in order to pursue your career. For me, people ask me why I don’t have kids but to me as an athlete that’s a game changer. If I have kids it will change the course of my athletic career. ‘Am I ready to hang up my cleats to have kids?’ It’s a decision I don’t take lightly,” clarified Welter.

It is no secret that women’s professional football is hidden in the shadows of the NFL or other various men’s leagues, including the college and high school levels. There are no flashy cash rewards or nice cars and houses like many of us see on TV in the news and on the Internet. The players that make up the Women’s Football Alliance play for the love of the game. There is no other incentive or hidden agenda. As one of the top ranked players in the world, Welter says she still faces many obstacles in regards to her status in the entire world of football.

“I’ve coached at men’s football clinics, but you have to prove yourself on many levels. As a female I have to prove myself even though I’ve played as much as I have. I’ve had guys tell me that I can’t hit or tackle, guys who have never played, it’s insulting in a way but sometimes you just have to be better,” she said.

In a sport dominated by men, Jen Welter has stepped up and become a positive voice for all woman, sports oriented or not. She has spent countless hours dedicated to the sport and causes she loves. Her inspiration reaches more than just the girls she motivates as she tells all youth to stand up for what they believe in. She joins a list of heroes encouraging youth to go against the grain and be who they desire to be, regardless of what or whom they see around them.

For more information on Jen Welter or the Dallas Diamonds, visit www.jenwelter.com

Roughly 10 years ago, Ron Ellis started up the Ron Ellis Team Canada Foundation; a non-profit organization that initially started to raise funds for a cancer research project that Ron Ellis was involved in. From there, they started helping out many different charities that were involved with children and life threatening diseases and for the last six years they have been highly involved with charities involved with youth.

“One of the first groups we got involved with for a long-term arrangement was Camp Oochigeas; a summer camp for kids with cancer that we helped out for three years and were able to raise about $100,000 which was donated to them,” said Ron Ellis.

Although he only worked with them for three years, Camp Oochigeas found their own spot in Ellis’ heart.

“Assisting Camp Oochigeas was certainly very touching. I remember my directors and I went up to the camp in Muskoka and we spent the day with the kids and it was just such an eventful day for all of them,” explained the four-time All-Star. “We provided lunch for the kids courtesy of Boston Pizza and they put together a little song for me and painted the number 6 on their backs, it was a very emotional day and that one definitely sticks out to me,” he described.

After working with Camp Oochigeas, Ellis understood how important it was to help the children out. From there he went on to work with the Touchstone Youth Centre, a 32-bed emergency shelter for 16 to 24-year-old homeless and at-risk youth. In addition to providing safe shelter, they address many issues facing homeless youth by offering an employment program, housing help, a drop-in centre and an outreach worker. They have a new three-year program with the Touchstone Youth Centre, assisting them with the funds that are needed to keep the place up and running.

“We feel were making more of an impact there because there is such a need. They have a halfway house in Richmond Hill for the young people who go through their program and are ready to go back into the world. They learn how to cook and take care of things there before they go off to find their own place to live and find a job,” stated the 1967 Stanley Cup champion.

As someone who understands the importance of support in life, Ron Ellis has faced and conquered his own struggles in life that have made him the man he is today. He understands how much these kids need someone to have their backs and someone to show their constant support for the good that they accomplish so they make it a consistent thing.

“When I look at my own life I realize how fortunate I was to have support from parents, friends and even school teachers, and the support was very important in making me a professional athlete,” explicated Ellis. “These kids just need the proper support and direction to give them the opportunity to think about where they can go next in life,” he would add.

Even though his Foundation wasn’t up and running until ten years ago, Ellis has been active throughout the community since his rookie season with the Maple Leafs during the 1964-65 season.

“I remember I took a picture in my first year with a little girl from the Easter Seals campaign who was the Child of the Year and it was put in the Leafs calender that they used to publish,” recounted the member of Team Canada during the 1972 Summit Series. “I was very pleased to have that photo done and put in to the calendar to give them the profile early on in my career,” he concluded.

Ron Ellis battled for the Leafs for 16 seasons while playing in the NHL. He was able to battle depression throughout his lifetime and now he continues to work with various charities in the community to help today’s youth in making a better tomorrow. Him and many other former Leafs that still live in the Toronto area give back whenever they can and are always pleased to get a phone call to help out at charitable events. Although he loves helping out as many charities as possible, Ellis has really enjoyed having his own Foundation because it makes it easier for him to focus on the things that have affected him the most in his lifetime and feels it is important to know where the funds are being sent.

The Ron Ellis Team Canada Foundation has been going for ten strong years. With his name already sewn into the minds of Toronto natives who got to witness him during his stint with the Maple Leafs, his Foundation will now help carry on his name to a next generation who will remember Ron Ellis for what he did off the ice for their community. He helped bring the city of Toronto together throughout his career and he continues to do so even though his hockey career is no more.

To learn more about the Ron Ellis Team Canada Foundation, visit http://www.ronellisfoundation.ca/

To learn more about Camp Oochigeas, visit http://www.ooch.org/

To learn more about the Touchstone Youth Centre, visit http://touchstoneyc.org/

Since moving to Calgary from Atlanta in 1980, the Flames have stressed the importance of creating a positive impact within the city of Calgary and all of Southern Alberta. Flames Foundation for Life is the charitable arm of the Calgary Flames and focuses on important topics that many southern Albertans may face. Through the organization’s efforts, they are able to tackle issues such a health care, education, hunger and athletics by making them all attainable for all community residents. The Flames Foundation for Life supports the Minor Hockey Association of Calgary and several other amateur organizations; including the city’s three post-secondary institutes; The University of Calgary; Mount Royal University; and SAIT Polytechnic. Their support includes team funding and donations each season over a set period of time.

The Foundation also hosts an annual hockey camp called Flames Even Strength Program which to this day has assisted 2,500 underprivileged children with the chance to play hockey. During the 2010-11 NHL season, the Calgary Flames; Flames Foundation for Life; Hockey Calgary; Hockey Alberta; and Tuxedo Sports, all came together to host Dreams Come True in conjunction with the Even Strength Program. A Hockey Canada initiative; Dreams Come True covers minor hockey fees for 50 youngsters and provides each player with a full set of equipment. The 50 players also got the chance to skate at the Saddledome with a couple of Flames players.

Recognizing the importance of success off the ice has always been important for the Flames Foundation for Life as they support and encourage the ever-growing minds of today’s youth.  In honour of long time Calgary Flames owner Harley Hotchkiss, the Calgary Flames honour students who are members of men and women’s hockey with the chance to receive a $1,000 post-secondary scholarship. The Flames are also committed to the health and well-being of those in Southern Alberta and have various health initiatives and programs. Health issues targeted are that of the prevention of adolescent depression and substance abuse while assuring students of their importance and value within the classroom. Public health care and specialty institutes are also funded in part with the Calgary Flames such as brain, bone and joint institutions.

The Calgary Flames have always played a vital part in the life and security of those in Southern Alberta. The Flames have put the city of Calgary on the map and have helped make them a relevant topic of discussion in North American sports. It wasn’t hard for the Flames to build a solid fan base when they moved to a city that was hockey crazy and they have never let their progression on and off the ice slow down. Their commitment to fully supporting positive initiatives that bring positive changes to the people of Southern Alberta is admirable and appreciated by not only the Calgary fans, but by hockey fans across the country.

For more information on the Flames Foundation for Life, visit http://flames.nhl.com/club/microhome.htm?location=/flames_foundation

Tammy was drafted in the first round, 18^th overall by the Charlotte Sting in the 2001 WNBA Draft; making her only the second Canadian born player in league history. She quickly became a key member to the team, becoming the Stings all-time leader in blocks in 2004 and became only the 10^th player to achieve 200 blocks in 2006. Only one year after being drafted she was selected for the 2002 WNBA All-Star Game, making her the first Canadian to participate in a WNBA All-Star Game. She is also only the 5^th WNBA player to reach 3000 points, 1500 rebounds and 400 blocks and has represented Canada in the Olympics. While in high school, she was rated the top Canadian female basketball prospect by the Toronto Star.  Her dominance on the court has made her a highly scouted center and has led multiple teams throughout her high school, college and professional career to successful seasons and achievements.

Although she is constantly busy with the demands of her basketball schedule between the WNBA season and her career over seas, Tammy Sutton-Brown continuously makes time to give back to women and children and provides them with care and appreciation. The Tammy Sutton-Brown Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment of women and provides hard working or down on their luck women with a chance to be pampered and treated to a day at the spa to help take their mind off the everyday problems they may face. These little, but very effective opportunities, are essential to increasing the morale and self-worth of many individuals.

The Foundation also focuses on the self-awareness and appreciation of young girls who may face difficult circumstances in day-to-day life such as bullying to self-esteem issues. It is easy to plague the young minds of children who are unable to realize and understand the reasons and motives behind issues such as bullying but the Tammy Sutton-Brown Foundation gives many young ladies a chance to recover and feel appreciated and important in the eyes of their peers.

Tammy Sutton-Brown has also been known for helping out various charities and colleagues who conduct similar programs or give back to the community in any way, shape or form. Her selflessness and desire to inspire and motivate all women within society who may be dealing with homelessness, drug abuse or domestic abuse, is definitely an admirable characteristic and a good and positive message for not only young females, but for all of today’s youth.

To learn more about the Tammy Sutton-Brown Foundation and Tammy’s philanthropic ventures, visit http://tammysuttonbrown.com/index.php