“The athletic spirit is a powerful thing,” says their website. And true
enough, Athletes for Hope, the non-profit
organization, founded by twelve of the world's best and most popular athletes
in their respective fields, has shown this indomitable spirit since its
conception in 2007.
Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Warrick Dunn, Jeff Gordon,
Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo
Mourning and Cal Ripken, Jr. have put together a charity that aims to help
athletes all over the world raise public awareness for various global issues
and causes, and to give back to the communities that have supported them. To
date, Athletes for Hope holds over 1,000 athletes as members and has the
support of the biggest sports leagues such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL and even the
Olympic movement, with Ivan Blumberg currently serving
as its CEO. As the organization presently continues its endeavors in philanthropy,
these athletes will keep inspiring others to give, share and care.