OHSAA Foundation and UGIVE partner to help schools make a difference in Ohio communities

OHSAA staff reports, July 01, 2009 10:52 a.m.

Columbus, Ohio - The Ohio High School Athletic Association Foundation and UGIVE have partnered to help Ohio schools make a difference through the OHSAA Foundation's community service initiative, "Foundation Service Week." Part of the OHSAA Foundation's mission is to provide service opportunities for Ohio's student-athletes and UGIVE is a non-profit organization created to catalyze, excite and empower the next generation of volunteers. "UGIVE is excited to partner with the OHSAA Foundation to empower thousands of students from across Ohio to make a difference in their communities. The OHSAA Foundation Service Week is an exciting way to tie together the leadership of student-athletes and the service needed in our communities. Utilizing UGIVE makes it easy for students and coaches to find service projects, recruit other students to participate and track their efforts," stated Joe Hansbauer, Executive Director of UGIVE.

UGIVE is 100% focused on student volunteers and bridges the gap between schools participating in community service, charities desperately in need of volunteers, and the students who have the time, energy and passion to volunteer. Schools and students can search the UGIVE site and calendar for activities that match their interests and schedules. Charities on UGIVE.ORG confirm the students who volunteer, creating an online community service resume for students that can be used for graduation requirements, college application and scholarships, or job applications. UGIVE.ORG also provides free tools to schools to track service of their students, foster group volunteering and promote service in the school. All high schools in Ohio are given free access to the UGIVE platform and each school can create its own "high school portal" to manage specific school service projects and/or requirements. Any high school student in Ohio can create a free online profile, search relevant volunteer opportunities, and begin making a difference in their community and beyond.

The OHSAA Foundation recently announced dates for the 2009 OHSAA Foundation Service Weeks. The 2009 Volleyball Service Week will take place Friday, August 14, 2009 through Saturday, August 29, 2009. The 2009 Basketball Service Week will take place Wednesday, November 18, 2009 through Saturday, December 5, 2009. Through the newly formed partnership, OHSAA member schools participating in Foundation Service Week will complete the Service Week application process online through UGIVE.ORG.
Foundation Service Week provides an opportunity for OHSAA member schools to participate in a community service project(s), as well as a platform to highlight the community service activities schools already participate in throughout the year. Service Weeks are highlighted by "Foundation Games" in basketball and "Foundation Matches" in volleyball where participating schools are permitted to use one of the five allotted scrimmages to play a live game / match under all normal conditions, although the scrimmage does not count on a team's record.

The proceeds from Foundation Events go directly to the selected community service project, minus a $250 donation per school to the OHSAA Foundation. Contributions to the OHSAA Foundation are returned to all OHSAA member schools in the form of scholarships, leadership conferences and educational materials for student-athletes in all sports. The OHSAA Foundation annually awards $30,000 in scholarships and hosts six leadership conferences for over 1,000 student-athletes and administrators at no cost to member schools.

During the inaugural Service Week in 2008, over 250 high schools participated in 136 events across the state generating nearly $250,000. The response from participating schools was overwhelmingly positive. "I think it is a great opportunity for the kids to recognize the value in doing something for others," stated Brook Cupps, Athletic Director and Head Boys Basketball Coach at Graham High School. Of the dollars generated, over $177,000 went to charitable organizations and causes across the state.

The OHSAA Foundation is a non-profit organization created over 10 years ago to provide resources for enhancing educational opportunities and services for Ohio's student-athletes. UGIVE was conceptualized and founded in Cincinnati by community leaders Cris Collinsworth, Anthony Munoz, Deanna Castellini, Tom Hiltz, Karen Cassidy and Craig Young. The organization is funded by charitable contributions and is 100% free to students, schools and charities across the state of Ohio.