Next in our series of posts about new Charitocracy nominees, we have nominee Let Them Play, nominated by donor Elinora. Let Them Play grant funds for equipment, scholarships, even bus passes for transportation, to local and national organizations that empower play. You can find their web site here.
A few words on Charitocracy
Firstly, for newcomers: here's how it works. Donors pool their monthly contributions, as little as $1. The cause with the most votes each month wins the pot. No matter how much or how little you contribute, each donor at Charitocracy gets one vote. This is where charity meets democracy. So please share this post (scroll down for social sharing icons) and ask your friends to join us and vote! That's how we spread the word and, as a result, grow the monthly pot. The bigger the pot, the bigger our positive impact on the world!
About nominee Let Them Play
97% of public schools do not have everyday PE.
Many of these schools, particularly in urban environments, don’t host outdoor recess. 67% of children don’t participate in after school sports, many for a lack of resources.
Only one in three children is physically active everyday.
This had to change. Calling on their network of professionals, mentors and friends, and standing on the shoulders of giants, the Byrnes family created the Let Them Play Foundation.
In their inaugural year, they distributed over 30 grants ranging in value from $500 to $5,000, to local and national organizations that empower play: Baseball, Running, Cross-Fit, Squash, Dance, Tennis, Swimming, Basketball, Lacrosse, Soccer and more... Groups like Girls on the Run, PACE (Police Athletic and Community Engagement) in Omaha, Playworks nationwide, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Philly Stars... all offering not only sport, but a place to belong and grow, to empower and strengthen.
The majority of the grants were hand delivered by the Byrnes family as they roadtripped across the country. Because they felt it was important to “show, not just tell,” Eric swam from San Francisco to Oakland, biked from Oakland to Chicago, and ran from Chicago to New York City. They hosted 15 events over the 57-day period at different minor and major league ballparks, culminating at the steps of Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, escorted by NYPD and greeted by hundreds of kids and coaches from New York City and beyond.
So visit the page of nominee Let Them Play to vote for, like, or discuss this cause! And check out this 4 minute trailer for the Let Them Play documentary about Eric's amazing cross-country triathalon to deliver funds and raise awareness about the importance of physical activity for our youth: