Giving Back

Giving back is an act close to my heart. Sometimes it’s taught but often times it’s learned. I was fortunate to grow up in a giving family, although I'm not sure the idea of “fundraisers” was very big back in the 70s. As I matured, I realized just how blessed I was and knew I needed to return the favor. It's a value I hope to pass along to my children. While I'm not always able to give time and/or money, when I can, it is so rewarding. I don't attend church regularly, but I am spiritual and I fully believe in karma. And I had way too much good in my life not to give back with all my heart.

Following the ‘92 Olympic Games, I was approached by many charities and asked to attend their functions – golf tournaments, dinners and swim events all made the list. I was honored to take part in as many as I could while still being a student at Stanford University.  But as my time at school was drawing to a close, I felt this pull to give back in a real way. Not to just show up one time here and there, but to dedicate myself to something and being a true part of it. That’s when my phone rang and Johann Koss was on the other end. The organization at the time was Olympic Aid, and they wanted me to take a trip to Rwanda just months after the genocide. I didn't hesitate for a second. I said YES and never looked back. That trip and those kids – their resiliency, strength, and spirit – with their looks of pure joy playing sport stuck with me!

Over the next 18 years, I’ve stayed a part of the organization as it’s changed and grown. We became Right To Play, and we now have a presence in 23 countries, touching the lives of over 1 million children every week. The idea of using sport for development has became a powerful tool, largely in part due to the tremendous work of Johann. He’s won gold medals, broken world records, and met world leader, but those accolades pale in comparison to his efforts to bringing a smile to a child in a war-torn country and watching that child learn and grow with confidence through sport in our programs. 

I was fortunate enough to be back to NYC with my mom and daughter recently for the Big Red Ball, Right To Play’s largest fundraising event. The red ball is our symbol and the words written on it are the motto we hope to instill in every child that participated in our program: “Look after yourself, Look after one another.” Isn't that really what giving back is all about. So I was thrilled to finally bring my bright-eyed, positive and caring 8-year-old daughter with me to the event. She was so excited to dress up and meet everyone, and she was finally big enough to see and understand why I give up time with our family to be a part of the Right To Play family. 

I often tell this story about the kids in our programs. During that first trip to Rwanda, we spent time at an orphanage and I saw the purest form of selflessness and love. Many of the kids taking part in our games were disabled from the genocide. One girl in particular had lost both her legs from a landmine explosion, and they were amputated just above her knees. Her prosthetics were two pieces of wood with a peg end. She was balancing on two pegs for a relay race. It was an amazing site. What I quickly noticed and then became mesmerized by were her eyes. Huge, round and gorgeous brown eyes beneath closely shorn hair. She was strong and beautiful. The children were all incredibly tough; my emotions weren’t. Once I composed myself, I knew I couldn't shed any more tears. If these children were happy, I was happy and the day was for smiling. 

The relay race began with Johann and I looking on as cheering fans. The little girl was standing there in line waiting for her turn to race. She was focused and ready. The baton was passed to her, and I don't think I have ever seen a child happier than in that moment. She was hauling butt to the turn-around post and back. And I was just in awe. While not yet a mother, I understood what it meant to feel a child’s joy and want to be a part of giving them that feeling. Her face, that smile, and those eyes have stuck with me. It’s the joy of the heart I now see in my own children.

Pure happiness was what I witnessed that day, something those kids hadn't felt often. And there’s not a day that goes by that I don't feel honored to be a part of Right To Play, building a foundation of health, confidence, courage and knowledge through sport so that children can go on to be a positive influence in their communities. Yes, I have given time, energy and money, but what I continue to take away from each experience is so much more. And the lessons I get to teach my kids first hand are priceless.

Everyone has their own passion, their own calling, so find yours if you can. Choose your path and give back however you can to something that’s close to your heart in whatever way you’re comfortable participating. If you get the opportunity, teach the next generation the power they have for positive change. And please tell me all about it. I truly want to know.

Not going to Africa: Making the decision

I have never been good at making decisions, but I generally go with my gut. Just this Friday I was all packed and ready to take a trip with my charity, a trip I had been looking forward to for more than six months, when I was faced with a decision...

You see, I was supposed to go to Africa to work in the field with Right To Play. The last time I visited Rwanda was 1996, and the country I saw was in the ruins of war and despair.  I was so excited to see how this beautiful country had put itself back together, and to learn about the the role our Right To Play programs were playing as part in its development.  But nothing went right. I spent the night before my flight comforting my son, who was up with a stomach bug. And while I felt bad for him, I was also relieved he got sick while I was home and not at some point during the next few days because I wouldn't have been there, and I would have felt awful.  For my first two trips to Africa with RTP, I wasn't married and I didn't have kids, so it's a whole different emotional ball game now.

The next hurdle was the weather. Over night the weather turned, and was snowing heavily for my departure. Not necessarily dumping, but definitely Salt Lake's first real snow accumulation of the season. And that's when I first got the feeling that this travel schedule of mine was not going to run smoothly. But I said goodbye, all be it through tears, when my husband and son dropped me off at the airport. (I made them drive away while I stood and waved until I couldn't see them anymore.) Then I tried to be proactive.  I asked if I could start looking for alternative flight plans, but everyone assured me I would be ok, that "No plans are delayed yet." And there it was, that feeling again.  You know the one, it's the same one you get as soon as a commentator says, "He hasn't missed a field goal this season inside 40 yards."  But we were, in fact,  early boarding and pushing back from the gate so I chalked it up to nerves. Then the deicer issues began, and tick-tock….after almost 2 hours delayed...we finally took off.  My plane pulled into the Seattle gate as my Amsterdam flight was pushing back.  And that was it.  That was my only way to Africa Friday and it was only 1:48pm PT.  It was completely out of my hands.  

To make matters worse, I wasn't feeling well and was super worried about getting really sick on either of my two remaining 10 hour flights. So the decisions started to pile up. Do I stay over night in the airport or at a close hotel and take the 1:20pm flight tomorrow, getting me into Africa on Nov 11th at 8pm?  I could get on the first leg of my flight, but the KLM leg (my second 10 hour connection) would have to settled at the counter in Amsterdam, and with the way this trip was going, THAT was unsettling.  To top it off, due to the whole day delay, my 4 days on the ground had turned into just 2.5 days.  I wanted to go so badly, wanted to see those kids in Kigali and Kuvoa, but when is too much, too much? And that's where my wise husband brought me back to my own reality.  I love my charity and wanted to be there to support their efforts and be a part of it all, but my main happiness is my family. And 48 hours of flying wasn't worth getting only 60 hours on the ground if it meant my health. My one girlfriend put it best when she said, "I know you must be so disappointed, but it looks like the stars weren't aligned for this trip." And they weren't so my heart still aches a bit.  But I know the amazing Athlete Ambassadors making the trip -- Heather O'Reilly (@HeatherOReilly), Heather Petri (@PeteIsAGirl ) and Natalie Coughlin (@NatalieCoughlin) -- will soak up every second of their journey and pour it into my waiting heart when they get back. 

In the meantime, I will consider these 5 unexpected days at home as a gift.  I will snuggle when asked, cheer at every event that I would have missed, and trust that that is exactly what Right To Play is doing for so many kids around the world. Until next time Africa. 

Celebrity Apprentice!

So, it is out there...in the viral world and even in promos. I can now say to my friends that I was in NYC for a little thing called, "Celebrity Apprentice". Yes, I did meet The Donald. Yes, I did check out his hair. Yes, I was super hesitant and nervous when deciding to do it. Yes, I did it for my charity...Right To Play. And, yes, I had a super fantastic experience.

I must admit that I lost a bit of sleep over whether or not to do the show. I had seen a bit of last season's drama and it scared the shit out of me. I am not a very good fighter. I am a much better laugher. And I knew that wasn't going to get me anywhere in the boardroom. But, sometimes in life, you surprise yourself.

I brought my kiddos and my mom. The days were longer than long. Call times were as early as 5am and the days were consistently over around 10 or 11pm. I was crazy tired because, on my days off, I was soaking up as much time as I could with my kiddos and giving my mom a much deserved break. We had one day off a week in which to be normal...then it was off into a reality tv bubble.

I have to say, though, I was 100% the same person off camera as I was on camera. And, every chance I got, I spoke about my charity, Right To Play! www.righttoplay.com. In the end, I agreed to do the show for one reason, to introduce everyone to Right To Play and hope to spread the word about our work. We bring sport and play to developing countries and children who have been affected by war. I have been on 2 trips with them and they have changed my life forever. Once you see a child's face light up when they see our red soccer ball...you realize the power of sport and it's importance.

This blog is all over the place and obviously, I will write more about the show. All in all, I had a great experience. I am sure there will be things I wish I had said differently but in the end, I feel like I got to meet some amazing people, made lasting friendships and challenged myself in ways I never thought possible.

Giving up to give to others

The holiday season is right around the corner. Something happens every year...i think the calendar is shorten from November to the end of December as it jams on by. That is why I thought I would talk about giving and gifts now.

In my family, we would often buy gifts for a family in need. We would find out their sizes and needs and have a great family outing of shopping and giving. It is something I will never forget and it has stuck with to this day. I make sure to continue my dad's lesson even now in my life. I pull names off the little tree at the grocery store or at Macy's. I love the idea that I just might make a kid really happy during the holidays.

It actually doesn't take a lot. You don't need to spend a ton of money to accomplish this act of giving. What I generally do is give up one of my gifts to give to someone else. I also try to do this with the kids so that they understand the whole idea around the holidays. (and believe me, they get too many gifts anyway.) This is kinda why I am bringing this up. How many gifts do we really need? If we have a want, isn't it usually just one thing... you know, one thing you are just dying for. So, if you took everything else off your list and gave those gifts or the money that would have gone towards those gifts and bought for someone else, imagine what you could do!

I will talk about these charities more as we get even closer to the holidays but here are a few of my favorites to take a look at...
The Heifer Foundation
UNICEF
Right To Play

All three of these organizations are absolutely awesome in their own right. They each provide a different means of giving and are super established and trustworthy. I guess my point to you 12 people following my blog is that people need us this holiday season. Give them the gift of a gift...maybe one of your own.