SECAUCUS, NJ - Inspired by the positive attitude and strong will of the Haitian people, Red Bulls midfielder/defender Seth Stammler has founded and launched his own charitable organization - "Sporting Chance Foundation" - designed to better the standard of living in Haiti. Stammler visited Haiti on a six-day service trip in November 2006 along with teammates Jozy Altidore and Jerrod Laventure and saw first hand the struggles that many Haitians face on a daily basis. Sporting Chance Foundation is his response. By teaming up with prominent athletes, communities and corporate partners around the world, Stammler's foundation will raise money to combat two of the biggest issues Haitians face today: lack of educational opportunities and access to clean, potable water. Sporting Chance will provide scholarships to children and will build community water wells which will provide clean, potable water to thousands of people each day.
"Formal education and clean drinking water are two basic necessities that most of us take for granted but unfortunately aren't available to everyone in Haiti," said Stammler, who partook in a food distribution and conducted soccer clinics during his visit to Haiti in November. "Sporting Chance Foundation will provide Haitian children educational opportunities they otherwise would not have and will give communities access to clean, potable drinking water. Through these initiatives, we hope to make a big difference in Haiti and positively impact the lives of those in need."
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with 55% of the population living on less than one dollar a day. 90% of the schools in Haiti are private, meaning many underprivileged youths are unable to attend because they cannot afford the tuition. However, one $60 donation to the Sporting Chance Foundation will enable one child to attend school for a full year. The $60 will help fund the schools, pay the instructors and ensure that both the students and teachers are present on a daily basis.
Water-borne illnesses are the leading cause of death in the world and, according to recent estimates, less than a half of Haiti's population has access to clean, potable water. That figure drops to less than a third in some rural areas. Sporting Chance Foundation will fund the construction of community water wells to help this crisis. Just one water well can potentially provide for thousands of people. Once built, the water wells will be maintained and cared for by the individuals who use them.
Sporting Chance Foundation has registered to become a 501(c) (3) organization, allowing all donations to be tax-deductible. For more information on Sporting Chance, to make a donation, or to learn how to become a Corporate Partner, visit www.sportingchancefoundation.org.
