This month's newsletter by: Melissa Eckmann

Spotlight

Champions for Change Education Program Kicks Off
The Champions for Change Education Program has kicked off with Tucson Values Teachers as well as Tucson Unified, Amphitheater, and Wildcat school districts. Teachers and middle school students are already utilizing the books, thanks to a grant from the Zuckerman Community Outreach Foundation. Teachers are welcoming the program, which utilizes sports as a portal to literacy and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.

A big thank you to Swaim Associates LTD Architects AIA for their amazing support and partnership in the program! For more information, please contact the Champions for Change Program Coordinator.

Kristi Wagner, Perimeter Bicycling
Kristi Wagner is the development director at Perimeter Bicycling, where she works with Perimeter’s nonprofit agency partners, assists with event planning and logistics, and helps with writing, editing, and marketing. One of the events Kristi helps produce is the upcoming El Tour de Tucson, taking place this year on November 20.

Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Kristi moved to Tucson, Arizona in 2007. She enjoys cycling, hiking, and has a passion for the environment. Some things that Kristi does to contribute to a healthier environment include shopping at thrift stores rather than buying new, using reusable shopping bags and water bottles, removing her address from unnecessary mailing lists, and carpooling or going car-less whenever possible.

Kristi suggests, “I think others could contribute more to a healthier environment by trying one or more of these practices until it becomes a regular routine. It’s amazing how quickly this happens.”

Events

Team Fieldstone Cleans Up New York’s Coast
GSA Team Captain Dan Sullivan led his Fieldstone Secondary School team’s participation in the New York State Beach Cleanup on October 7. This is Team Fieldstone’s fourth year participating in the cleanup, which is part of the International Coastal Cleanup.

The Fieldstone students paired up with younger children who also assisted in this community project. Their involvement paves the way for future GSA team members to care for their community by helping to restore the coast to its natural beauty. To find and join a cleanup near you, visit the Ocean Conservancy’s website.

Collecting Tennis Balls for Elementary Schools
GSA USA Team Captain Dan Scheid and his volunteers are conducting their second annual used tennis ball collection for schools in the Rochester, New York area. Last year, Dan’s team collected several hundred tennis balls. The elementary schools then place the tennis balls on the bottom of the students’ chairs and desks to make the class environment less noisy.

Consider a tennis ball collection in your area! Simply ask your local club or gym if you can place a clearly marked collection box near the courts or at the sports desk. It’s a great way to “upcycle” those unwanted tennis balls and provide a more conducive learning environment for students.

Jane Poynter Speaks at State of Education Event
GSA USA President Jane Poynter will speak at the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce State of Education Annual Luncheon and Expo on October 28. The expo will feature high tech projects from local businesses and high schools, and Jane will speak about the Champions for Change Program and its emphasis on STEM and literacy.

Proceeds from the State of Education event help fund the Tucson Center for Cultural Enrichment’s scholarship program. Visit the website for tickets or more information.

Global Forum Discusses Environmental Awareness in Sports
The sixth annual Global Forum for Sports and the Environment, or G-ForSE, will be held at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) compound in Nairobi, Kenya on November 8-9, 2010. Organized by UNEP and GSA USA, G-ForSE meets every two years to discuss increasing environmental action and awareness in sports. GSA USA Florida Team Captain Leon Larson will also attend. 

Last Call for El Tour!
Don’t miss out on University Medical Center’s 28th annual El Tour de Tucson presented by Diamond Ventures. Deadline for registration is Thursday, October 29. After this date, late registrations will be accepted until Friday, November 12 with an additional fee.

El Tour’s main ride on Saturday, November 20 is loads of fun with more than 9,000 participants from around the world. Event organizer Perimeter Bicycling Associattion of America works diligently to host a sports event that takes consideration of the environment with their progressive recycling arrangements, youth involvement, and promotion of a sustainable economy.

Volunteers

Virtual Volunteers Make it Happen!
Are you interested in social media and online networking? GSA USA is looking for a volunteer or intern who can develop our online presence through networks such as Facebook and Twitter. This is a terrific ongoing opportunity, especially for those interested in building an online following.

Virtual volunteering is a great way to contribute your time and efforts on your own schedule. We strive to stay connected with all our volunteers near and far, and our virtual volunteers do not go unappreciated! Contact our Volunteer Coordinator today to find out more about this opportunity and others available at GSA.

Volunteer Birthday
Happy Birthday to GSA Intern extraordinaire Brittany H. and our fabulous volunteer bookkeeper Lynn M.  Thank you for your service!

Eco-Tip

Enjoy the Outdoors as the Season Changes
October is a beautiful month filled with exciting activities and changes in nature. The change of season from summer to fall is a great time to get outdoors, plan fun activities with the kids, and of course enjoy seasonal treats. There are loads of outdoor activities in just about every city and neighborhood: 

• Visit your local pumpkin patch. Support your local farmer and get a workout lifting and rolling those pumpkins. Check this website for a patch in your area.
• Community farms around the country create annual corn mazes, which can be both a physical and mental workout. Check out www.themaize.com for a maze near you.
• Collect fallen leaves on a walk through your neighborhood.
• Take a hike on a designated trail through a local or national forest to see the change in season up close.
• Reuse old sports gear for creative costumes and recycle helmets for treat holders or cauldrons.
• Lastly, don’t forget to recycle candy wrappers through TerraCycle. Not only are you reducing waste, but TerraCycle will donate $0.02 per wrapper to the charity of your choice!

New Partnership

Welcome Tucson Values Teachers

Resource

A no-cost way to raise money for non profits.
Go to www.goodsearch.com and enter Global Sports Alliance USA as your non-profit of choice. Every time you goodsearch instead of using other search engines to surf the web, money goes to GSA (or any other nonprofit you would like to help out). Please ask your friends to do the same. It adds up fast, and is a great way to help non-profits in this difficult economy.