 | | | | Van Brinson, President/CEO |
World T.E.A.M. Sports is pleased to launch "Be Exceptional," a periodic newsletter that serves to share current World T.E.A.M. Sports events, news and stories with our participants and partners. Please take a moment to relax and read about us, our mission and our people.
"Be Exceptional" will show how World T.E.A.M. Changes Lives through Sports. Expect more stories and photographs about the people we help and the people who help us.
Thank you! Van P. Brinson President/CEO World T.E.A.M. Sports |
| | | Face of America participants join in the #22pushups campaign to raise awareness around veteran suicide at the start line of this past April's ride in Arlington, VA. Photo by Tony Granata.
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WITHIN REACH: A Fully Digital 2015 Annual Review
World T.E.A.M. Sports launched its first fully digital annual review past April. Using a reverse scroll on the site to simulate that the viewer is climbing up in elevation, the theme "Within Reach" highlights the different locations of the World T.E.A.M. Sports events, which vary in elevation, and symbolizes the athletes' abilities to reach new heights.
Says World T.E.A.M. Sports President/CEO Van Brinson, "This review allows us to thank our donors, recognize our sponsors and partners, and highlight our participants all in one location. For this year's report we decided, with [Baltimore-based design firm] Exit 10's encouragement, to employ a different format."
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| | | | Lauren Eden, Subway Sponsor, at Face of America 2015
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SUBWAY AND LAUREN EDEN: A Five-Year Partnership that Changes Lives through Sports and Fresh Food
Lauren Eden believes in the mission of World T.E.A.M. Sports. As Director of Business Development at Washington D.C.-based PBE Group, which franchises restaurants on military installations and hospitals in Maryland, DC, Virginia and Miami, Lauren has partnered with World T.E.A.M. Sports for five years to offer fresh food to athletes. "I truly believe that anyone of any ability can succeed when they put their minds and bodies to work," says Lauren. A competitive ice skater for 15 years, Lauren learned that discipline, strength of mind and dedication to a sport are an essential part of individual growth and success.
When asked how she became involved with World T.E.A.M. Sports, she tells the story of how five years ago, she met a veteran who was injured in a helicopter accident. The veteran was riding in Face of America and urged Lauren to join him on the 110-mile bike ride. Aware of the ride through her good friend WTS President/CEO Van Brinson, she quickly offered additional support to the organization through in-kind donations of Subway meals.
For five years now, Subway has catered lunch on Day One of FOA, a stop that has become a highlight of the event. Energized but hungry athletes gather, refuel on delicious, fresh Subway sandwiches, chips and cookies, and bond over the first 30 miles of their journey. Lauren also donates meals to the Adventure Team Challenge -- D.C. event, a multi-sport, outdoor challenge for youth with disabilities.
Lauren is a member of the World T.E.A.M. Sports Development Committee and looks forward to finding new ways to improve revenue, partnerships and fundraising.
"When I see injured veterans and people with disabilities struggling, I know World T.E.A.M. Sports is the place for them," says Lauren. "It gives people a place to be challenged, interact and be part of the broader community. It's my passion."
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| ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT:
Michael Cotts Video and Story
Following 25 years of military service for his country, Canadian Army Veteran Michael Cotts retired to outdoor sporting activities such as World T.E.A.M. Sports' annual Face of America bicycle and hand cycle ride to manage his post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression. "I am an overcomer and I know where I have come from," said Cotts. "Looking back at my life, I see a lot of places that I don't ever want to go to again. I know that my key to survival is to keep active and keep taking part in these sporting events."
At the October 2015 IRONMAN Maryland, Cotts competed as a member of World T.E.A.M. Sports' triathlon team. In May 2016, Cotts joined the Invictus Games in Orlando with the Canadian team. "I exceeded the goals that I had for myself," Cotts said of the Games, which included nearly 500 veteran competitors with disabilities from 14 nations. "I had two top ten finishes in shotput and rowing." Currently, he is training for the September 2017 Invictus Games, to be hosted in Toronto.
World T.E.A.M. Sports congratulates Michael Cotts on his amazing achievements. To help more athletes like Michael, or to make a gift in his honor, please considering donating to World T.E.A.M. Sports. |
World T.E.A.M. Sports relies on you to allow us pursue our mission of Changing Lives Through Sports. Your generosity provides us with the means to continue to grow and to be able to offer a wide variety of events for children, youth and adults. Your Gift Counts!You may also sign up to give a monthly here: Monthly Giving DonationWorld T.E.A.M. Sports is a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service and so to the extent allowable by the IRS, your gift is tax-deductible. Our federal tax identification number is 56-1827893. |
| | | Team Capital One assists an injured veteran at the 2016 Face of America Ride. Photo by Tony Granata.
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