Reaching at risk kids & Veterans
Donation protected
For years through my work in business and as a college and university professor, I have had opportunities to see how the world is filled with youth, including our Veterans who have faced seemingly insurmountable challenges because, LIFE HAPPENS. It has always been my privilege to be able to get involved and help them. 5 years ago I meet a fellow fencing coach and retired competitor John Terris. Together we have had the opportunity to be heavily involved in coaching and training youth and Veterans in the Olympic sport of fencing. During this time we've again had the opportunity to work with youth having all manner of challenges from ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, Autism, PTSD, Social Anxiety disorders to the very real challenges of war time disabilities. In the last 2 years we've started a fencing training center (Georgia Fencing Academy) where we actively work with youth and Vets with these struggles, upto and including teaching and training wheel chair fencing. Through this entity, we have established programs in various community and county parks & recreation programs. We've been able to get into high schools and establish fencing clubs/programs. We've even started a program to train and develop youth/student coaches. All of this takes money and we've just about reached the edge of our ability to continue to grow. There are wheel chair frames to buy, and the unique equipment that goes with that, protective gear, uniforms, masks, weapons, and coaches to train who can support what we've started.
Together Jerry Heilpern and John Terris have combined competitive and coaching experiences that exceed 60 plus years. I can tell you about the studies that show dramatic improvement in academics, self confidence, critical thinking, and reasoning skills that occur when youth get involved. But what I want you to think about are those who have never fit in anywhere, who could never seem to succeed in any of the "traditional, main stream" sports but found a home in fencing. I want you to think about the ones who thought they were so broken that they would never find anything they could be good at again. I want you to think of those who have never fit in anywhere socially, or really gotten along with anyone or had a lot of friends finally found that place and those friends. I want you to think of the parents that finally see their children have a place where they fit in and actually succeed on their own merits. I want you to think of those men and women who see their spouses do something they never thought they ever could and with tears in their eyes as their spouses actually have that gleem in their eye again knowing there is something that they can succeed at again!
We are looking to raise money to buy equipment, actually develop new equipment that will make parts of the sport more affordable, train coaches and eventually launch our own 501 C3 (The Hope of Fencing) to keep this important work rolling forward. You have no idea how grateful these families and individuals will be as this work continues to grow and develop. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude John and I personally have for you taking the time out of your busy lives to read all of this and perhapse maybe even get involved!!!
Together Jerry Heilpern and John Terris have combined competitive and coaching experiences that exceed 60 plus years. I can tell you about the studies that show dramatic improvement in academics, self confidence, critical thinking, and reasoning skills that occur when youth get involved. But what I want you to think about are those who have never fit in anywhere, who could never seem to succeed in any of the "traditional, main stream" sports but found a home in fencing. I want you to think about the ones who thought they were so broken that they would never find anything they could be good at again. I want you to think of those who have never fit in anywhere socially, or really gotten along with anyone or had a lot of friends finally found that place and those friends. I want you to think of the parents that finally see their children have a place where they fit in and actually succeed on their own merits. I want you to think of those men and women who see their spouses do something they never thought they ever could and with tears in their eyes as their spouses actually have that gleem in their eye again knowing there is something that they can succeed at again!
We are looking to raise money to buy equipment, actually develop new equipment that will make parts of the sport more affordable, train coaches and eventually launch our own 501 C3 (The Hope of Fencing) to keep this important work rolling forward. You have no idea how grateful these families and individuals will be as this work continues to grow and develop. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude John and I personally have for you taking the time out of your busy lives to read all of this and perhapse maybe even get involved!!!
Organizer
Jerry Heilpern
Organizer
White, GA
