My name is Shannon Carr. Since the passing of my brother, Christopher Smith, I have been searching for a way to get involved in a program that carried on his legacy and ambition of supporting youth both mentally and physically. His priority was to help kids reach their fullest potential in both body and mind. He did not believe in handouts. He expected there to be a mutual investment, putting in the work, time and effort on both sides to reach a common goal. He had smiling eyes, exuded love, determination and ambition.
On March 13, 2018, I had the pleasure of meeting an amazing young man, Arthur Reese. As I went to shake his hand, his smiling eyes struck me. I saw that same drive and ambition I saw in my brother, I immediately knew that the journey I was about to take was that of fate. That day in honor of my brother, I made a donation and commitment to support “Dream Elite.” Dream Elite consists of three NCAAU Durham NC basketball teams that encompass 34 kids in 10th-12th grade and 8 coaches. I am making it my mission regardless of the amount of money raised, to support these kids and coaches both mentally and physically to reach their fullest potential.
THE BACKSTORY
Dream Elite started as just that a dream, 3 years ago by four young men ages 19 and 20, who all shared a common goal and passion of wanting to help kids. Arthur Reese, who is the head JV coach at Durham School of the Arts he has been coaching basketball for more than 7 years. This GoFundMe is to help raise money to adequately fund their summer NCAAU travel basketball team.
For the past three years, Arthur and the other coaches have not only been a coach, but in many aspects have served as a father and brother figure to these young men. It is their main priority to ensure these kids have a chance at a future and that they impact their lives in a positive way. They have seen kids leave this program and go off to college, get jobs and more importantly become respectable young men. Growing up Arthur’s coaches always made the translation between basketball and life lessons.....they go hand in hand. This program is the vice that these kids need. It is their mission to guide these kids to be strong young aspiring men.
“As long as we have someone to run Dream, then it’s an active program. We strive to be great and have no tolerance for negativity on and off the court. This a greater level of intensity and learning that these kids would not otherwise experience, reinforcing life lessons to foster accomplishment and self-confidence. It is a connection and lasting relationship between the kids and coach that goes beyond their years of playing for Dream Elite. These kids constantly hear us say during practice and on the court “if something bad happens keep playing, if something good happens keep playing”.
COSTS
Player dues is the main driver that supports this program, however many of these kids do not have the financial means to pay these dues. In prior years, much of the financial support has come from these coaches. The money raised will go towards travelling expenses (gas, food and lodging) for the 34 players and game entrance fees. The entrance fees alone are in excess of $3000 for the season. Beginning in April all the tournaments are away games spanning from the outskirts of North Carolina to South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Maryland.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you could support the Dream Elite GoFundMe and then sharing it with your network, I would be truly grateful. If you are not able to donate, merely just sharing it with your network is support enough.
In honor of my brother and the age at which he chose to make a positive change in his life, the team and coaches have made jerseys with the #24 that will be worn by one person each game in each age bracket. Their compassion touches me in ways that I could never put into words.
"The Dream Elite coaches are a representation of what my brother lived for daily; his spirit is what is guiding this team this year and hopefully for years to come.”
For more information about the NCAAU organization please visit: https://www.ncaau.org/page/show/434877-welcome-to-ncaau-boys-basketball
On March 13, 2018, I had the pleasure of meeting an amazing young man, Arthur Reese. As I went to shake his hand, his smiling eyes struck me. I saw that same drive and ambition I saw in my brother, I immediately knew that the journey I was about to take was that of fate. That day in honor of my brother, I made a donation and commitment to support “Dream Elite.” Dream Elite consists of three NCAAU Durham NC basketball teams that encompass 34 kids in 10th-12th grade and 8 coaches. I am making it my mission regardless of the amount of money raised, to support these kids and coaches both mentally and physically to reach their fullest potential.
THE BACKSTORY
Dream Elite started as just that a dream, 3 years ago by four young men ages 19 and 20, who all shared a common goal and passion of wanting to help kids. Arthur Reese, who is the head JV coach at Durham School of the Arts he has been coaching basketball for more than 7 years. This GoFundMe is to help raise money to adequately fund their summer NCAAU travel basketball team.
For the past three years, Arthur and the other coaches have not only been a coach, but in many aspects have served as a father and brother figure to these young men. It is their main priority to ensure these kids have a chance at a future and that they impact their lives in a positive way. They have seen kids leave this program and go off to college, get jobs and more importantly become respectable young men. Growing up Arthur’s coaches always made the translation between basketball and life lessons.....they go hand in hand. This program is the vice that these kids need. It is their mission to guide these kids to be strong young aspiring men.
“As long as we have someone to run Dream, then it’s an active program. We strive to be great and have no tolerance for negativity on and off the court. This a greater level of intensity and learning that these kids would not otherwise experience, reinforcing life lessons to foster accomplishment and self-confidence. It is a connection and lasting relationship between the kids and coach that goes beyond their years of playing for Dream Elite. These kids constantly hear us say during practice and on the court “if something bad happens keep playing, if something good happens keep playing”.
COSTS
Player dues is the main driver that supports this program, however many of these kids do not have the financial means to pay these dues. In prior years, much of the financial support has come from these coaches. The money raised will go towards travelling expenses (gas, food and lodging) for the 34 players and game entrance fees. The entrance fees alone are in excess of $3000 for the season. Beginning in April all the tournaments are away games spanning from the outskirts of North Carolina to South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Maryland.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you could support the Dream Elite GoFundMe and then sharing it with your network, I would be truly grateful. If you are not able to donate, merely just sharing it with your network is support enough.
In honor of my brother and the age at which he chose to make a positive change in his life, the team and coaches have made jerseys with the #24 that will be worn by one person each game in each age bracket. Their compassion touches me in ways that I could never put into words.
"The Dream Elite coaches are a representation of what my brother lived for daily; his spirit is what is guiding this team this year and hopefully for years to come.”
For more information about the NCAAU organization please visit: https://www.ncaau.org/page/show/434877-welcome-to-ncaau-boys-basketball
Organizer
Shannon Smith-Carr
Organizer
Durham, NC