We wanted to start off by sharing the beginnings of Sports4HOPE through a letter from our co-founders, Paul and Stephen Reynard. We hope you continue to follow us and we look forward to keeping you updated with everything Sports4HOPE.
-S4H team
Hello friends,
The decision to found Sports4HOPE was informed by our lifelong involvement in organized sports, our compassion for those in conflict regions whose lives are defined by systemic violence, and our strong belief that we have the ability to change this reality through the power of hope. What started off as an idea has blossomed into a non-profit organization committed to using sports and peace education to facilitate reconciliation and community development in conflict-affected communities.
Sports have always had a positive impact on our lives. Our parents, stressing the value and importance of work ethic, first initiated our involvement in recreational and competitive sports. Whether we competed as individuals or as part of a team, we emerged with an appreciation of organized sports as an instrument to develop character, teamwork, and leadership qualities that last a lifetime.
Having grown up in a unique family that lived in four different countries (Germany, Great Britain, Canada, and USA), we developed an acute social awareness for those living on the fringes of society. Our appreciation for community motivated us to give back and help those who suffer for no fault of their own. Living with our grandparents, Bob and Alma McAllister, who were missionaries in Congo for many years and sacrificed all they had to bring hope to those in need, has also profoundly impacted our lives and is a contributing factor in our decision to found Sports4HOPE.
We are fortunate to have benefited from talented and selfless family and friends, whose commitment to social activism continues to inspire us. It is our belief that we have a responsibility to take advantage of our resources to help those who were never afforded such advantages. Together, we have the ability to create positive change for the most conflict-ridden communities in the world.
Please join us in our fight to bring peace and hope to those in need!
Sincerely,
Paul & Stephen Reynard
Co-Founders of Sports4HOPE
