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On today’s Around Atlanta edition of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio, Cynthia Frisina, executive director of BlazeSports America, chats with our hosts Bryan Nonni and Todd Schnick. Cynthia tells us about BlazeSports America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of children and adults with physical disabilities through sports.
Cynthia has a personal tie to BlazeSports; her 14-year-old daughter has Cerebral Palsy and had the desire to play sports.
“When she was in school, she wanted to do sports just like the other kids and there just weren’t sports programs that she could really participate in,” Cynthia said. “We found out about BlazeSports and she started getting involved, and the improvement in her self confidence and self esteem were so dramatic I felt that I had to get more involved I the program.”
Cynthia’s background as a marketer and her previous experience running another nonprofit organization made the partnership a perfect match.
BlazeSports began in conjunction with the 1996 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Atlanta and is part of the United States Paralympic Committee. The organization is comparable to the YMCA in that it offers participants multiple sports that they can be involved in. There are recreational sport options such as bowling and rock climbing, as well as Paralympic sports like wheelchair basketball, swimming, track and field, archery and more. BlazeSports provides children with an opportunity to get into sports at a young age and grow with the organization into adulthood.
Adding to the already full list of sports that Blaze athletes can participate in, there is a new grouping of sports in the works that will soon be introduced to the Atlanta area. The new sports include an archery program just for girls called, “Girls with Bows,” where girls can release their inner Katniss Everdeen. There will also be a new adaptive golf program for veterans. This program will be especially beneficial for those veterans who may have lost a limb but have not lost their love for golf. The benefit of an adaptive program means that golf professionals will adapt and teach the students how to play golf again. Finally, this fall, in conjunction with U.S. Paralympic Soccer, BlazeSports will roll out a new soccer program for children.
BlazeSports has many events throughout the year, and the organization is currently planning to participate in The Atlanta Santa Speedo Charity Run. BlazeSports has been chosen as the 2015 beneficiary and the kickoff event is scheduled for Aug. 30 at Manuel’s Tavern. During the event, attendees will have the chance to register for the run, which will be held Dec. 12 in the Virginia Highlands area. Proceeds raised from the run will go to help children in the Atlanta metro area have the chance to participate in sporting events throughout the year.
The third annual Triumph of the Human Spirit Awards will take place in November. This awards ceremony will recognize the heroes, contributors, athletes, coaches and the volunteers that work in the Atlanta metro and Georgia community in adaptive sports.
For any interested athlete wanting to get involved with BlazeSports, signing up is easy. Visit www.BlazeSports.org, or call 404-270-2039. Most programs are free to participate and the organization operates with the goal of getting as many children involved as possible. The organization also takes donations, which can be given online, and there are always volunteers needed to help out with the athletes and in the office. Also, make sure to visit the social media sites for BlazeSports:
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