Christmas came early for Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley this year thanks to UScellular and its “Gift of Connection” campaign. UScellular donated $1,000 worth of sports equipment to the non-profit organization this week.
UScellular Makes $1,000 Sports Equipment Donation To Girls Inc.
As the nation’s fourth-largest wireless carrier, UScellular takes pride in helping customers stay connected to the things that matter most. To the girls of Girls Inc., those things are league-grade basketballs and soccer goals.
This donation is a major step forward in the Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley’s continued efforts to enhance its sports program. Former Tennessee Lady Vol Nicky Anosike joined Girls Inc. last August as its athletic director. She shared what this donation means in the long run, explaining that UScellular has donated much more than equipment. For these girls, it means the gift of new opportunities. Anosike said:
“These girls are gonna go as far as we push them. So if we keep pushing them, and we have the resources to keep pushing them, then I think we’ll be shocked and amazed at where these girls can go in the next 10 to 15 years. And hopefully, they come back and give back to the next generation of girls after them. But we just need the community to stand behind us to help us give these girls what they need to be successful. That’s the most important thing.”
This particular $1,000 “Gift of Connection” contribution is one of 40 national donations UScellular has made to honor its 40th anniversary. In total, the company has donated over $35 million to non-profits since 2009. As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance community connection, UScellular recently also launched its After School Access Project, an initiative to provide up to 50,000 youth with hotspots and reliable internet service.
Nicky Anosike, Girls Inc. Look To Embolden Girls Through Sports
As Girls Inc.’s new athletic director, Anoskie says that ultimately, her role is to help these girls realize their potential in sports.
“This is my dream job, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do. I love working with young children, especially young girls that are pretty much the same as I was when I was their age.”
Basketball played a pivotal role in Anosike’s life, beginning in her childhood.
“I needed a Girls Inc. in New York City when I was coming up. And there just wasn’t an organization like that, unless you had money and could join the YMCA. But there wasn’t something like this for us coming up, and I wish we had it.”
Because of this, she’s well aware of the difference such a program could make for future generations of girls.
“Now that I’m an adult, I make sure that I do what I can for these girls who are, they’re me in 1990. They’re me. I wish I had positive role models, I wish I had support, I wish I had access to the STEM programs that they have access to. There just was nothing like this.”
Girls Inc. gives Anosike the platform to support these girls and donations like UScellular’s turn those dreams into reality. Anosike continued:
“At Girls Inc., our mission is to help girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Whatever we can do to teach them those three things is what we do.”
Girls Inc. Gives Girls Chance To Flourish
Mother Yvonne Kostecka, whose daughters are in Girls, Inc., knows firsthand the impact such a program can have on a family. Kostecka said:
“Girls Inc. has meant the world for my children and for me. When I grew up, I didn’t have those resources. My family struggled to put me through the little sports that I could get. And now, if my girls want to play sports, I want them to play sports.”
For Kostecka, the program’s benefits are tenfold. Not only does the program offer her daughters the opportunity for growth and involvement in team activities, but she’s watched the program shape her daughters in countless other aspects as well.
“I guess the biggest thing that I see in my girls is confidence.”
These changes wouldn’t be evident, though, without the efforts of an organization such as Girls, Inc. For Kostecka,
To understand what separates Girls, Inc. from other non-profit youth organizations, donors must simply look at the organization’s name. Kostecka explained:
“They love girls. They’re all about the development of girls. Girls need the extra boost; they need to know that they can do anything they put their minds to. And there needs to be a healthy place where that can happen, and this is it.”
Donating To Girls Inc. This Holiday Season
For those who are interested in getting involved with Girls Inc., Anosike says:
“The most important thing that you can do if you want to help us is to donate.”
At Girls Inc., donations don’t always have to be monetary, though.
Kostecka, whose daughters attend the program on scholarship, gives back to the organization by serving as a proud volunteer.
And in UScellular’s case, the donation was in the form of much-needed sports equipment.
Visit the Girls Inc. of the Tennessee Valley website to see what donations are needed this season. Various Girls Inc. Givebutter campaigns are also active, for those interested in donating to particular efforts.
