Lynn Special Olympics
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Stephen Basden and I am currently a junior Men's Basketball player at Endicott College. I live in Lynn with my mom and my older brother, Ptah. Ptah has been diagnosed with Klinefelter Syndrome since age 11 and PDD/Autism since the age of 5. Because of this and other developmental delays, he struggled participating on team sports at school or with local programs. Luckily for Ptah, and very much myself also, my mother Dalene is an incredible person. Among the countless other things she's done to make so many opportunities for both of us possible, she and my father revived the Lynn Special Olympics program nearly 20 years ago when Lynn Public schools cut their salary budget for the coordinator/coach position. Throughout the years , we have added over 5 more sports with 2 or more teams in each while training over 300 different kids with developmental, physical, mental and cognitive delays. With all of this being said, I personally have expanded into the role of head coach of all sports while assisting my mom with operational duties when possible.
Currently, we are participating in our 18th straight Special Olympic basketball season, a remarkable accomplishment for one of the only programs, nationally, operating on 100% volunteerism. Throughout the years we have struggled for gym times, uniforms, transportation, and other expenses but through just enough volunteerism and donations we have been able to stand the test of time. Last year we were very privileged to be able to purchase new uniforms for 2 of our basketball teams, the Lynn Rugrats and Team Blackout. This year, I am faced with solving a challenge we have had since the beginning of time...the lack of equipment and sometimes it's personal equipment. As I look around at practices this year I noticed the lack of performance sneakers on the court. I see a lot of casual, flat shoes, ripped basketball sneakers, some with torn laces, and even some sneakers that are clearly a couple sizes too small. During our very short gym time I find myself often trying to rig laces in a elaborate ways to hold up or reminding someone not to wear their sneakers like sandals, or even endlessly attempting to convince some of the athletes to just tie their shoes.
THIS IS WHERE WE NEED YOUR HELP! I have personally been blessed with the ability and opportunities to build up a shoe collection of my own over the years but unfortunately only 2 players wear my size, one of which is my brother who is actually 2 sizes smaller but don't bother trying to convince him they don't fit.
As some of you may have heard, Nike recently created a shoe inspired by a young man, named Matthew Walzer, who has cerebral palsy and for long struggled to find sneakers that he could independently get in and out of. Well, thankfully Nike answered and Matthew was presented with a sneaker named the Nike Flyease 8, also known by Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier 8. This performance basketball sneaker was created with an innovative zipper tying technology that allows kids like Matthew and many others that struggle with the flaws of many sneakers to be able to independently go about this daily task.
Because of this incredible and inspiring story, I've decided that the best way to solve this issue is to possibly raise enough money to purchase each athlete in the Lynn Special Olympics basketball program a pair of Nike Flyease 8 sneakers. Because of budget constraints and limitations, doing this without the generosity of many people is simply not possible. Every donation, regardless of amount, is greatly appreciated please only give if you are able to. For many of those that are not able to donate in a monetary manner or would rather get involved, please do not hesitate to contact me. Volunteerism is essential to this program's existence and is just as much appreciated as any donation.
Myself, the Lynn Special Olympics basketball program, and all the athletes thank you in advance for your consideration.
Below are pictures of the sneakers, Matthew Walzer, and our most recent picture of our oldest football team, Lynn Blitz Squad at the 2015 Special Olympics Massachusetts Flag Football tournament at Harvard stadium.
Currently, we are participating in our 18th straight Special Olympic basketball season, a remarkable accomplishment for one of the only programs, nationally, operating on 100% volunteerism. Throughout the years we have struggled for gym times, uniforms, transportation, and other expenses but through just enough volunteerism and donations we have been able to stand the test of time. Last year we were very privileged to be able to purchase new uniforms for 2 of our basketball teams, the Lynn Rugrats and Team Blackout. This year, I am faced with solving a challenge we have had since the beginning of time...the lack of equipment and sometimes it's personal equipment. As I look around at practices this year I noticed the lack of performance sneakers on the court. I see a lot of casual, flat shoes, ripped basketball sneakers, some with torn laces, and even some sneakers that are clearly a couple sizes too small. During our very short gym time I find myself often trying to rig laces in a elaborate ways to hold up or reminding someone not to wear their sneakers like sandals, or even endlessly attempting to convince some of the athletes to just tie their shoes.
THIS IS WHERE WE NEED YOUR HELP! I have personally been blessed with the ability and opportunities to build up a shoe collection of my own over the years but unfortunately only 2 players wear my size, one of which is my brother who is actually 2 sizes smaller but don't bother trying to convince him they don't fit.
As some of you may have heard, Nike recently created a shoe inspired by a young man, named Matthew Walzer, who has cerebral palsy and for long struggled to find sneakers that he could independently get in and out of. Well, thankfully Nike answered and Matthew was presented with a sneaker named the Nike Flyease 8, also known by Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier 8. This performance basketball sneaker was created with an innovative zipper tying technology that allows kids like Matthew and many others that struggle with the flaws of many sneakers to be able to independently go about this daily task.
Because of this incredible and inspiring story, I've decided that the best way to solve this issue is to possibly raise enough money to purchase each athlete in the Lynn Special Olympics basketball program a pair of Nike Flyease 8 sneakers. Because of budget constraints and limitations, doing this without the generosity of many people is simply not possible. Every donation, regardless of amount, is greatly appreciated please only give if you are able to. For many of those that are not able to donate in a monetary manner or would rather get involved, please do not hesitate to contact me. Volunteerism is essential to this program's existence and is just as much appreciated as any donation.
Myself, the Lynn Special Olympics basketball program, and all the athletes thank you in advance for your consideration.
Below are pictures of the sneakers, Matthew Walzer, and our most recent picture of our oldest football team, Lynn Blitz Squad at the 2015 Special Olympics Massachusetts Flag Football tournament at Harvard stadium.
Organizer and beneficiary
Stephen Basden
Organizer
Lynn, MA
Dalene Basden
Beneficiary