Live to Support (LTS) Chicago is a recreational sports organization that runs a variety of leagues where a percentage of each team’s registration fee supports a local charity of its choice (the percentage donated can range from 5–100% and varies by league, according to the LTS FAQ page. Plus, the winner of each league also wins a donation to that same charity as its prize (much better than a silly trophy, in my opinion). Thanks to the sponsorship from my company Groupon, my co-workers and I are able to play on our own LTS team, dubbed Team Blitzkrieg. This past season, Team Blitzkrieg won the Coed 6′s Indoor Volleyball league—the fifth league that our team has won so far and the fifth giant check, this time worth $760 to our awesome charity, By the Hand Club for Kids. This charity is a faith-based after school program that provides holistic mentorship and academic coaching services for kids facing academic challenges. The organization provides after-school homework help along with a comprehensive mentoring program that includes home visits, help getting medical checkups, nightly dinner for kids who otherwise wouldn’t have any, and general counseling.
By the Hand Club for Kids is a really awesome organization that changes lives and gives kids a safe, healthy environment in which to grow into responsible and successful young adults. As part of our LTS team’s registration, Groupon donated to the organization, which will help buy food, clothing, books, school supplies, and much more for these kids that are in such need of these simple things. Team Blitzkrieg will continue their domination of LTS Sports Leagues with Coed Softball in the spring! We love playing with LTS because they give back to the community and it gives teams a better reason to play these sports. It gives people a sense of purpose and fulfillment like they made an impact in their local community and a sense of pride in being able to support their chosen charity. It also makes for some great competition when you know you have the needs of little kids riding on every game you play. With Coed Softball season approaching, we look forward to playing again for By the Hand Club for Kids. If you’re in the Chicago area, check out Live to Support to learn about starting your own team (Spring leagues begin in late March).
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Chicago, IL. (February 22, 2013) – LTS Chicago LLC, the only charity driven adult sports league and social club in Chicago, is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with Athletico Physical Therapy for the 2013 sports season. Athletico provides physical and occupational therapy, athletic training, and fitness services to over 200 affiliations including Chicago’s professional sports teams, colleges, and high schools throughout Illinois. This partnership will encompass the Chicago locations where athletes who partake in LTS Chicago LLC sports leagues will be given athletic training on-site at different league nights as well as the opportunity to receive physical therapy at Athletico facilities, if needed. As a premier provider of physical therapy and athletic training in the Midwest, Athletico will make a strong impact on the athletes of LTS Chicago LLC.
“We are very excited to be partnering with LTS Chicago. Their mission resonates with Athletico’s core values and we are looking forward to growing with them.” said Athletico Manager of Athletic Training Services Payten Gerjerts. “The goal for 2013 is to provide these athletes with the support they need to continue playing for the causes they believe in every season.”
Athletico was chosen as the Official Provider of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training for LTS Chicago Athletes for their tremendous expertise in the area of athletic training and commitment to the non-profit community of Chicago. They will provide athletic training support for the athletes who play every week on different fields, education on injury prevention and all athletes will receive a complimentary injury screening performed by certified physical therapists and athletic trainers at any Athletico location. This service will provide a level of customer service LTS Chicago LLC has never been able to provide before to their players. The experience and successes will allow LTS Chicago LLC to reach their goals for getting all injured athletes back on the field as soon as possible.
“I am thrilled to be partnered with a well-respected company who provides athletic training services for several professional sports teams in Chicago. In partnering with Athletico our athletes will gain valuable training and athletic support on and off the field” said LTS Chicago LLC co-founder Mark Biery. “LTS Chicago LLC is very excited to have a connection with another Chicago-based company that shares the same socially conscious values as LTS.”
About LTS Chicago LLC:
LTS Chicago LLC is a social enterprise founded on the belief that young professionals in Chicago can participate in active sporting and social events and thus support Chicago non-profits with awareness and donations. LTS Chicago LLC has created partnerships with 32 different non-profits in Chicago including, America Scores Chicago, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, Imerman Angels, Chicago Fire Foundation, One Tail at a Time, Chicago Run, and A Special Wish – Chicago. Founded in July 2010 by Mark Biery and Chris DuCharme, LTS Chicago’s mission is to generate awareness and donations for local non-profits in Chicago by using sports and social events as the platform. For more information, please visit www.LiveToSupport.com.
In the end Team Blitzkrieg supporting By The Hand Club For Kids won $500 for their cause!
Video recap below of the season and why they play in support of a cause!
]]>Despite living close to one another most of their lives and running in the same circles, it wasn’t until an LTS winter dodgeball league in January 2011 that Andrea and Tony became acquainted. Playing on separate teams – Andrea for A Special Wish and Tony for Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children’s Memorial Hospital)– the two finally met.
NBC-5 News came to a league night to run a story on LTS, which happened to be when their teams faced off. Andrea was interviewed and caught on camera being pelted by a ball – thrown by none other than Tony. He’d had his eye on her before the game even started. Then he saw the NBC interview on TV. And thanks to her full name appearing in the interview, he was able to find Andrea, via Twitter, no less. Andrea tweeted at LTS and Tony recognized her name. He sent her a follow request and the two met, then started dating – all thanks to social media and a game of dodgeball.
Though NBC and Twitter were instrumental in the couple getting together, they agree that LTS’ mission and values are what really brought them together by combining sports and philanthropy. They both have a love for charity and share strong ties through their service to others. And they know they wouldn’t have had the same experience, had they played through a league that didn’t benefit and raise awareness for charities. “LTS created an environment that allowed like-minded young people to come together. We were all there to have fun, donate to charity, and meet new people. It was the perfect place to find someone who was looking for the same things as I was,” said Andrea.
Both continue to be involved in charitable work. Andrea ran the Chicago Marathon as a charity runner for A Special Wish and currently as a Law Student at the University of Chicago volunteers with the Domestic Violence Clinic. Tony has been a back-to-back LTS winter dodgeball league champions for Ann and Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (formerly Children’s Memorial Hospital). Tony and Andrea now try to find time to volunteer together at a local soup kitchen. Additionally, at their recent nuptials, the couple made donations to charities that are important to them in lieu of wedding favors. “Giving back is something that Andrea and I have tried to make a cornerstone of not only our individual lives, but now as a foundation for our relationship and marriage. We are grateful for an organization like LTS for not only allowing us to meet, but also for giving us the opportunity to continue to give back in such a fun way,” said Tony.
]]>The Urban Initiatives 7th annual Soccer Ball was by far our most successful fundraiser to date! We are incredibly grateful to the over 800 dedicated fans who came out to celebrate our work, raise funds, and support our mission. Our team was blown away by the energy in the room and the clear commitment to giving back to Chicago’s youth. Thank you to everyone who made The Soccer Ball possible!
For ten years now, Urban Initiatives has consistently offered high quality programming to communities all over Chicago and has expanded each year into more valuable neighborhood schools. After this year’s Soccer Ball, we are thrilled to announce that the generous support of all those who attended has enabled us to expand into two more schools next year! This success is because of YOU! Thank you for making this expansion possible, and more importantly, thank you for impacting and investing in the lives of Chicago’s youth.
This year’s party on January 25th at the gorgeous River East Art Center was the most successful in Urban Initiatives’ history. Tickets sold out more than twenty-four hours in advance, we knew we were in for an unforgettable event. The loyal supporters who came enjoyed a beautiful night of drinking and dining, dancing and bidding, and most of all, making a significant and lasting difference in the lives of Chicago’s future generations. We so appreciate all of you who showed up to make this event so memorable!
The event ran smoothly and in style as Emcees Marc (Silvy) Silverman and Carmen DeFalco from ESPN 1000 greeted the guests, kept them up to speed on all the happenings of the evening, and facilitated a phenomenal live auction. Soccer Ball 2013’s silent auction item list was the envy of every guest thanks to numerous businesses and individuals from Chicagoland and beyond who donated amazing items and events in order to help out the over 5,000 kids that are a part of the Urban Initiatives community.
The evening also recognized several individuals and coporations for their commitment to Urban Initiatives this past year. The “Corporate Coach Award” was given out to nine representatives from Bank of America, Blue Star Properties, Chicago Inferno, Groupon, Mercedes-Benz USA, Nielsen Global, PwC, Starbucks and Stork USA for taking the time out of their day to come out and play with UI kids on a Friday Game Day. Laura Ricketts and Chicago Cubs Charities were presented with the annual Soccer Ball award for the amazing support they have shown to Urban Initiatives over the years.
The “Troy Cameron Mentor Coach Award” was presented to Claremont 5th grader Taquan Harris. Taquan has been committed to Urban Initiatives and the Work to Play program since the 3rd grade.
]]>The Coed Futsal Winter League has officially begun!
Futsal? For those unfamiliar with all things sports related, futsal is pretty much indoor soccer, with a few rule changes and a smaller size ball.
Over the next six weeks, six teams will compete to win the tournament and $350 towards the charity of their choice. After this week, there are three games left before the playoffs.
Who are these teams competitively playing for?
Really United is hoping to win a donation for Only Rice is Not Enough, an organization helping poor Vietnamese children who can’t afford a substantial meal. Another team playing for those in need is Reading is Fun. They support Bookwallah, which provides children in orphanages in India and Pakistan with books.
Two of the teams’ efforts are towards health organizations. A win for Flavor Purple would mean a donation to Imerman Angels that provides one-on-one cancer support. And also playing for cancer awareness is Les Blues, backing the Leukemia Research Foundation.
The Dorr Power team recognizes animal care, supporting One Tail At A Time, a no-kill rescue. Lastly, Futsal Super Heroes is excited to play in support of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls a charity that offers guidance for Chicago’s youth.
These teams are passionate about their charities, so let them tell you why below!
Click Here for the Schedule & Standings!
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Click Here for video
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