Community Hero of the Month Archives

AFH Community Hero

Posted: November 15, 2023 Updated: November 15, 2023 by Hannah Bronkema

Strange uses his foundation as a “salute” to veterans

Cole Strange is no stranger to utilizing his platform to help brighten up others’ days. In 2022, Strange worked with the Athletes for Hope Hospital Heroes program to visit with kids at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital.

However, the former first-round draft pick did not stop there. His recent work to support military veterans in need makes Cole Strange Athletes for Hope’s November Community Hero of the Month.

Strange has more often than not stayed out of the spotlight, simply putting his nose down and working hard. The strategy allowed him to thrive as a New England Patriot guard in the NFL after being drafted out of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Yet, once he realized how powerful his position as an athlete was, he knew he had to use it to help others.

After spending the last year and a half working alongside various military organizations, he created The Cole Strange Foundation in September of this year with an inaugural movie screening with 40 military veterans and their guests.

The purpose of the Cole Strange Foundation is to honor, support, and show appreciation for the sacrifices of military veterans by impacting the lives of those physically injured or facing mental health challenges.

This culminated in his first annual Evening to Salute Veterans on November 6, where Patriots players, board members, sponsors and supporters all showed up to help fulfill the foundation’s fundraising goals.

There was an auction portion and other fundraising efforts as the event took place at the Patriots’ Gillette Stadium. With teammates in attendance, footballs were signed and auctioned off as well as other items. Proceeds from the evening helped to provide mental health grants to military veterans in need through the foundation.

Strange knows that as an NFL player, it takes hard work to reach the professional level, but he also understands how much more difficult military service can be.

“It’s something I have a ton of respect for,” Strange said. “Growing up, it was always one of those things that I thought commanded a lot more respect than people playing in the NFL, even though that was always my dream. I love football, but this is life or death – real-world stuff, and I feel like it’s overlooked a lot.”

Many odds were stacked against Strange during his journey, and he is not one to shy away from adversity, but military service strikes a chord with his emotions.

Cole Strange may not enjoy the spotlight, but his foundation is a reason for pride. Congratulations to Cole on being named the AFH Community Hero of the Month for November.

AFH Community Hero

Posted: October 25, 2023 Updated: October 25, 2023 by Hannah Bronkema

The future is now- track star supports the next generation of runners

There are certain athletes who are generational talents, the type that draw unprecedented crowds and followers. It is even more impressive when an athlete can build an expansive group of supporters before their 24th birthday.

It is what he has done with this support that makes Texas native Matthew Boling Athletes for Hope’s October Community Hero of the Month.

Boling was a two-time NCAA and three-time SEC champion sprinter at the University of Georgia. At a school where sports like football reign supreme, Boling ended his collegiate track career with more than 230,000 Instagram followers, a testament to his individual fame as a track athlete.

“Once I was able to actually establish myself as a track athlete that can show up and run fast, I was able to actually gain a community of supporters who are interested in seeing my everyday life,” Boling said. “What I might be doing off the track, how I cook, what I eat, and how I get ready for competition, as well as my actual competition days.”

Throughout high school, Boling created viral clip after viral clip. From breaking records to accomplishing amazing feats, he eventually took home the Gatorade 2019 Boys Track Athlete of the Year Award.

In the ever-changing world of college sports, he then established himself as track and field’s next big name, even helping the USA win the 4×400 mixed relay with a World Record at the 2023 World Championships.

“Those videos that had gone viral, those were great and capturing the audience,” he added.

Giving Back

However, it is not strictly about running for Boling. He has alternate plans that have stemmed from his success on the track, most notably in the world of philanthropy.

“I did a lot of things like going and volunteering myself that didn’t involve money,” Boling said. “But once I was actually able to make money, I was able to do some donation stuff and help the middle schools and high schools local to the University of Georgia.”

Name, Image, and Likeness have taken collegiate athletics by storm, and Boling has embraced the potential of using his platform for good. With sponsors like Dunkin’ Donuts, Nike, and Merrell, Boling was able to earn endorsement money through his following and success.

In turn, Boling decided to give back to a community he cares about- the youth.

“I think when I got to college is really when I have to start exploring how I could use my name and image and likeness in order to help others,” he said.

Using his NIL money, the track phenom bought track equipment for local schools in Georgia, providing them with spikes for shoes and other essential items.

Boling’s first pair of spikes got him attached to the sport, and he hopes by providing other kids with the proper equipment he can help build the future of the track community.

“My dream as a kid was to be able to make an impact on the sport of track and field,” Boling said. “And now it’s like, still surreal. Experiencing these moments to where I’m at places, and people are showing me so much love and support.”

Only the Beginning

Now professional, Boling’s dreams are just taking off, and with the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon, he is hoping it is only the beginning.

While he is already experiencing the difficulties of being a professional athlete, the goals are what keep him going. A balance of working hard, nutrition and actually tapping into that inner kid when it is time to relax are what keep Boling in the proper headspace.

“As a kid, you might be struggling with something- school might be hard, personal life might be hard, but you find out those little things that kind of snap back that motivation,” Boling said. “The things that make you want to keep working, so it’s special to think that I may have that impact on someone else.”

Because of his work, Clarke Central High School has new weight room equipment and local middle schools have new uniforms. To be a part of these small moments that contribute to bigger things is what makes it all special for Boling.

Track’s next phenom is making his mark on the youth community through donations of both money and time, but it is only just the beginning. A partnership with Athletes for Hope is only helping his cause.

“I think Athletes for Hope is an amazing resource to be able to help athletes like myself to have these aspirations,” he said. “These dreams of being able to help others to connect to where they want to help and exactly what they want to do.”

Matthew Boling is not only the future of track and field, but he is helping guide those who will come after him. The October Community Hero of the Month is more than a viral clip waiting to happen, he is a game-changer away from the track, making a societal impact day in and day out

AFH Community Hero

Posted: September 6, 2023 Updated: September 6, 2023 by Hannah Bronkema

From competing on ice to community impact

When bobsledder Lauren Brzozowski puts on the red, white, and blue, she realizes that the opportunity she has is not to be taken for granted. In fact, she does not think she is only representing what her nation stands for, but the people within it.

This realization is a driving force in Lauren’s Olympic aspirations, but also her philanthropic work away from the ice track. Through Lauren Brzozowski’s work with Embrace Relief, she has been able to help countless lives. It is for these reasons and more that she is Athletes for Hope’s September Community Hero of the Month.

Lauren Brzozowski speaking before an Embrace Relief 5k walkathon event.

“The main thing I work with [Embrace Relief] on is the 5K walkathon where we try to raise money to rebuild 250 wells in various parts of Africa,” Lauren said.

She has served as an ambassador and honored guest at the walkathon for the past two years to support Fountains of Hope and the Clean Water Initiative.

Her social media presence, where she has over 70,000 followers on TikTok and over 15,000 followers on Instagram, has also allowed her to make an impact. She posts personable videos and photos on both platforms and always promotes her charitable work as well.

“The greatest thing about working with Embrace Relief and my time with Athletes for Hope is that being an athlete, I firmly believe that it’s important to give back to your community whether it’s the one that you live in or on the other side of the world,” Lauren said.

This hunger to give back and inspire others has helped Lauren equip herself with the tools to make a difference. The Clean Water Initiative may be an internationally focused program, but Lauren’s empathy expands beyond the country she represents.

Lauren Brzozowski being interviewed during an Embrace Relief 5k walkathon event.

Lauren understands that while she does travel a lot and is oftentimes working, she can still make time to connect with communities and people in need. Virtually or in-person, she is dedicated to helping others with hands-on work or moral action.

“You can see the impact of your actions in real-time,” Lauren said about the walkathon and other events.

Lauren was once in a gray area athletically, unsure of whether or not she could pursue track and field beyond the collegiate level. She took a risk in transitioning to bobsled and has since become a face of the sport.

Lauren Brzozowski bobsledding at training in Lake Placid.

Speaking to high schools and individual athletes, Lauren continues to help motivate the next generation of performers in sport. Team USA Bobsled makes it a point to do charitable work, and Lauren is as eager as ever to contribute to the betterment of society.

“Understanding what people go through, getting a new perspective on people that you can help in your life,” Lauren said. “I think what [Athletes for Hope] does for communities is amazing.”

She has met many people over the years, from the underprivileged to fellow athletes, to kids, and through each meeting Lauren has learned a lesson.

But one lesson reigns true above them all.

“Never give up, because you never know who you can inspire,” she said.