Over the last 10 years, the Glimmer of Hope Foundation has improved more than 2.5 million lives. ATA’s very own Donna and Phillip Berber started Glimmer back in 2000 with the dream of helping millions. Glimmer’s projects provide women, men, and children with clean water, education, access to healthcare, and the opportunity to earn a living.

 

A few weeks ago Coach Brandon Davis traveled to Ethiopia and recently shared some memories with ATA players.

 

“It was a very eye-opening experience to say the least. I never thought I would see children two and three years old walking on the side of the road working full time herding goats and cattle.” Brandon said. “ It’s hard to grasp extreme poverty through pictures, videos, etc. until you actually see it. 95 percent of the people lived in metal shacks with the sides stuffed with hay and mud for insulation.”
  

Brandon visited Abu Dhabi, a village currently being built by Glimmer. Brandon explained that building this village will provide work for the native people and, once done, a sterile environment for people to live. This village will include a health post, clean water, and a school. When I asked Brandon how the Ethiopian people treated him he smiled and said “most of the people there treated me like royalty because I was one of the few Americans they had seen in their lifetime. The look of intrigue on their faces is unlike anything I have ever seen before.”

 

                  

I asked Coach Brandon if he had a different mindset and level of respect for what Glimmer is doing then he had before visiting Ethiopia. “You can truly see the impact Glimmer has on the people of Ethiopia and it is amazing to think of how much better of a place it will be in 10, 20 years with Glimmers continued support. It really makes you appreciate America. We take for granted readily available food, water, light, etc.”

Brandon said he learned a lot visiting Ethiopia and had a great time in doing so. The Glimmer of Hope Foundation has grown drastically since it’s founding a decade ago and continues to grow and prosper. ATA has a big involvement in Glimmer as well, earning a little over $350,000 to build hospitals, wells, and schools.

 

2011 Playing for Glimmer Campaign :  TRI 4 GLIMMER

Coach Estevam Strecker is competing in an Iron Man (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run) later this year in August and thought it would be a good idea to tie it into Glimmer. So ATA players will be participating in the tri-4-glimmer campaign later this year. We will split up the entire iron man amongst players and try to raise as much money for the GOH foundation. People participating in the iron man will receive an email within the next week outlining the event and how to go about getting sponsors. 100% of the money goes to Glimmer and people can sponsor you for however much they want. The dates for the event have not yet been set.

 

Look for this poster in and around ATA.  Sign up to participate and show your support.  If you have additional questions, you may contact Coach Strecker or Josh Hagar.

 

Reporting and writing done by ATA College Prep student Hunter Goertz