The inaugural Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse season wrapped up Week Three with another round of exciting games. This weekend had a special focus as "Causes Weekend."
One of the unique features of AU Sports is the players get paid based on team and individual performance. A percentage of that money pool goes directly to causes individually selected by each player.
In the media sessions, I talked to several players about their causes. Their passion for the causes was evident as they all spoke, but none more than Dempsey Arsenault, who literally broke down as she talked about End 68 Hours of Hunger.
Players causes is such a great concept. Not only does it raise money for local and national charities, it raises awareness to them, as well. All season, but especially on Causes Week, the various causes were featured and promoted by the players, the league, broadcasters, fans and media. All across social media, players promoted their causes. That translates to millions of eyes on these posts and therefore the causes.
Out of respect to the players and general curiosity, I took the time to look up each charity to learn more about it. Since the players are donating a set percentage of their bonuses to the charities, I figure it is the least I can do to learn more about each. Researching the charities makes you realize the needs of others, the important work people are doing and how fortunate you are. I am pretty sure everyone knows someone affected by the various causes.
AU lists each player's cause on their individual page on the AU website. I have condensed all of them into one list below for ease in research. I highly encourage all to check out the causes. Help out if you can, but at least learn about them.
Dempsey Arsenault, Angie Benson-End 68 Hours of Hunger
Kayla Wood, Caylee Waters, Britt Read, Sammy Jo Tracy, Marie McCool, Halle Majorana, Becca Brown, Grace Gabriel-Harlem Lacrosse
Taylor Cummings, Kristen Carr, Molly Little, Mary Kate Bonanni-One Love Foundation
Kady Glynn, Taryn VanThof, Shayna Pirreca, Hayey Hicklen, Sydney Pirreca-Friends of Jaclyn
Kylie Ohlmiller, Ally Kennedy, Nicole Levy, Sam Apuzzo, Alyssa Parrella, Emily Parros-HEADstrong Foundation
Kayla Treanor-Unity House of Troy, NY
Kenzie Kent, Ella Simkins-Team IMPACT
Alex Aust-The Sports Bra Project
Caroline Wakefield-Preston's League
Haley Warden-Women in Sports Tech
Kyra Pelton-The Out Foundation
Cortney Fortunato-We Fight Like Girls
Kelly McPartland, Taylor Hensh-Zaching Against Cancer Foundation
Amber Hill-Rising Hearts
Kathy Rudkin-GiGi's Playhouse - Annapolis
Megan Douty-Play 4
Taylor VanThof-One Love Foundation
Sarah Brown-NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Holly McGarvie Reilly-Argentina Lacrosse
Amber McKenzie-The Arc of Carroll County
Molly Garrett, Tianna Wallpher-American Cancer Society
Katie O'Donnell-Play Like a Girl!
Izzy McMahon, Katie Hertsch-The Surfrider Foundation
Michelle Tumolo, Britt Brown, Mollie Stevens-CityLax
Lindsey McKone, Katrina Geiger-Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
MC Byrne, Amanda Johansen, Lindsey Ronbeck-Morgan's Message
Katrina Dowd-The Trevor Project
Mira Shane-Black Heart Association
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