Giving Tuesday: Team Gleason, LeBron James Family Foundation, and 5 more worthy causes

We at SB Nation spend a lot of time analyzing what’s happening on the field, field, or field. But we often don’t focus on what elite athletes do for their communities and the world at large.

Today is Giving Tuesday, which is described as “a global movement of generosity that unleashes the power of people and organizations to make a difference in their communities and the world.”

Philanthropy is nothing new in the NFL world. In 2018, Vikings fans donated more than $200,000 to then-Saints punter Thomas Morstead’s charity, What You Give Will Grow, in recognition of Morstead’s sportsmanship. Bills fans started the trend in 2017 when Andy Dalton threw a pass to Tyler Boyd, Bengals beat Ravens and Buffalo returned for first time in 17 years Playoffs. Fans donated $17 to the Andy Dalton Foundation to commemorate the lengthy postseason hiatus.

Bengals fans donated to the Blake Bortles Foundation to thank him and the Jaguars for knocking Cincinnati’s AFC North rival Steelers out of the playoffs. Eagles fans donated to former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer’s foundation as an apology for the way the Vikings were treated when they traveled to Philadelphia for the NFC Championship game after the 2017 season.

These are all good reasons to donate to a rival player or coach’s foundation — but at the same time, do we really need a reason, especially on Giving Tuesday? Here are details about several athletes’ philanthropic efforts and how you can support these efforts today and every day.

Team Gleason

Quinn: Steve Gleason, former New Orleans Saints safety

what are they doing: Steve Gleason’s motto is “No white flags,” and it’s a motto he had to remember during his long battle with ALS. The Gleason team improves the quality of life for those battling this devastating disease by providing assistive technology, equipment, adventure and support services to patients and their families.

Donate: Click here to view the Canal Street Chronicle’s fundraiser for Gleason’s team below.

Coping with ALS

Quinn: Former Falcons linebacker Tim Green

what are they doing: In addition to being an eight-year starting linebacker for the Falcons, Green has published several novels on the New York Times bestseller list and is an attorney, broadcaster, television host, husband, father and grandfather. He is a renaissance man who happens to have ALS and is doing everything he can to fight ALS while also helping pave a gentler path for others with ALS to increase access to effective opportunities for treatment and identify effective therapies to improve the quality of care. Helping ALS patients regain their lives and ultimately find a cure.

Donate: Click here to view The Fanol’s fundraiser for Tackle ALS.

LeBron James Family Foundation

Quinn: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

what are they doing: James’ foundation not only supports students in need through his “I Promise” schools, which created a new model for urban public education. They also support families by helping secure safe housing, providing financial literacy classes and more.

Donate: Click here.

raycliffe center

Quinn: Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves 1B

what are they doing: Olson’s lifelong friend, Reece Blankenship, is autistic and nonverbal. When they were in high school, Olson became Reese’s applied behavior analysis therapist, but his help and support of the autism community didn’t stop there.

When Reese began dreaming of opening a fitness therapy center for other people with autism in his hometown, Matt was the first to pledge $5,000 to help launch the company. ReClif was founded in 2017 with a mission to change the conversation around autism by empowering, accepting, supporting and advocating for people on the autism spectrum.

In 2019, ReClif established ReClif Community, a non-profit organization that aims to provide people with autism and those who care for them the opportunity for a more typical life experience. ReClif Community also intends to empower beneficiaries through awareness-focused activities, social outreach, scholarships and social inclusion. In January 2023, Matt and his wife Nicole hosted the inaugural Casino Night at Truist Park, raising over $250,000 for ReClif Community to continue their work in the autism community. They plan to replicate this event in 2024.

Donate: Click here

15 and Mahomes

Quinn: patrick mahomes

what are they doing: The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of children. The foundation supports initiatives focused on health, wellness, communities in need of resources and other philanthropic causes. Specific initiatives include “Read for 15,” which fosters a love of reading in children; “Volunteer for 15,” which encourages children to commit to volunteering for at least 15 hours over the summer; and the “15 for 15” signature program, which supports 15 Youth Philanthropy. Initiatives focusing on academics, science, arts, classroom supplies, athletics, children with disabilities, after-school programs, and more.

Donate: Click here

make a wish

Quinn: John Cena

what are they doing: Make-A-Wish is known for helping grant wishes for children with critical illnesses, and superstar John Cena holds the world record for most wishes granted, with over 650. For every wish granted, there is another critically ill child waiting to have their wish granted, and your donation can bring a lot of joy to these children.

Donate: Click here

Chasing M Foundation

Quinn: Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin

what are they doing: You’ve probably heard Hamlin’s name a lot over the past year since he suffered a cardiac arrest on the field during a late-season game against the Bengals. Fans discovered that Hamlin had set up an old GoFundMe to raise money to buy holiday gifts for children in need, and they donated to show their support for Hamlin’s recovery. Hamlin parlayed his horrific, life-threatening experience and recovery into ensuring athletes of all levels have access to the high-quality, life-saving care he received through his CPR training and pushing for widespread use of AEDs like the one that revived him in School. He also continues to run toy drives to bring holiday cheer to children.

Donate: Click here

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