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 About
Play for Life International
Play for Life International uses sports to engage and empower at-risk
youth to uplift, connect and build peace. We believe we can change more
than a moment; we can change the game. We are dedicated to helping youth
build stronger communities and better lives for themselves. We reinforce
our commonalities and empower youth through convening power of sport.
Our Practice:
We engage and empower at-risk youth through sustainable and substantive
programming including sport-specific programs, in school and after school
programs, and the coordination of equipment donation.
Our Principles:
To build character and self-esteem
To foster respect
To encourage healthy lifestyles that include physical activity and healthy
eating
To grow a sense of community
Since our inception in 2007, Play for Life International has worked with
over 700 children across Chicago. The organization is growing each year,
driven by our strong volunteer base and very little staff. This year,
we plan to reach 500 children, providing sports programming that also
teaches life lessons and skills needed to be successful on and off the
field. We believe passionately in the transformative power of sport. Time
and again we see the children in our programs find purpose and direction,
becoming more future-oriented and hopeful. That is what we are here for
and exactly why we exist.
Sheri Rosenbaum came to us through the WomenonCall.org website and immediately
put together a comprehensive marketing plan that will inform our marketing
initiatives throughout the year. Sheri brings great insight, experience,
and energy to everything she does. She is helping bring legitimacy and
structure to our organization. With the help of volunteers like Sheri,
Play for Life International is able to reach more and more children through
our sports programming. Her service to our organization helps us maximize
our outreach and dedicate our resources wisely.
 About
Sheri Rosenbaum
For the past seven years Sheri Rosenbaum has volunteered as the publicity
chairperson for the Wheeling Wheelmen, one of the largest cycling clubs
in Chicago. For the last five years Sheri also volunteered as a swim angel
at the annual Danskin Triathlon, helping participants swim the ½
mile across Lake Andrea. These and other volunteer opportunities were
rewarding, but she was looking for something else, something unique.
With a very busy schedule of working full time at Dell, in their online
group, as well as triathlon training, she had a need for a virtual volunteer
opportunity. After months of looking for the “right fit”, a
friend told her about an article she had seen in a local newspaper about
WomenOnCall.org’s recent Meet & Match event. Since the event
had passed, Sheri registered on the site and within minutes found the
perfect virtual volunteer opportunity. Play for Life International (PFLI)
was looking for someone to help develop a marketing strategy, revamp collateral
materials and their web site, as well as miscellaneous marketing functions.
It was fate…marketing & online (Sheri has both a BS and MBA in
Marketing as well as 24 years experience), sports (as an athlete, Sheri
believes exercise and fitness is an important component in life at any
age) and the “cherry on the sundae” was PFLI uses sports to
engage and empower at-risk youth to uplift, connect and build peace.
 Excited
about finding the perfect opportunity, Sheri contacted Eun Jung Decker,
Executive Director at PFLI. After the first phone call with Eun and discovering
the great things PFLI has accomplished in just two years, Sheri knew this
was what she had been looking for. After volunteering for PFLI for just
a month, she has prepared a marketing plan and presented it to Eun as
well as one of the board members. Now she’s ready to help implement.
On April 3rd, Sheri will attend the Season Opener, PFLI’s annual
fund-raiser and will meet the rest of the board members, other volunteers
and a number of the children that this organization has helped. PFLI has
“Changed the Game” for Sheri.
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