Grifball Gives Back is a feature of Grifballhub.com highlighting extraordinary Grifballers who are active on the court and in their communities. Grifballers are encouraged to submit their community service experiences to and include pictures from the event and the name of the benefiting organization (if applicable).

Submissions will be written up on a monthly basis and posted on GrifballHub. This month’s article reflects on community service enacted during the month of May.

In addition to the Grifball Gives Back feature, there is a Grifball Gives Back event planned for this fall (possible dates include the last Saturday in September or the first Saturday in October). The goal of this event is to organize a day of community service where Grifball players across the U.S. and Canada go out and make a difference. The following Sunday, a celebratory bum rush tournament will be held to thank all the participants.

For the first edition of Grifball Gives Back, I am highlighting Grifball’s commissioner PP MooCow PP, Pro League Administrator LBCountry and the gentleman who initially inspired this project, Amateur League Administrator HighlndHellrazr.

PP MooCow PP participated in Beautiful Day, a community project coordinated by his church to revitalize and beautify a local elementary school. He spent his day hauling wheelbarrows full of dirt, unloading furniture and digging holes for new trees and flowers to be planted.

The day took a lot of energy and I have some massive blisters on my hands, but it was worth it. ~ Moocow

Pro League Administrator Adam Pisani participated in Relay for Life, a 12 hour walk and all day event to raise money for cancer research. The run itself lasted from 7 PM to 7 AM, and unsurprisingly Adam was among the few who never slept. Late night Grifball was all the training he needed for this Relay. One of the most rewarding experiences for Adam occurred during a break in the relay when walkers had the opportunity to meet and speak with the hundreds of cancer survivors present. One survivor had lost her leg and her hair during her treatment, but had returned to the Relay in 2008 on one leg, two crutches and was back again this year to lead the opening ceremonial Survivor’s Lap with her new prosthetic leg and full head of hair. Adam highly encourages participation in Relay for life and supporting other cancer research organizations so that inspiration stories such as this can continue to come true.

HighlndHellrazr and 15 of his coworkers volunteered for the Special Olympics in Washinton, DC. His time was dedicated to refereeing dozens of 5 vs 5 youth soccer games. Despite the overbearing heat and the painful sunburn he received, Highlnd had nothing but positive things to say about his experience.

This day turned out to be one of the most rewarding of my life! When people think of sports they think of competing, money, endorsements, etc. There isn’t a professional sport out there that seems to be for anything but the money. Boy, we couldn’t have been further from that yesterday! – HighlndHellrazr

As mentioned, Highlnd was the inspiration for Grifball Gives Back and I enthusiastically support his belief that, “If I can get even one person interested in volunteering for such an event I’ll have done myself proud!”

Volunteer information in your area can be found at:

• www.onebrick.org
• www.idealist.org
• www.volunteermatch.org

Be sure to check out your local newspaper, animal shelter and other non-profit organizations in your area for volunteer opportunities.