Causes we care about

Sports Imports is a national sponsor of the Side-Out Foundation, a program committed to unifying the sport of volleyball with its alliance to the movement for breast cancer awareness and education. Side-Out programs help middle school, high school, college, club and professional volleyball players and coaches engage with and support the breast cancer community. Its efforts help underwrite breast cancer clinical trials and research, support community breast cancer organizations and offer camps and clinics for volleyball players that include focus on life skills during times of adversity. The Side-Out Foundation and Sports Imports also team up to highlight select college, high school and club “Dig Pink” events during the nation’s “Dig Pink October Rally” and “Dig Pink Tour.” Athletes wearing pink compete on “pinked out” net systems with special pads and net tapes for their events Host a Dig Pink event or Donate to the Side-Out Foundation

The overarching goal of Motor MVB is to create more opportunities for boys and men to play competitive volleyball.  One of the key areas of the initiative is to expand opportunities for men to play on collegiate teams and to expand the amount of DI and DII teams and DI and DII scholarship opportunities.  – motormvb.com  Learn more or donate to Motor

“The Columbus Dream Center is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to

providing hope to low-income, homeless and under-served individuals and families in Columbus, Ohio.” – columbusdreamcenter.org  Learn more or donate.

The Warrior Games exist to provide an opportunity for athletes to grow physically, mentally and spiritually from the sportsmanship and camaraderie gained by representing their respective service teams in a friendly and spirited competition. It is an opportunity for athletes to showcase their enduring warrior spirit in the presence of their families and a grateful nation. – warriorgames.com  Learn more about the Department of Defense Warrior Games.

Spike for Tykes is a yearly high school boys volleyball tournament benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital. We strive to produce a top notch volleyball tournament while also encouraging everyone to give back to an important cause. – spikefortykes.org  Learn more or donate to Spike for Tykes.

Starlings Volleyball, USA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, believes every girl deserves the opportunity to play club volleyball, regardless of socioeconomic background or level of play. Starlings dues, if any, are a fraction of most junior club costs, with the goal that no girl is turned away because of inability to pay. Beginning in 1996 with a single inner-city San Diego team, Starlings has grown to become the nation’s largest junior volleyball club, serving more than 2,500 girls in more than 50 clubs.

“Kennedy’s Cause is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Corporation is founded on the belief that what is most important is recognizing the inner beauty in everyone and is committed to raising awareness of Lymphatic Malformation by spreading the message of “Let your inner beauty SHINE.” Through fundraising events, selling merchandise and community service, the Corporation strives to find ways to touch those with Lymphatic Malformation by supporting research for a cure and lending support to families with children dealing with related medical issues.” – kennedyscause.com.  Kennedy Hubbard was the inspiration and the first recipient of the Sports Imports/AVCA Courage Award in 2015.  In addition to leading Kennedy’s Cause, she is an active member of the volleyball community.  Learn more about or donate to Kennedy’s Cause.

Flying Horse Farms provides magical, transformative camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and their families–free of charge. Located in scenic Mt. Gilead, Ohio, camp first opened its gates in 2010 and hosts hundreds of happy campers each year. Flying Horse Farms is the first camp in the Midwest to become a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network. Founded in 1988 by actor, philanthropist, and Ohio native, Paul Newman. – flyinghorsefarms.org  Learn more or donate to Flying Horse Farms.

Special Olympics focuses on the individuality of each athlete so that coaches can train and encourage growth in skills and accomplishment. The coaching materials, rules and other resources on this page have been specially prepared for coaches working with people with intellectual disabilities. Coaching Special Olympics athletes calls for the same skills and experience that many coaches are familiar with. The extra information in our coaching guides about working with people with ID is what makes our materials helpful and valuable. – specialolympics.org  Donate to the Special Olympics Unified Volleyball Program.

Bright Futures Atlanta was formed in 2002 in order to promote the spiritual, academic and physical growth of its youth participants and their families through year-round programs. After working with a local non-profit ministry for three years, Philip and Gail Ross (founders) decided to concentrate their efforts on the youth of the community. Since its inception, Bright Futures Atlanta has witnessed under-served youth of the community become self-sufficient, successful young people in college, military and full-time employment. – brightfuturesatl.org  Learn more or donate to Bright Futures Atlanta.

Legacy is a non-profit working globally to redeem, restore, empower and equip those vulnerable to human trafficking, abuse, exploitation and addiction. They are actively working with other organizations and social justice enterprises to raise awareness and cease a network of opportunities for the formerly exploited. The product line, Eleventh Candle Co. was created to directly support the causes derived from our non-profit.  – eleventhcandle.com  Learn more or donate to Legacy.

The 2016 Sports Imports/AVCA Courage award winner Victoria Stoltz was a beautiful young woman with a love for her family, friends, volleyball, and those in need.   She embodied courage and a heart for giving as she battled Glioblastoma.  Victoria found her joy in serving those in need, and chose to use her Make-A-Wish to create a place to serve homeless families in Cincinnati.  Victoria’s House of Hope opened its doors in 2016 and is serving the community Victoria loved.  Tragically, Victoria’s battle with cancer ended last December, but her legacy of giving and serving lives on.  Learn more or donate to Victoria’s House of Hope.