MaxInMotion™ seeks to resolve financial barriers for deserving young athletes

PHOENIX, June 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MaxInMotion™, a new not-for-profit foundation dedicated to helping financially disadvantaged Arizona youth participate in organized sports, launches its website today. MaxInMotion™ will provide much needed financial assistance to youth sports programs for underprivileged children and for the development of programs to include special needs populations in youth sports activities.  Starting today youth organizations from across Arizona can apply for grants and everyone can donate to help young people in their community by visiting www.maxinmotion.org.

MaxInMotion™ was founded in memory of Max Shacknai, who embodied the ideal young athlete: passionate, hard working, and incredibly committed to his teammates.  Upon sharing the news in honor of Max's birthday today Jonah Shacknai, Max's father and MaxInMotion™ President, said, "MaxInMotion™ will provide children from financially constrained families with opportunities to participate in organized sports to learn important life skills such as teamwork, commitment and the value of health and fitness. We believe it will create a long-lasting community impact."

Importantly, participation in youth sports enhances community values, interdependency, and collective responsibility.  Physical fitness prevents childhood obesity and has also been linked to reducing school dropout rates, teen pregnancy and high-risk behaviors, all of which pose tremendous consequences to our society.

MaxInMotion™ will be a strong financial ally to non-profit organizations that enroll children regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnic background, and special needs in recreational or competitive level teams.  Selected organizations must support soccer, baseball, basketball, or hockey, and emphasize character development, teamwork, academic excellence, and self-respect.

MaxInMotion™ has forged partnerships with two of the major sports franchises in Arizona, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and Phoenix Suns Charities, to combine with their skills and experience in supporting youth sports.  In addition, the Foundation has developed a partnership with Arizona Youth Soccer Association and major hockey clubs and organizations throughout Arizona, so that participation in these important sports may also be promoted. 

The debut is timely given all of the cuts to school sports programs and the ever-shrinking budgets of community athletic programs. As a result there is a dire need to support youth in low-income communities who have drastically limited opportunities. 

SOURCE MaxInMotion