Our 2021 Softball Athletes and their Causes

1% For The Planet: 1% for the Planet is a global organization that exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. We inspire businesses and individuals to support environmental nonprofits through membership and everyday actions.

• Britt Vonk
• Sara Groenewegan

4MOM: The diagnosis of Suzy Bishop with Early Onset Alzheimer’s prompted Braden and Hunter Bishop to start the 4MOM Charity. Our mission is to unite professional athletes, coaches, patients, caregivers and our community in the fight for the world’s first survivor of Alzheimer’s, by advancing awareness, supporting caregivers and funding research. A lot of hands have joined in the fight and we have been working hard across the country to promote our cause. While there is always more that can be done to help the Alzheimer’s community, there is no doubt that we are making a significant impact towards the world’s first survivor of Alzheimer’s. 

• Sis Bates

Alzheimer’s Association: The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

• Anissa Urtez

American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society’s mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.

• Amanda Sanchez
• Jessica Burroughs

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide.

• Haylie Wagner

Athletes in Action: Total Athletes build here – a global community to develop athletes physically, mentally and spiritually.

• Ali Aguilar
• Carrie Eberle
• Bubba Nickles

Autism Society of America: The Autism Society of America has been improving the lives of all affected by autism for over 50 years and envisions a world where individuals and families living with autism are able to maximize their quality of life, are treated with the highest level of dignity, and live in a society in which their talents and skills are appreciated and valued. We provide advocacy, education, information and referral, support, and community at national, state and local levels through our strong nationwide network of Affiliates.

• Jessie Warren

The Baller Dream Foundation: The Baller Dream Foundation exists to lift the spirits of brave young warriors and their families affected by cancer.

• Sydney Romero

BEE Daring Foundation: (fiscal sponsor: Moneytalks Fiscal Foundations) Our mission is to inspire others and grow our diverse community, who share a common goal; to change the conversation, shed labels, break down barriers, and eliminate the stigma around mental health. We show people they are not alone by providing the tools and support to help them find their worth, value, and their gifts to give to society.

• Samantha Show

Books Between Kids Houston: Books Between Kids is a non-profit organization serving Houston’s at-risk children by providing them with books to build their own home libraries. 

• Tori Vidales

Boys and Girls Club of Columbus: Youth Development Agency that changes the lives of youth daily!

• DJ Sanders

Ella Baker Center for Human Rights: We are named after Ella Baker, a brilliant, Black hero of the civil rights movement. Following in her footsteps, we organize with Black, Brown, and low-income people to shift resources away from prisons and punishment, and towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong. 

• Jazmyn Jackson

FibroFighters Foundation: Slaying the Fibrolamellar Beast Together.

• Jessie Harper

Friends of Jaclyn Foundation: Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ) aims to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers by pairing them with a team, club or community group.

• Amanda Lorenz
• Aubree Munro

Friends to the Forlorn: Friends to the Forlorn Pitbull Rescue, Inc. is a volunteer-based 501(c)3 rescue and community outreach organization. Our mission is to promote responsible pitbull ownership, provide breed education, combat pet overpopulation, fight unfair legislation, find qualified homes for sound pitbull-type dogs and other dogs in need in Georgia, and help people and animals within our community.

• Megan Wiggins

Frosted Faces Foundation: Frosted Faces Foundation is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that delivers the promise of family and quality veterinary care for senior animals whose love and lives are in jeopardy.

• Danielle O’Toole Trejo

Geaux Teal Ovarian Cancer Awareness Foundation: Geaux Teal’s mission is to raise awareness for women of all ages about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.

• Sahvanna Jaquish

GiGi’s Playhouse: GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center, provides free educational and therapeutic-based, purposeful and progressive programs, for individuals with Down syndrome of all ages and their families.

• Dejah Mulipola

Girls Who Code: Girls Who Code is an international non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does.

• Sami Williams

Help One Now: Help One Now is an international nonprofit organization devoted to creating local solutions to end extreme poverty around the world.

• Janie Reed

Histiocytosis Association: The Histiocytosis Association is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the unique needs of patients and families dealing with the effects of histiocytic disorders, connecting patient and medical communities around the world with the resources and education they need while also being at the forefront of funding of research in the search for a cure.

• Taran Alvelo

Justice for a Cure: Heroes working together with communities to educate, to aid cancer warriors/caregivers and to support cancer research to find the cures.

• Nicole Newman

Kids Korral/The Toby Keith Foundation: The Toby Keith Foundation encourages the health and happiness of pediatric cancer patients and supports OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home for children battling cancer.

• Caleigh Clifton

Kim’s Open Door: Kim’s Open Door is a 501(c)(3) in Jacksonville, Florida that teaches life skills and inspires at-risk kids to dream through education, the arts, nutrition and community events.

• Michelle Moultrie

Lone Survivor Foundation: Lone Survivor Foundation provides support for wounded service members, their spouses, children, and care partners by empowering them with helpful techniques and tools addressing Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), Chronic Pain, and Care Partner Stress. Lone Survivor Foundation restores, empowers, and renews hope for our wounded service members and their families through health, wellness and therapeutic support.

• Sam Fischer

Luv Michael: Luv Michael trains, educates, and employs autistic adults at their bakery in NYC. In 2020, they launched a student volunteer program to advocate for autism acceptance. They currently have over 10,000 volunteers in 26 countries.

• Jordan Roberts

Mia Stokes Foundation: Mia’s life was lived giving back to others and our mission is to keep her memory alive by giving back to others in need and others affected by drunk driving.

• Taylor McQuillin

Morgan’s Message: Morgan’s Message strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. We aim to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone.

• Ciara Bryan

NAACP Legal Defense Fund: Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans.

• Aleshia Ocasio

Natasha Watley Foundation: The Natasha Watley Foundation (NWF) was founded by two-time Olympic medalist Natasha Watley to create opportunities for girls in under-served communities to learn and play the game of softball. NWF uses the medium of sport to inspire young women to reach their full potential while fostering character development and awareness of social issues that affect women.

• Amanda Chidester
• Hannah Flippen
• Kelsey Stewart
• Morgan Zerkle
• Odicci Alexander
• Shelby Pendley
• Vic Hayward

National PKU Alliance: The mission of the National PKU Alliance is to improve the lives of individuals with PKU and pursue a cure.

• Alyssa Denham

Operation Underground Railroad: Operation Underground Railroad exists to rescue children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. 

• Erika Piancastelli
• Riley Sartain

OUT Foundation: The OUT Foundation’s mission is to remove the barriers that block LGBTQ+ individuals’ access and participation in health, wellness, and fitness to ensure their success. We are dedicated to nurturing, empowering, and celebrating LGBTQ+ bodies and minds to guarantee that our community thrives.

• Gwen Svekis

The Pink Fund: The Pink Fund provides financial support to help meet basic needs, decrease stress levels, and allow breast cancer patients in active treatment to focus on healing while improving survivorship outcomes. Our 90-day grant program allows us to meet their critical expenses for housing, transportation, utilities and insurance.

• Kelsey Harshman
• Lilli Piper

Play Like A Girl!: Play Like a Girl!® leverages the skills gained from sport to propel young women into competitive, male-dominated careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

• Haylie McCleney

Players for Pits: Players for Pits guiding mission is to save discarded pit bull type dogs that end up at our local open access animal controls in Chicago and the suburbs. We strive to give dogs another chance to become an integral part of our communities by matching them with families that will advocate and love them for forever. Our goal is to decrease the amount of pit bull type dogs dying in our local shelters and help Chicago & the entire nation become no-kill.

• Katiyana Mauga
• Kayla Wedl

RBI Austin: RBI Austin exists to engage and develop inner-city Austin youth athletically, academically, and spiritually, empowering them to lead the transformation of their communities.

• Cat Osterman
• Nadia Taylor
• Randi Rupp

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicago: The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana exists so families can get better together.

• Abby Ramirez

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay: At Ronald McDonald House Tampa Bay we provide the meals, accommodations, and support for families with children receiving life changing medical treatment

• Aliyah Andrews

Seattle Children’s Hospital (Neurology, Biochemical Genetics): At Seattle Children’s, we’re united by a compelling mission: We provide hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible.

• Courtney Gano

The Sports Bra Project: The Sports Bra Project (TSBP) increases access to sports by providing sports bras to girls & women in areas where the lack of access to this basic piece of equipment can prevent participation. By supporting female athletes’ needs, TSBP works to increase access to sports and normalize the needs and experiences of female athletes.

• Sashel Palacios

Step Up for Mental Health: Step Up For Mental Health® is a peer-to-peer advocacy group providing support, assistance, and educational services to empower families living with the challenges of mental health-related issues and its impact on families.

• Morgan Howe

The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people.

• Taylor Edwards

University of Texas Foundation for the MD Anderson Cancer Center: We make a tremendous difference in the lives of cancer patients with innovative cancer patient care, research, education and prevention programs.

• Amber Fiser