August 8st, 2025 – From our friends at GoFundMe
- Robbins CalPark Eagles (Youth Football) – Illinois community raises over $14,000 in three days to replace stolen equipment for 6U & 7U teams
- Yaqub Ibrahim “The Golf King” (Golf) – 6-year-old becomes youngest to qualify for US Kids World Championship, community raises $8,000+ for Pinehurst trip
- Ryley Hunt (Ninja Sport) – Connecticut teen with scoliosis reaches $1,000 goal to compete at Youth Championship in Florida
- A.I. duPont High School Football (Football) – Delaware coach raises $5,000 to revitalize program that hasn’t finished a season in recent years
- Yuri Petrova (Gymnastics) – Charlotte community raises $2,600+ to keep 13-year-old two-time national champion enrolled after father’s death from cancer
Welcome to another Feel Good Friday, where we celebrate the stories that remind us why youth sports matter far beyond wins and losses. Today’s spotlight features five remarkable fundraising campaigns that showcase how communities are supporting youth athletics through grassroots fundraising.
These stories highlight the creative ways coaches, parents, and communities are addressing specific challenges their young athletes face. From replacing stolen football equipment to supporting young champions facing family tragedy, from helping the youngest golf qualifier reach a dream tournament to revitalizing struggling programs, these campaigns demonstrate the power of community support when young athletes need help most.
What makes these stories particularly compelling is their diversity across sports, age groups, and circumstances. We see communities rallying around everything from emergency equipment replacement to supporting athletes with physical challenges. Each campaign addresses a specific need, yet they all share a common thread: communities stepping up to support dedicated young athletes when they need it most.
Let’s dive into five stories that exemplify this community-powered approach to youth athletics.
Robbins CalPark Eagles: Community Response to Devastating Theft
Just days before the new season was set to start, the Robbins CalPark Eagles Youth Football & Cheer Association faced every coach’s nightmare. A thief broke into their storage shed and stole all of the 6U and 7U teams’ new equipment, including helmets and shoulder pads. Without this essential safety gear, the kids would have no way to take the field.
The Robbins CalPark Eagles have built their reputation on “creating a safe, supportive space for our children to learn and thrive” in this community 25 miles south of Chicago. The theft threatened to derail not just a season, but the dreams of young athletes who had been preparing for months.
“We work hard to give them the tools they need to succeed on and off the field, and this theft is a devastating blow not just to our organization, but to the dreams of these young athletes,” the organization wrote on GoFundMe. “Let’s show these young Eagles that the community has their back.”
The community’s response was swift and decisive. In just three days, more than $14,000 was raised to replace the stolen gear. This amount provides enough funding to replace all the safety equipment the kids need to play, transforming what could have been a devastating end to their season into a story of community resilience.
The Robbins Calpark Eagles will be able to take the field on opening day, all thanks to their community’s support.
Yaqub Ibrahim “The Golf King”: Six Years Old and Pinehurst Bound
Six-year-old Yaqub Ibrahim earned a nickname that perfectly captures his dedication: “The Golf King.” This young golfer from Los Angeles made history by becoming the youngest player to qualify for the US Kids World Championship at the world-famous Pinehurst Resort.
Ibrahim earned his spot through exceptional performance at the US Kids Golf Foundation Southern California State Invitational, where he shot even par on back-to-back days to win the tournament. This achievement opened the door to competing at one of junior golf’s most prestigious venues.
However, qualifying for the championship and actually getting there are two different challenges. Ibrahim’s family started a GoFundMe to help cover travel and lodging costs for the trip to Pinehurst. The community responded enthusiastically, raising more than $8,000 to ensure “The Golf King” could pursue his dream.
The tournament concluded on August 2nd, with Ibrahim finishing tied for 35th place after shooting +13 over three days. Notably, he shot even par on the second day, certainly creating a memory he’ll carry with him as he continues competing at the highest levels of junior golf.
Ryley Hunt: Overcoming Scoliosis to Chase Ninja Dreams
Ryley Hunt is heading to the 2025 Ninja Sport Network Youth Championship in Florida later this month, an achievement that would be remarkable for any young athlete. For this Connecticut teen, the accomplishment carries extra significance because she has scoliosis, a condition that causes twisting of the spine and limits many people’s physical activities.
Hunt has refused to let her condition prevent her from becoming a competitive athlete. Her perspective on the sport reflects both passion and personal growth: “Ninja isn’t just a sport for me, it’s a passion. It teaches me strength, perseverance, and confidence. Competing at the national level pushes me to grow even more, and every bit of support brings me closer to that starting line.”
Like many young athletes who earn spots in major competitions, Hunt faced the financial reality of actually getting there. With her mother’s help, she started a GoFundMe to cover costs associated with the competition.
The community response was strong and swift. Hunt’s GoFundMe quickly reached its goal of $1,000. While it may not seem like a large amount, for a teenager it represents a significant financial hurdle. Each dollar contributed represents a meaningful step toward allowing a young athlete who has overcome physical challenges to chase her championship dreams.
A.I. duPont High School Football: Rebuilding from the Ground Up
Coach Monty Hayman took on one of high school football’s most challenging assignments when he became the new head coach of A.I. duPont High School’s football team. Despite the program’s rich history, recent struggles have been severe. The team has been unable to finish a season in each of the past few years.
Hayman approached this challenge with both realism and optimism. His appeal to the community was both sincere and strategic: “I’m reaching out to you today not just as a coach, but as someone who deeply believes in the power of sports to shape young people’s lives. We don’t want a lack of resources to be a roadblock for these young men.”
Using GoFundMe, Hayman created a revitalization fund for the football program. He has already raised $5,000 to purchase new equipment and other essentials needed to get the team through their two-a-day practices.
For Hayman, this effort extends beyond football equipment and wins and losses. These young athletes have faced disappointment in recent years through no fault of their own. The coach believes that community support will inspire the players and give them confidence to achieve their goals both on and off the field.
“Your support, no matter the size, will make a huge difference in their lives and in the future of this program,” Hayman wrote. “This is a HUGE undertaking, but with your help, we are committed to bringing this program back and giving our players the opportunities they deserve both on and off the field.”
Yuri Petrova: Community Support During Family Tragedy
Yuri Petrova has achieved remarkable success in competitive gymnastics. The 13-year-old from Charlotte has placed first in USA Gymnastics Level 8 Nationals for the past two years in a row, establishing himself as one of the best young gymnasts in North Carolina and throughout USAG Region 4.
However, Yuri recently faced a devastating personal loss when his father, Max, died from cancer. His mother, now widowed and raising her children alone, is working hard to support her family. The costs associated with high-level competitive gymnastics add up quickly, including training costs, competition fees, travel, and transportation expenses.
Recognizing that financial constraints shouldn’t prevent Yuri from reaching his full potential, a teammate’s mother, Charlotte Torres, started a GoFundMe to keep the young champion enrolled in the sport he loves.
“Our community believes in Yuri,” Torres wrote. “We know what he’s capable of, and we want to make sure nothing stands in his way. Thank you for helping this incredible kid continue his journey.”
In just a couple of days, more than $2,600 has been raised to keep Yuri in the gym and training. The campaign represents how athletic communities can help fill voids during times of grief, ensuring that talented young athletes can continue pursuing their goals despite personal tragedy.
