Here's the video from the Fox News Live interview. Thank you again for your support for my new book Live to Give. Check out Austingutwein.com to order.
Be Sure to tune in to Fox News Live on Monday, August 6th at 8am to hear Austin Gutwein talk about his new book, Live to Give. The Link is www.live.foxnews.com.
An interview with Austin Gutwein, Author of "Live to Give"
Austin Gutwein has a message to share with his fellow teens: God made each of you unique so that He can use you for a special purpose. In his book “Live to Give: Letting God Turn Your Talents into Miracles”, Gutwein challenges that regardless of age and talent, God can use you to make a difference. Though He could do it all Himself, God created humankind with a mission: to take care of His creation.
Q: You start off Live to Give talking about how God does not need us, but He wants to use us to help others and take care of His creations. It’s a profound thought. How did you come to this realization?
A: To be honest, just reading about the creation of the world in Genesis made me realize just how incredible God is. God is so amazingly powerful, and the Bible shows us this many times. It just hit me one day while reading through the Bible, God doesn't need me, or any of us for that matter, but He wants to use us. Sure God could solve all the world’s problems without having to think about it, but each of us were created for a purpose. We are made in the image of a perfect God and when we use what God has given us to make a difference, incredible things happen.
Q: What are some of the ways that God used young people in the Bible?
A: God has been in the business of using young people for a while. For instance, the great King David was just a "shepherd boy" when God used Him to slay a giant with a rock. What modern day "giants" does God have for us?
Q: How do we figure out what our unique gift is? Can we always turn it into a talent for God?
A: It's simple. What has God made us good at? Or even if we aren't necessarily good at it, what do we enjoy? There are so many ways to turn our gifts into a work for God. There are always people that can be helped by your unique gifts. What are some examples? Say you are great at math—there are some people who could use a tutor. If you are good at creating art, there is a retirement home in your town that would love some artwork to display. Maybe you are good at music: the world is always looking for people to help others worship God with music. Even if you are good at jumping on a pogo stick, I am sure you have a neighbor down the street who would love a good role model to teach him/her. Whatever it is God has gifted you with, use it for it Him.
Q: You encourage kids to embrace their uniqueness – inside and outside. Why is that such an important part of being able to Live to Give?
A: We have all heard the phrase "cookie cutters" and the truth is, we aren't all the same. It is a great thing! I wouldn't love cookies if they all looked, tasted, and smelled the exact same. We all have many gifts and talents that are unique to us. That is what makes you, you! When we embrace it, we can do so much for God because we are happy with what God gave us.
Q: Explain the lunchbox analogy that you use in the book. How can adults, as parents, teachers, youth workers help kids and teens find what’s in their lunchbox?
A: The lunch box analogy is from John 6 with the feeding of the 5000. We are told of a boy who is pulled from the crowd by Andrew, and Jesus uses this boy's meal to feed the entire crowd. The miracle happens because this boy is just willing to let God use what he has. I believe the analogy applies to the gifts and talents that God has given us in our "lunch." When we are willing to let God use that lunch, miracles can and will happen!
Adults can help students find what is in their lunch by asking thought provoking questions and pointing out the gifts they have. The best way anyone can help is encouragement. Encouraging the youth to just do something, anything, to make a difference!
Q: What inspired you to start Hoops of Hope? How old were you at the time?
A: In the spring of 2004, when I was 9 years old, I watched a video that showed children who had lost their parents to AIDS. After watching the video, I realized these kids weren’t any different from me except that they were suffering. I felt God calling me to do something to help them.
I decided to shoot free throws, and on World AIDS Day, 2004, I shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during my day at school. Friends and family sponsored me, and I was able to raise almost $3,000. That year, the money was used to provide hope to 8 orphan children.
Q: For those who may not be familiar with your ministry, can you tell us about Hoops of Hope and some of the projects you’ve been able to accomplish over the past 8 years?
A: Hoops of Hope is the biggest basketball shoot-a-thon in the world, much like a walk-a-thon, but more fun! You can join thousands of participants and teams from around the world that shoot free throws for children in need. Every dollar raised will go directly to the project you select to help these children. Every free throw will literally help keep children from becoming orphans.
Over the past eight years, Hoops of Hope has turned into the largest free throw marathon in the world with an estimated 40,000 people in more than 25 countries participating. By doing something as simple as shooting free throws, Hoops of Hope participants have raised close to $3 million. The efforts have led to the construction of the only high school in a rural region in Southern Zambia, four dormitories, two medical clinics, a computer laboratory, multiple water projects as well as the funding of a dormitory at an orphanage in Kenya and a school in India.
Q: Where are some of the places you have been able to visit and help out firsthand?
A: I have had the chance to travel firsthand to Zambia, Africa five times now. Each time I am blown away by the realization that something as simple as basketball is literally saving lives half way across the world.
Q: Have other kids/teens contacted you with their stories of making a difference? Is there one that really stood out to you?
A: Yes, many students have shared their stories with me. I love getting the chance to hear the message of Live to Give actually lived out in people lives. One story I love sharing is about a girl who decided to use her gift of knitting to knit 20 blankets. Those 20 blankets are now in Zambia providing warmth to new babies and their mothers. Because she used her gift, people have warmth. That is the true message, using what you have in your lunch to show God's love to the world.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Young Philanthropist to speak...
Young philanthropist to speak at Snoqualmie Church on the Ridge
JULY 16, 2012 · 9:35 AM
Austin Gutwein, who believes anyone, no matter what their age or skill, can make a difference, will give a special presentation Wednesday, July 18, 6:30 p.m. at Snoqualmie’s Church on the Ridge, 35131 S.E. Douglas Ave.
Gutwein is the founder of Hoops of Hope, an organization dedicated to helping African children affected by AIDS. Each Hoops of Hope fundraiser, including the one held in Snoqualmie last March, is a basketball-shooting event, in which participants, mainly children, obtain sponsorships to raise money for the organization.
The organization formed after Gutwein, in the spring of 2004, saw a video about children who lost their parents to AIDS. He decided to shoot free throws on World AIDS Day, 2,057 of them, to represent the number of African children who would be orphaned that day because of AIDS. Friends and family sponsored him, and he raised almost $3,000 which World Vision used to help eight orphan children.
Be sure to check out Austin's Facebook page to preview the launch video for Live to Give. You can also download 3 free chapters of the book. Thank you for your support!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Book Available for Pre Order
Austin Gutwein's new book is now available for Pre-Order at Amazon.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
8th Grader HOH
Shooting free throws to help others
Local youth organizes event that raises $2,100 to help Afircan children
March 19, 2012
By David Swartz - Managing Editor , Estherville Daily News
On Saturday, free throws served another purpose in Estherville.
Estherville Lincoln Central eighth-grader Joshua Olson hosted a Hoops of Hope event which raises money to help children in Africa.
Hoops of Hope was started by a 9-year-old Austin Gutwein raised $3,000 to help orphaned children in Zambia by shooting free throws.
Hoops of Hope is the world's largest free-throw marathon. Similar to a walk-a-thon, participants shoot free throws to raise awareness of and funds for children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
Olson read about Gutwein's story a year ago.
"I knew I wanted to do it, but I didn't have the time," he said.
Over the past Christmas break, he sat down and began organizing the event that was held Saturday.
His goal was to raise $2,000. On Monday, he reported the event raised $2,100.
"All the money goes toward Africa - for schools, hospitals and kids who don't have food," he said.
Olson said all proceeds for a Hoops of Hope event go directly to help African children. The administration expenses are paid with private donations.
At Saturday's Hoops of Hope event, participants shot 1,000 free throws each.
Besides Olson, shooters included Sergio Osornio, Lane Reman, Justin Tegrotenhuis, Eli Tegrotenhuis, Bryce Mann, Brice Hansen, Evan Hansen, Mason McGrauth, Morgan McGrauth, Adam Reiter, Matt Burrell and Tucker Milburn.
Participants began shooting at 8 a.m. and finished around noon at the Iowa Lakes Community College gym in Estherville.
Members of the Iowa Lakes Girls Basketball Team also helped out with the event with some returning early from spring break to rebound for shooters. Between shooters and volunteers, approximately 40 people helped with the event.
Students work on Intel classmate PCs at Johnathan Sim-Chikanta High School in Zambia.
Photo courtesy of Bernd Nordhausen
A shipping container is converted into a computer lab in Zambia. It uses solar power.
A new partnership between World Vision and global technology provider Intel Corporation will introduce new computer laboratories into impoverished schools and communities in the developing world.
The agreement will provide about four computer laboratories each year usingIntel’s classmate PCs and education software.
Intel's rugged classmate PC was specifically designed for students in the developing world.
The software includes programs to help children with writing, drawing, and science, while allowing teachers to easily share content.
The agreement follows Intel and World Vision’s successful installation of a computer lab featuring 22 classmate PCs at Johnathan Sim-Chikanta High School, located in a remote region of southern Zambia.
Many of the school’s students live in extreme poverty in part because they have lost parents and other close relatives to AIDS.
The lab was installed in a refitted shipping container on school grounds and uses solar power. There is no regular electricity supply to the school.
World Vision did all the necessary background preparation for the lab installation, while Intel Education Service Corps (IESC) volunteers donated the technical expertise and training to get it up and running.
Funding for the Johnathan Sim-Chikanta computers came from Hoops of Hope — a charitable youth movement.
The Zambia lab was followed by another lab installed at a rural secondary school in Senegal.
Two additional labs—one in Zambia and another in Senegal—are expected to be installed in May. Labs also are planned in Tanzania and Rwanda.
Julie Clugage, Intel’s global operations and communications manager, says she expects World Vision and Intel will cooperate to install a new computer lab about every three months.
She says it’s exciting to see the interest from World Vision managers from many parts of the world, talking about their plans for introducing technology into communities in their regions.
An Intel team will return to Johnathan Sim-Chikanta High School in May to provide additional training and troubleshoot any problems.
The cost of providing the expertise is covered by Intel.
Lou August, a World Vision technology and development specialist, says the labs also are generally available to the wider community after school hours.
This allows adults to access a huge range of useful information via the Internet, which can improve the health and economic prospects of communities.
The Computer Lab at the Johnathan Sim High School opened in May 2011! Complete with 22 new Classmate PCs, the lab also houses a box called egranary which holds more than 30,000 reference volumes. In summary, the children at the school will have access to more than 30,000 books!. Thank you for your generosity and for being part of Hoops of Hope.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Vermont HOH
WILLISTON, Vt. -- Close to 60 middle and high school students from across the Champlain Valley shot thousands of free throws to support Hoops Of Hope, a non-profit organization that helps orphans in Africa dealing with HIV/AIDS.
Eighth grader Sammi Harvey wasn't just shooting to hone her skills, she was excited to give back to charity.
"It means a lot that I can do what I love to do -- play basketball and help out for this foundation," Harvey said.
The shooting session took place at the Allen Brook School in Williston and Milton Elementary School. Hoops Of Hope was started by a 10-year-old, Austin Gutwein from Arizona in 2004. Athletes raise donations from family members and neighbors and then play basketball to support the needs of children throughout Africa.
"Part of the motto is do something bigger than yourself," organizer Joel Desautels said. "And we can all give a little bit back."
From years past, the money has gone to building everything from a high school to medical labs in Africa.
"I've always wanted to go and do missionary work, but I know that I'm too young and I can't do that. So just this way i'm also doing that and being a part of it," Rice Memorial freshman Gemma Cirignanno said.
If you would like to support this cause, you can go to hoopsofhope.org or make a donation through pt360coop.com.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
American School in Doha Hoops of Hope
Incredibly proud of the difference the American School in Doha is making! Check out the article below:
ASD pupils raise QR11,000 for HIV orphans in Africa
A section of the participants at the second annual Hoops of Hope Fundraiser at ASD on Thursday
A group of 52 students from the American Schoolof Doha (ASD) has raised in excess of QR11,000 through the institution’s second annual Hoops of Hope Fundraiser on Thursday.
Hoops of Hope, described as the biggest basketball shoot-a-thon in the world, is a charity, founded by American Austin Gutwein, to help children in Africawho have been orphaned by HIV/Aids.
According to Hoops of Hope, the United Nations estimates that every 14 seconds, another child loses his or her parents due to HIV/Aids somewhere in the world.
This means that each day over 6,000 children join the 15mn children worldwide who have already lost one or both parents to this disease.
The fundraiser works on a sponsorship basis where participants are either sponsored with either a one-time donation, or receive funds based on the number of basketball shots that they successfully make.
ASD’s International Baccalaureate (IB) students Elias Baaklini and Hussam Zbeeb, along with their teacher sponsor Trevor Dufresne, organised this year’s event.
Figuring prominently in their Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) component of their IB Diploma Programme, this was their CAS Project, a student-driven initiative that must address two areas of CAS, in this case creativity and service.
Speaking about service learning in particular, Sharon BoyleWoods, ASD’s IB Co-ordinator said: “I am most proud of service activities, such as this, that are student initiated and run. This is the type of leadership ASD wants to promote.”
All of the money raised will go to help Hoops of Hope support projects acrossAfrica, all focusing on children that have been orphaned by HIV/Aids.
It was in the spring of 2004, that Gutwein watched a video that showed children who had lost their parents to Aids.
He decided to shoot free throws and on World Aids Day, 2004, he shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during his day at school.
Friends and family sponsored Gutwein and he was able to raise almost $3,000. That year, the money was used by World Vision to provide hope to eight orphan children.
Ever since, thousands of people have joined Gutwein in Hoops of Hope. By doing something as simple as shooting free throws, Hoops of Hope participants have raised over $2mn.
The children left behind by Aids now have access to food, clothing, shelter, a new school, four dormitories, and two medical testing facilities which he was told would save an entire generation.
A second school is now under construction.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Swimming for Clean Water
After reading Take Your Best Shot, Erick Skaff of Michigan decided to swim 10 miles to raise awareness and funds for clean water. Check out the video. Way to go Erick!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Great Event in Cleveland
Friday, July 30, 2010
Delaware County Daily Times
Hoops of Hope at King of Prussia Mall will raise money and test free-throw shooting skills.
Published: Friday, July 30, 2010
KING OF PRUSSIA —- The Hoops of Hope All-Star event —- described as the “world’s largest free throw festival” —- comes to the King of Prussia Mall this Saturday to raise money for AIDS orphans in Africa.
Much like a walk-a-thon, only with basketball free throws, the event will bring together over 1,200 free throw shooters of all abilities attempting over 600,000 shots.
The goal of the event is to raise over $200,000 to provide education, health care and economic development to AIDS orphans and their communities in Africa.
The idea came about in 2003 when a little boy named Austin Gutwein decided he wanted to make a difference in the world after seeing a video about a young girl in Zambia who lost her family to AIDS. Austin, then 9, took his love of basketball and found a way to help people half a world away. The Hoops of Hope founder is expected to be on hand Saturday, participating in the event. He is the co-author of “Take Your Best Shot,” the story of the start of the event and his experiences in helping orphans in Africa.
All participants in Saturday’s competition will register for $29.95 and pledge $150 to receive a free event t-short, goodie bag from sponsors and a ticket to the “Concert for the Cause.”
This family-friendly festival is open to the public and the eventing concert will feature Dave Barnes, Francesca Battisetelli and The Afters. There will be a Kid Zone with inflatable games and entertainment in addition to a Basketball Challenge with contests and lots of cool prizes.
Hoops of Hope is based in Mesa, Ariz., produced by the Synergy Production Group of Franklin, Tenn. Since its inception, thousands of people from 17 countries have participated in the Hoops of Hope, raising over $1.8 million to date.
For more information on the event, entertainment and registration, checkwww.hopesforhopeallstars.com on the web.
Monday, July 26, 2010
All Stars This Weekend!
The All Stars Tour is this weekend! Be sure to join us at the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania. Shoot-a-thon begins at 10am. Concert at 7pm. See you there!
Register at www.hoopsofhopeallstars.com
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Richland teen on target at 'charity' stripe
RICHLAND -- Richland graduate Gina Ojeda is embracing this era of the global village, where a local Bomber can make an impact half a world away -- in Africa.
Ojeda, 18, is the primary planner of the Tri-City area's Hoops of Hope free-throw shooting event scheduled to begin at noon on July 10 at Carmichael Middle School in Richland.
"I always wanted to help or change the world somehow and found this (Hoops of Hope) through a Christian concert I went to," Ojeda said.
Hoops of Hope was founded in 2004 by Austin Gutwein, then a 9-year-old, in an effort to raise funds for and awareness of African children orphaned by AIDS.
The event has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon. Hoops of Hope fundraisers took place earlier in 2010 in both Qatar and Abu Dhabi and are scheduled later this year in Nigeria.
It has also evolved into a do-it-yourself charitable exercise for both individuals and groups seeking to unite their community in working -- or, to be precise, free-throwing -- toward a common goal.
"I've been impressed with her initiative to go out and contact people and get things done," said Angel Ojeda, Gina's mother. "It's been an awesome learning experience for her."
Gina is quick to note that friends -- including fellow Bomber and 2010 Media Classic participant Jalyn Von Oelhoffen -- are lending time and energy to the project.
The effort has also garnered attention in other media, as Ojeda has made the effort to promote the contest via both an interview at KONA radio and online at hoopsofhopetc.com, where prospective shotmakers can find registration, sponsorship and donation forms.
Ojeda, herself an All-Area first-team golfer, found the radio promotion a novel episode in her public relations endeavors.
"I thought it was fun," she said. "I was nervous at first, but it was fun to experience something like that."
"Businesses have been great," Angel said when asked about area sponsorship.
"She's always been a kid who, when she does something, she gives it her all. When she decides to do it, she just goes for it."
And while Carmichael will be echoing with participants of all levels bouncing basketballs and ringing backboards, little ones should also limber their arms for shooting some hoops.
"I'm going to have little hoops for little kids so that they can participate," Gina said. "People have asked if 5- or 6-year-olds can go, and I decided to get them."
NBC News in Philadelphia recently had Austin on to talk about the All Stars Tour on July 31st at the King of Prussia Mall. Sign up at www.hoopsofhopeallstars.com Watch the video at http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/around-town/events/Teen_Brings_Hoops_of_Hope_to_Town_Philadelphia.html
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Affinity 4
Thank you Affinity 4 for doing a Hoops of Hope event!
Be sure to come out and see Austin on the upcoming Live Life Loud Tour with Hawk Nelson, Group 1 Crew and A Road Less Traveled. Dates are as follows:
April 16, 7pm The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
April 17, 7pm Northwestern College, Orange City, IA
April 18, 7pm Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Weston, WI
April 23, 7pm Immanuel Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake, IL
April 25, 7pm Valparaiso Nazarene Church, Valparaiso, IN
April 30, 7:30pm Wichita Theater, Wichita Falls, TX
May 1, 7pm S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel, Longview, TX
May 2, 6pm San Angelo Convention Center, San Angelo, TX
Go to www.hawknelson.com for more information or to purchase tickets. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Heritage HS Raises $1000
Way to go Heritage High School in Vancouver WA for raising $1000 at their Hoops of Hope event last week!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
44,114 Shots in ONE DAY!
On Saturday, February 6th, kids from the Nappanee Missionary Church gathered and shot 44,114 free throws in ONE DAY at their Hoops of Hope event! And, they raised over $14,000 for orphan children. Way to go NMC Kids in Need program.
Monday, January 18, 2010
School Raises $10,871 including $2500 for Haiti
On Monday, January 18th, nearly 100 students from Gilbert Christian School gave up their day off from school to shoot free throws in honor of orphan children. The students raised $10,871 in pledges to help provide 500 backpacks for children attending the school Hoops of Hope helped to build in 2007. They also raised $2500 to help provide food and supplies for the Hands and Feet Orphanage in Haiti. Way to go GCS Knights!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Urgent - Hope for Haiti!
Hi everyone. I'm sure by now everyone has heard about the devastation from the earthquake in Haiti. If you're looking for a way to help, here's what we're doing at Hoops of Hope: For the next 7 days, we're going to give 100% of everything raised online at hoopsofhope.org to help our friends with the Hands and Feet Orphanage in Haiti. Right now, all 41 children at the orphanage are okay but they'll need food and supplies soon. We want to help and need your help. All you need to do is click on hoopsofhope.org and click the Donate button. 100% of everything raised for the next 7 days will go to help our friends in Haiti. Please spread the word.
Thank you for caring for these children,
austin
Monday, January 4, 2010
First Event in 2010!
Thanks to the Body of Christ Community Church for hosting the first Hoops of Hope event of the new century. The event took place on January 2nd and raised $5700 for orphan children. Check out the link - http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=128118&catid=3
Friday, December 18, 2009
All Star Website
The new Hoops of Hope All Star website is up and open for registrations! We'll be heading to 12 cities this next year and we'd love to see you at one of them or all of them. You won't want to miss out as we attempt to shoot 15 million free throws, one for every child orphaned due to AIDS. Will you join us? Just click the link at the bottom of the page and sign up today.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Final Revolve Tour for 2009
We hope you'll join us this weekend at the Revolve Tour's final stop of 2009 in Norman Oklahoma!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Editorial from Contra Costa Times
Editorial: HIV/AIDS is a humanitarian crisis
MediaNews editorial
Posted: 12/01/2009 12:01:00 AM PST
TODAY IS World AIDS Day. It is not a day for celebration, but rather a call to arms. If ever there was a cause that deserved such a call, HIV/AIDS is it.
Way to go UCONN and University of Nevada - Reno! Both Universities will be hosting Hoops of Hope events on Tuesday, December 1st! Check the Join and Events section of the website to find more information.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
World AIDS Day Week Events
This Tuesday, December 1 is World AIDS Day. Over 15 million children have been left behind because of AIDS. 12 million of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa. This week, more than 50 Hoops of Hope events will take place to help these children. In 2009, over 250 Hoops of Hope events will be held in 15 different countries. To find an event near you, please click the EVENTS tab at hoopsofhope.org.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
All Stars Tour press release
Check out the recent press release on the All Stars Tour in 2010 at http://tinyurl.com/yhrrwt7
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Portland Thursday
If you're in the Portland area, be sure to stop by the Christian Supply Bookstore at 2785 Cedar Hills Blvd in Beaverton from 7pm - 8.30pm. Join Austin, Courtney and K-LOVE Radio shooting hoops to help children in Zambia. Every $25 your raise will provide a backpack full of school supplies for children!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Philadelphia Event
We're coming to Philadelphia this weekend at the Liacouras Center on November 6 and 7th. If you're attending the Revolve Tour, you can shoot hoops with us at the lunch break. Raise $25, bring it with you and supply a backpack full of school supplies for a child in Zambia! See you there. For more details, please go to www.revolvetour.com/hoops.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
700 Club Friday
Be sure to tune in to the 700 Club this Friday to watch an interview with Austin. Check here for local listings. http://tinyurl.com/by4dn
Friday, October 9, 2009
Fort Worth
Hope to see you at the Revolve Tour tonight in Fort Worth! Start time is 7pm.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Take Your Best Shot Award
Congratulations to Todd Hillard and Austin for winning a Moonbeam Award for Take Your Best Shot! For more information on the Moonbeam Awards, go to www.moonbeamawards.com.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
TV this weekend
Tune in this weekend to the Hour of Power show to watch an interview with Austin at the Crystal Cathedral in California. For channel listings, please visit the website at www.crystalcathedral.org.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Special Event in Charlotte
If you're in the Charlotte area, please join us tonight at the Lifeway Christian Bookstore at University Place from 6.30pm - 8.00pm.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Special Event in Baltimore!
If you're in Baltimore this weekend, we're doing a special pre-Revolve Tour event at His Way Christian Bookstore in Ellicott City, Thursday evening from 7 - 8.30pm. We hope to see you there!!!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Crystal Cathedral
If you're in the Southern California area, Austin will be at the Crystal Cathedral Sunday morning at 9.30 and 11.00am. We'd love to see you there.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Revolve Tour - Columbus
Friday evening at 7pm, we'll be at the Revolve Tour's first stop in Columbus Ohio. If you're a teenage girl, join us at the Nationwide Arena tonight and tomorrow for a weekend you won't forget. Tickets are available at the door. Hope to see you there!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Family to shoot free throws at home to support Hoops of Hope
After reading Rich Stearn's book A Hole in our Gospel, Buzz Brockway has decided to participate in Hoops of Hope. He'll be shooting free throws in his driveway with his family on October 10th. http://www.buzzbrockway.com/ Way to go Brockway family!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Alpharetta 1st UMC
Turner Lee and Alpharetta 1st United Methodist Church will be hosting a Hoops of Hope lock in today. Entrance fee is $30 which covers the cost of a ball and t-shirt. Any remaining funds will be given to Hoops of Hope to support the Dorm project in Zambia.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Seattle NBC King 5 TV Report
Thanks to Chris Daniels at King 5 news for spreading the word that anyone can make a difference.
Teen shoots 'Hoops for Hope'
03:42 PM PDT on Friday, September 4, 2009
By / KING 5 News
KING
Austin Gutwein started "Hoops for Hope."
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - Can the game of basketball save lives in Africa?
That's the hope of a 15-year-old boy who has used the game to raise money for AIDs-ravaged countries.
"I had seen a video about a girl who lost her parents to AIDS," said teenager Austin Gutwein. "I couldn't imagine living my life without my parents … I realized I had to do something to make a difference."
The then 9-year-old Phoenix boy started Hoops of Hope, a free-throw shooting marathon and fundraiser designed to raise money for children orphaned by AIDs in Africa. Six years and countless shots later, he's raised a million and a half dollars.
Gutwein teamed up with World Vision, based in Federal Way, and has used the money to build a school and two medical clinics in Africa.
Gutwein spoke to local church congregations last weekend as part of a promotional tour for his new children's book aimed at getting other kids involved. And he plans to keep shooting Hoops of Hope as long as the need is there.
"It's just making a difference, that's what I like to do, helping other people," he said.
Austin is planning on hosting a Hoops of Hope event in the Puget Sound area in March of 2010.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Puyallup, WA This Weekend
If you're in the Puyallup, Washington area this weekend, be sure to stop by and see Austin at the Puyallup Church of the Nazarene Sunday morning at 9am, 10.45am and then join us for a Hoops of Hope event at 7pm.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Focus on the Family
This past week, Alex and Brett Harris were on Focus on the Family and spoke about Hoops of Hope. Alex and Brett are the teen authors of "Do Hard Things" and run the website called The Rebelution. Every teen should have a copy of Alex and Brett's book and I'd encourage you to read it at least once. Click the link below to hear them talk about Hoops of Hope on Focus on the Family. Thanks Alex and Brett for being such a great example!
It's not very often that you come across a 15-year-old who commands the attention of a gym full of people. And the crowds that come to hear Austin Gutwein are usually much bigger than the one this weekend at Augustana's Elmen Center. It's a story he's told many times.
"When I was nine years old, our family watched a video talking about a girl who had lost her parents due to AIDS," Gutwein said. "And it just got me passionate about that. I couldn't imagine what life would be like without my parents. And when I heard that there were 15 million kids just like that, having to go through that on a daily basis, I knew that I had to go out and do something to make a difference."
Austin contacted an organization called World Vision, which told him there was a need for help in Zambia. He decided to use his favorite sport. And in the six years since, Austin's idea, called "Hoops of Hope," has grown to 25,000 participants in 17 countries and raised $1.5 million.
"There are two communities in Zambia that we've been working specifically," Gutwein said. "An area called Twachiyanda, and that's where we've built the school and a medical clinic. And then an area called Sinazongwe as well, and that's where we built another one of the medical clinics."
The money raised this weekend in Sioux Falls will fund Austin's next project.
"This year's project is actually to build dormitories for the school that we built a few years back," he said. "The dormitories are a necessity. I couldn't imagine having to sleep in my algebra class."
Each dormitory costs $37,000 to build. After that, there are plans to build a water system, cafeteria, storage tanks, a science lab, and more.
"It's incredible to see the impact," Gutwein said. "It's very exciting for us. We get to meet these people, and they really are so grateful for what's happening, and what we're doing as well.
"I don't think I really do have any long-term goals or dreams, because I don't want to limit what can happen."
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls is leading a community-wide effort to raise nearly $40,000 to build a dormitory for orphaned children in Africa.
The Hoops of Hope fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Elmen Center at Augustana College. Children and adults from across the Sioux Empire will shoot 250 to 1,000 free throws to represent the many children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
Participants will spend part of the day at the free throw line shooting baskets in honor of these children. Each participant will get sponsors from their churches, families and friends.
Hoops of Hope was started in 2004 by then, 10-year old Austin Gutwein of Mesa, Ariz. Gutwein’s passion to help kids has led to thousands of participants across the country raising over $1 million. The nationwide project has helped build a high school for 1,000 students, a medical lab, a counseling center, and most recently, a water project in Kenya.
This year, the goal of the Hoops of Hope fundraiser is to raise more than a half million dollars to complete dormitories at Zambian High School in addition to building care centers in Swaziland.
One hundred percent of all Hoops of Hope funds will go to World Vision (www.worldvision.org), which manages all building projects for Hoops of Hope.
Gutwein and his family will be in Sioux Falls Aug. 21-23 to attend the fundraiser.
For more information on how to get involved, contact Sandy Berven, Director of Children’s Ministry at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 371-3737 or www.gloriadei-sd.org.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Take your Best Shot Review
Austin Gutwein is a huge encouragement to students and adults alike. This book is a great read. many pratical stories from his adventure of realizing, from a quote he found of Lincoln's - "in the end, it's not the years in your life that count..it's the life in your years." Austin is living that out. First by discovering that in order to do something bigger than yourself you have to begin with Someone bigger than yourself.
The real stories of the people that Austin has met along the way offer an encouraging picture of what happens when the focus moves from a world revolving around us to seeing that, starting with the individual, lives - continents away - can be radically changed.
One key observation that I really appreciated was that in the middle of doing good we must prepare for desertion, opposition and distraction, yet Austin's examples help us to see that we must stay in the effort.
Take your Best Shot will help youth and adult to answer that question...what life is in their years?
Tom Roepke
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Hoops of Hope Secures Donation Match In Sioux Falls!
"Hoops Of Hope," a national charity event, is coming to Sioux Falls in two weeks. And they've already secured a six-figure donation match from local donors.
Jeff and Tammie Broin of Dell Rapids have agreed to match donation amounts up to $100,000. The "Hoops Of Hope" event raises money for various charitable causes in Africa. 15-year-old Austin Gutwein from Arizona started the event five years ago.
"Whether it's kids or adults, a lot of times, people look at the problem and get intimidated by it," Gutwein said. "But, I think as 'Hoops Of Hope' has grown, people have realized they can go out and do something bigger than themselves."
The fundraiser will take place August 22-23 at the Elmen Center on the Augustana College campus.
Have you done something bigger than yourself? Share it with others! Visit the Hoops of Hope Facebook page, where you can tell your story, upload photos and videos, and read more stories from other world-changers. This week, we’re selecting a world-changer story and giving away a free “Do Something Bigger Than Yourself” t-shirt! Meanwhile, tell your friends and family to visit the Hoops of Hope Facebook page to become a fan, and don’t forget to pre-order Austin’s new book, “Take Your Best Shot.”
Friday, July 17, 2009
Pre-order Austin's new book "Take Your Best Shot"
Great news! Austin has finished his new book, "Take Your Best Shot". It hits bookshelves on September 15, 2009, but you can pre-order your own copy today.
Be one of the first to own Austin's new book! Click Here to order "Take Your Best Shot" now. And, become a fan of Hoops of Hope's Facebook Page to find out how you can share your story of helping "Do Something Bigger Than Yourself" this summer. During the books's pre-launch, we'll be posting great stories and contests, so spread the word to your friends and ask them to become Fans too. And if they have great stories to share, we would love to help them share it!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Austin speaking in NC
Austin is away for the week speaking to youth and young adults at the Youth in Mission camp in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Youth in Missions offers hands on missions through group mission experiences.This year they are hosting their own Hoops of Hope event.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Event in Berlin, NY
On Saturday, May 23, the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Berlin, NY hosted an event. Youth from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade shot over 5,000 basketballs and raised over $300 for Hoops of Hope!
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped to make the very first Hoops of Hope event in Portugal happen!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Events this weekend
Thanks to Harborcreek Jr. High in Harborcreek, PA and Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, PA for hosting great events this past weekend!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Event in Litchfield, CA
Thanks to Janesville Elementary School and Thompson Peak 4H in Litchfield, CA for hosting an event this past weekend!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Completed event in New Jersey
We want to thank the youth ministry at St. Bridget's Church in Glassboro, NJ for hosting a great event this past weekend.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
1st event in the United Arab Emirates
Our first ever event in Abu Dhabi happened last weekend and it went great! We're so proud of them and everyone else did an event this past weekend.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
30+ weekend events
We're pumped about the 30+ events happening across the states this weekend, plus one international event in Abu Dhabi!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Two great events this past weekend
We want to thank Galloway Baptist Church in Springfield, MO & Health & Science School in Beaverton, OR for having such awesome events this weekend! Galloway Baptist Church did their Hoops of Hope event during their "30 Hour Famine." How cool!
Don't know what 30 Hour Famine is? Check it out here: http://www.30hourfamine.org/
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
A snag in our email system
Hi everyone,
We want to inform you that due to some complications with our email system this past weekend, we may not have received some of your emails. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and we'd like to ask you to resend any emails you sent this past weekend that have not gotten a reply. We don't want any question or concern to go unnoticed, so we are doing our best to fix the issue and find any lost emails. Thanks for bearing with us!
The Hoops of Hope Team
Thursday, April 16, 2009
3 More Events
Looking forward to 3 great events happening this weekend! One in Marshall, MN, one in Dallas, TX, and one in Issaquah, WA. Have fun!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Spokane, WA
Thanks to Katelyn Rusch for having a great event in Spokane, WA this weekend!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday Weekend
We're excited to announce 2 events happening this weekend! One in Wilsonville, Oregon & one in Houston, TX. Happy Good Friday to all.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
More Thanks
Thanks to ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado for hosting a great event this past weekend!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thanks...
Thanks to Gardner-Webb University in NC & Grace Chapel Church of Christ in GA for hosting such great events this weekend!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Back from Africa
We're back from Africa. What an amazing trip. Highlights include attending the dedication of the clinic in Sinazongwe. We were told the clinic will save an ENTIRE generation. We were also able to deliver 250 bicycles and 750 mosquito nets to AIDS caregivers...and even got to ride along with a caregiver as she made her rounds. We'll be sharing Austin's experience via our blog soon.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Africa!!
We're heading out to Africa today. First stop will be with the Revolve Team to Rwanda, then to Uganda to meet our World Vision sponsor children. Finally, we'll be heading to Zambia to see the clinic you all helped build!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Denver Revolve
Our most signups ever. Denver just beat out Orlando with 705 signups at the Revolve Tour.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Houston Revolve
Thanks Houston. 392 World Changers signed up for Hoops of Hope at the Revolve Tour.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Orlando Revolve
This may have been our biggest weekend for signups to date. 592 girls signed up for Hoops of Hope at Orlando Revolve. Orlando, you rock!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A Great Weekend
317 Girls signed up for Hoops of Hope at Greensboro Revolve and a local Hoops of Hope event raised $11K.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Hoops of Hope in Beijing
Wow. 100 kids are doing Hoops of Hope today in Beijing!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Big Weekend
This weekend, be sure to stop by one of the 230 locations doing Hoops of Hope. Thousands of participants from 17 countries will be participating in this year's Hoops of Hope free-throw marathons to help orphan children!
Friday, November 21, 2008
New Photos of Clinic!
Click Here to View New Photos of the Clinic in Sinazongwe, Zambia! Opening November 2008!!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Spokane Revolve
Over 380 girls signed up to do a Hoops of Hope event during a recent stop on the Revolve Tour in Spokane, Washington! Percentage wise, it's one of the best sign ups yet! Way to go Spokane.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Philadelphia Revolve Tour
737 girls signed up to do Hoops of Hope this weekend at an amazing Revolve Tour stop in Philadelphia!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Seton La-Salle High School raises over $2,000
Pittsburgh's Maeve Palmieri took Hoops of Hope to her High School last weekend and helped to raise over $2,000 to assist orphan children in Zambia. 100% of the money raised from the La-Salle High School event will be used to help fund the PMTCT clinic in Chilala Zambia. PMTCT stands for Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission and will specialize in the prevention of AIDS transmission to newborns. All the details can be read online by clicking About Us, Projects, then 2008.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Revolve Tour Sacramento
350 girls committed to doing a Hoops of Hope event this past weekend during the Revolve Tour in Sacramento. The girls will be working to help build a medical clinic in Zambia and "Hope" centers in Swaziland.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Clinic Nears Completion!
Donors and participants from 2007 can see the clinicThe clinic funded from participants and donors in 2007 is nearing completion. The walls are up and the roof is scheduled to be completed this week with the grand opening next month. This clinic will "literally save thousands of lives" per the World Vision ADP manager in Sinazongwe. You can read the details and see the photos by clicking here.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Revolve Tour St. Louis
At the Revolve Tour stop in St. Louis this past week, 385 girls committed to doing a Hoops of Hope event this year! Revolve Tour girls can sign up to do Hoops of Hope on their own landing page by clicking the Revolve Tour button from the Hoops of Hope homepage. This year, girls from the Tour will not only be helping to finish funding the clinic in Zambia but will also be working to build care centers for orphan children in Swaziland.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Catalyst Conference Raises $10,000
At this year's Catalyst Conference in Georgia, over 12,000 church leaders watched as a professional dunk team raised $10,000 for Hoops of Hope. Following an interview on stage with Austin, the organizers decided to do it right. They pulled a couple of people out of the crowd to shoot a free throw, promising $1000 for every shot made. When no one made the shots, they rolled in a professional dunk team. Doing flips off of trampolines, the dunk team went 10 for 10 raising $10,000 for orphan children! Catalyst, you guys are amazing!!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Nearly 400 sign up in Minneapolis
Nearly 400 girls from the Revolve Tour committed to making a difference by shooting Hoops of Hope this year. The girls have a goal of raising $100 each to help build the medical clinic in Zambia and care centers in Swaziland.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Anaheim Revolve Tour
The girls in Anaheim definitely set the record for the most energy in an arena. And, even better 630 girls signed up to do Hoops of Hope this year to make a difference in the lives of orphan children. The girls from the Revolve Tour will be raising funds to finish the medical clinic in Zambia and to help build care centers in Swaziland.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Arizona League Raises $18,000
This year, Trek Sports basketball program, an extension of Central Christian Church of the East Valley, added an extra week to their league schedule but not for more games. On September 27th, there weren't games as usual. Instead, the participants in Trek Basketball took a week to "play for something that really mattered". About 300 kids took to the gym at Central Christian Church in Mesa Arizona to shoot Hoops of Hope. In the end, they raised over $18,000 to help children orphaned by AIDS. And, they had a ton of fun doing it! Sports and Recreation Pastor, Aaron Pennington called it "one of the best programs he's ever been able to participate in".
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Revolve Tour Dallas
More than 730 girls signed up to do a Hoops of Hope marathon during this past weekends Revolve Tour in Dallas! The target date for the Dallas team is December 6th to mark World AIDS Day. More than 7,000 girls filled the American Airlines Center for an amazing weekend. Check out the photos under the Stay Connected Tab on the Hoops of Hope Website. For more information, be sure to send an email to .
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Church makes 6,000 Free Throws
This past weekend the Indian Creek Christian Church in Indianapolis built 30 portable basketball hoops and then proceeded to make one free throw for each child orphaned that day. But they didn't stop there - they also decided to donate one dollar for each basket made to help Hoops of Hope build a medical clinic in Zambia! Mission and outreach pastor, Chris Alexander was moved when he heard of Hoops of Hope especially because of the connection to Zambia. Pastor Chris was a missionary there for several years and recently returned to Zambia with a group from the church. The plan is for Indian Creek to host a county wide Hoops of Hope event sometime in 2009!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Revolve Tour First Stop
Nearly 400 Revolve girls signed up to do a Hoops of Hope event in Columbus, Ohio to help children who have been orphaned because of HIV/AIDS. Austin shared with the girls, numbering 7,500, encouraging them to go out and make a difference. This year, the girls from the Revolve Tour will be helping to not only complete a second medical clinic focusing on the prevention of mother to baby transmission, but will also be building hope centers throughout Swaziland. Next stop, Dallas Texas!
Friday, August 8, 2008
USF Hoops of Hope
The University of South Florida hosted a Hoops of Hope event on Thursday, November 6th. A couple of hundred students and people from the community showed up to participate in the first Hoops of Hope event at the university. Austin was able to attend and speak to the students as part of the University Lecture Series. In total, the event raised over $6,000.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
15 year-old organizes Hoops of Hope event and raises $25K
Jessica Sailor is just an ordinary teenager. An ordinary teenager that helped raise $25,000 for orphan children.
After watching the CBS Sport coverage on Hoops of Hope, Pastor Jän Van Oosten of New Covenant Community Church in Fresno, California, knew their church could make a huge difference, and they did. With the help of her youth Executive Director Patrick Roberts, 15 year-old Jessica Sailor took Pastor Van Oosten’s challenge and helped organize a Hoops of Hope event.
As New Covenant members assembled 30 new portable basketball hoops [no small task], Jessica was organizing 150 Vacation Bible School kids to get ready for the big event. Then, on Friday night it happened. With all the hoops in place, the kids from New Covenant shot thousands of free throws to represent the thousands of children who would be orphaned that day because of AIDS.
In the end, New Covenant raised $25,000 to help build a new medical clinic in Zambia. Austin attended New Covenant in July and the passion was amazing. Oh, and what does a church do with 30 portable basketball hoops when it’s done? If you’re New Covenant in Fresno, you give them to the community to use, what else! It’s all part of making a difference.
Be sure to watch the video from New Covenant Hoops of Hope event.
Final Revolve Tour for 2009
We hope you'll join us at the final Revolve Tour stop in 2009 this weekend in Norman Oklahoma!
Final Revolve Tour for 2009
We hope you'll join us this weekend at the Revolve Tour's final stop of 2009 in Norman Oklahoma!
"It's incredible to see the impact," Gutwein said. "It's very exciting for us. We get to meet these people, and they really are so grateful for what's happening, and what we're doing as well.
