Our Main Focus Underprivileged Students-Youth Sports-U.S.
Opulent Philanthropy Inc. - Empowering Communities
Opulent Philanthropy Inc. Sports and Education Program
Get in the Game! Help Our Kids Reach Their Goals! Our Core Mission
Do you believe every child deserves a shot at greatness? We do too. Unfortunately, financial barriers can sideline talented young athletes from underprivileged backgrounds. This fundraiser aims to change that!
Join us in raising money to provide grants to deserving athletes, empowering them to:
- Compete at the highest level: Grants will cover costs associated with private coaching, travel to tournaments and training camps, and essential equipment, allowing athletes to focus on honing their skills.
- Develop strong work ethic and character: Athletics instill valuable life skills like discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. These grants invest not just in athletic talent, but in shaping well-rounded individuals.
- Pursue their athletic dreams: We believe every child should have the opportunity to chase their athletic goals, regardless of financial limitations.
Your Donation Makes a Difference!
The Cost to Play Sports for Low Income Families: Grants
Nike football cleats $135 to $200
Nike track shoes $75 to $285
Nike basketball shoes $50 to $200
School play to play fee $110 and up.
Activity card $44
Spirit pack $184.44
Equipment fee $70
Season player registration fee $660
Summer sports Camp $300 to $3,000 and up
Private coach $65 an hour, for 2 hours.
The reality is families spend a lot of money over the years for their kids to participate in high school athletics or else they don’t get the opportunity. And schools in less affluent areas have trouble competing in that arena. It’s not a level playing field between schools and families of youth wanting to participate.
Many students can't make the trip.
Changing Lives Through Sports
Track and Field
Track and field are another popular sport, with an estimated 17,000 schools offering it in the US. It offers a wide range of events like sprints, long-distance races, hurdles, and more.
The cost of track and field varies from school to school but typically includes practice equipment (track shoes, spikes, etc.), uniforms, and warm-up gear.
The cost is also determined by the number of events a student participates in, and these costs can add up quickly. For example, an athlete participating in multiple events may have to pay for additional entry fees and travel costs if they participate in away games or tournaments.
Basketball
Basketball is one of the most popular team sports in the US. There is no wonder more than 18,000 schools offer boys’ basketball programs in the US, making it the most popular sport in 2021-22. It is one of the few activities that allows students to play all year round and even on vacation.
While the kids dream to be the future Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant or Caitlin Clark, but the cost of high school basketball can end their dream.
Football
Football is one of the most popular sports in America, with over 14,000 schools offering it across the US. It is a contact sport and involves 11 players on each team. Football has many rules and regulations that must be followed to ensure the safety of all participants.
The cost of football can vary depending on the school or league. Generally, students need to purchase or rent a helmet, shoulder pads, cleats, and other protective gear. They may also have to pay for the uniform rental, tournament fees, and travel expenses.
Do you believe in the power of athletics to transform lives? We do! But the path to athletic excellence is often paved with financial hurdles. Talented young athletes with the potential for greatness can be held back.
This fundraiser is dedicated to bridging that gap, empowering them to reach their full potential on the field, court, or track.
Opulent Philanthropy is helping to grow an extensive sports platform that consists of youth sports, volunteer coaches, grants to further students and our sports programs.
Through these initiatives, thousands of youth athletes and coaches are reached. Opulent Philanthropy Sports strives to grow sports at all levels to ensure that players of all ages learn proper fundamentals and have access to safe equipment.
Life After Sports/ Scholarships
A Career Focused Education or Trade
Opulent Philanthropy Inc. focuses on providing scholarships to underprivileged students. Fewer than 2% Student athletes go on to be professional athletes. In reality, most student-athletes need an educational focused career to prepare them for a job.
Life After Sports is an initiative dedicated to providing educational resources and career development opportunities for those seeking to enhance their professional skills and job prospects.
A career focused education provides students with access to real-world experiences and career training.
They can graduate with industry certifications, workforce certifications and/or hours toward their post-secondary education. Dual credit courses help students finish college early and save on college costs.
The career-focused curriculum and programs will prepare students for the workforce. Students will develop specific academic, intellectual and technical knowledge and experiences. They will gain the 21stcentury skills necessary to be competitive in the global workforce. Many of these high-paying jobs do not require a two- or four-year college degree.
Financial Bridge: College can be incredibly expensive, and for underprivileged students, the cost can be a major barrier. Scholarships provide financial aid that can cover tuition, fees, books, and even living expenses. This significantly reduces the financial burden, making college a more realistic possibility.
Reduced Debt: Scholarships lessen the reliance on student loans, which can saddle graduates with significant debt for years to come. This financial freedom allows students to focus on their studies and future careers without the weight of overwhelming debt.
Improved College Access: Scholarships open doors to colleges that might otherwise be financially out of reach. Underprivileged students can attend institutions with better academic programs, facilities, and career opportunities, setting them on a path to greater success.
Increased Graduation Rates: Studies show that students receiving scholarships are more likely to graduate. The financial security and validation provided by scholarships can motivate students to stay focused and persevere through academic challenges.
Enhanced Opportunities: Scholarships can open doors to additional opportunities like internships, research programs, and study abroad experiences. These enrich a student's education and make them more competitive in the job market.
Building a Brighter Future: Scholarships give underprivileged students a chance to break the cycle of poverty. A college education can lead to higher-paying jobs, improved social mobility, and the ability to provide a better future for their families.
Scholarship Overview:
The Life After Sports Scholarship Program awards scholarships to underprivileged students who demonstrate academic excellence. This scholarship program is open to students pursuing a degree in a career focused education.
Scholarship Benefits:
- Trade schools are often seen as a more cost-effective alternative to attending a four-year college. While the average cost for the latter is about $30,000-$100,000 over the four years, the cost of the former generally ranges from $5,000 to $15,000. Even on the high end, like investing in a two-year program in a community college, for instance, is estimated to be less expensive than a traditional college education.
In conclusion, scholarships play a vital role in ensuring underprivileged students have access to higher education. By easing financial burdens, increasing opportunities, and promoting academic success, scholarships empower these students to reach their full potential and build a brighter future.
Investing in the Future: Your contribution is about shaping well-rounded individuals. These scholarships will foster discipline, teamwork, and a strong work ethic, qualities that will help them succeed.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
- Be a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled undergraduate student with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
- Demonstrate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a similar needs assessment document.
- Be a legal resident of United States.
- Submit a complete application package.
Selection Criteria:
Scholarship recipients will be selected based on a comprehensive review of the following criteria:
- Academic achievement (GPA, transcripts)
- Financial need as demonstrated by FAFSA or equivalent documentation.
- Letters of recommendation (from teachers, counselors, or community leaders)
Award Details:
- The Life After Sports Scholarship Program will provide the number of scholarships annually on our website.
- Each scholarship will be a one-time, non-renewable award.
- Scholarship funds can be used for educational expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
Application Process:
- The application deadline will be posted on our website. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
- The complete application package includes:
- Completed online application form.
- Official transcripts
- FAFSA or equivalent documentation
- Two letters of recommendation
The Life After Sports program is more than just a fundraiser; it’s a commitment to empowering individuals through education and career development skills. Together, we can build a brighter future for all.
How to Apply:
Applications are accepted online only through our website: www.opulentusa.org/sports-ed
Ways Volunteers Can Get in the Game Through Fundraisers and Helping in Your Community Succeed in Sports and Education:
- Personal Fundraisers: This is a direct way for volunteers to create their own fundraising pages in support of an event for Opulent Philanthropy Inc. We would like volunteers to set a fundraising goal, share a compelling story about our cause, and encourage donations directly through Facebook.
- Fundraising Challenges: A fun and engaging way to raise awareness! Volunteers can create challenges (fitness goals, cooking competitions) and invite friends to donate to Opulent Philanthropy Inc. in exchange for completing the challenge.
- GoFundMe is another way you can raise fund to help your community.
- Volunteers Can Identify underprivileged youth sports teams in their community. Through volunteers we will ship athletic wear and equipment to provide the necessary supplies needed in your community.
Opulent Philanthropy Inc. and the flying Lyons
Supporting Opulent Philanthropy Inc. Means Supporting Your Community
We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of our local community. Delmon Lyons has been coaching summer track for over 23 years and enjoys working with children and youth of all ages. An athlete from his youth where he excelled in track at Ector High School and run competitively at Odessa Junior college and at Texas Tech University. His love for the sport led him to start tyhe Flying Lyons Track Club. Coach Lyons is a certified USA Track and Field Coach. His knowledge and experience has developed and prepared many athletes for college and the next level of their lives Coach Lyons was honored with an Humanitarian Award for his many years of dedication to the community by the Association of Business in South Odessa. His tireless act to giving into lives of kids and impacted the community in a positive way. By supporting Opulent Philanthropy Inc., you are supporting your community and helping to build a brighter future for all.
Support One Student Make A Difference
As a sponsor of Opulent Philanthropy Inc., you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of those we serve. Your support will help us to expand our programs and services, reach more people in need, and make a lasting difference in the community. We provide many ways to donate.
Support Opulent Philanthropy Inc. Sports Program
What to expect
Our organization is committed to supporting sports by providing scholarships, and resources to students from low-income backgrounds. We believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a brighter future for all. Through our partnerships with schools and community organizations, we work to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Kids will be placed into age divisions, so that boys and girls will be competing against their own age levels.
Support Underprivileged U.S. Student Athletes
Sports Program
Providing grants for underprivileged students enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States: The monetary value of a High School diploma has fallen from $31,284.00 to $28,000.00.
Education Is Valuable: The statistics prove that opting out of a university degree will dramatically hurt people in the long run, damaging their earning potential, increasing the likelihood of unemployment, and decreasing job satisfaction.
Seventy two percent of millennials ages 25-32 Say their degree has already paid off. The simple fact is that you make more money when you go to college. College grads age 25-32 earn $17,000.00 more each year.
Millennials without a degree are three times more likely to say their job is just to help them get by. They live from paycheck to paycheck, have almost zero job satisfaction. Almost four times more millennials without a college degree live in poverty. The path out of poverty almost always run through college.
The unemployment rate for millennials without a college degree is three times as high than those with a degree. Think of a university education as a parachute of sorts. It won’t totally spare from falling when things get bad, but it will slow down your fall dramatically.
Flying J. Summer Youth Program
Opulent Philanthropy Inc. Sports
The Flying Lyons Track & Field Club has been an active summer youth program now for almost 30 years out of Odessa, Texas. Several of our former athletes now volunteer as assistant coaches with the program. Our contribution to our community has been developing track & field and cross-country student-athletes that progress from elementary, middle school, high school and some progress to receive college scholarships at various universities.
In 2023, we landed two hammer / discus throwers scholarships with South Plains JC and Piedmont University (Georgia).Those went to Braden Pry and Shealee Gallegos. Both are contributing well for their teams, their coaches inform me.
One of our most recent successes has been Ms. Bethany Tate of Odessa, TX. She signed a very generous scholarship to compete for Abilene Christian University on their track & field program. She is listed on the table of athletes and won an individual national championship in the 17-18 Women's Discus Throw at the 2023 AAU Jr. Olympics. She is one of many successful examples of our program that has produced many athletes from the West Texas area.
Another blue-chip collegiate prospect that is nearing graduation is Ms. Valerie Hunt of Monahans, Texas. In 2023, she qualified for the USATF Jr. Olympics in the Shot Put, Discus, and Javelin, competing in Eugene, Oregon at the famous Hayward Field. This past weekend, she qualified for the Texas UIL state track & field meet in three events Discus, Shot Put, and Pole Vault. She is a high school Junior and a leader on her team and represents her school and community very well on the local, state, and national stage of competition.
Please feel free to inquire about any of these athletes in the table. I also included national qualifiers going back to 2016for an initial list, but we have many more from 1995 thru 2015, as well.
We're very thankful to be working with you Mr. Dewitt and we look forward to our partnership in furthering the futures of all the many youth girls and boys that our program is involved with their development and growth.
Sincerely,
Coach Eric Myers Throws / Multi-events Coach Flying Lyons Track Club Odessa, TX, USA.
Our Missions
Opulent Philanthropy Inc. Non Profit S[ports and Education
- Our core mission is to provide underprivileged students support to reach their full potential in a sport of their choice. Many time students or their families cannot afford the financial burden that comes with the games. We know that 98% of the students that give it their all to become a professional athlete, will need a career focused education to land a job.
- We offer underprivileged students a career focused scholarship to land on their feet when they leave the playing field to support their dream.
Our Mission