There is nothing more empowering than helping others. That is what Atlanta area teens, Dani Blank and Emily Miller have set out to do by organizing a 5K Run to support the children at the Israel Tennis & Education Centers, planned for Sunday, September 29th at Newtown Park in Johns Creek, Georgia.
It was Dani who introduced the organization to her friend Emily. Dani has a life-long connection, inspired by her grandparents and parents. They involved her, from a young age, with this unique program in Israel that helps vulnerable children, of all faiths, many living on or below the poverty level, by educating and empowering them through academic enrichment and sports. This exposure taught her to “really fall in love with the Centers (ITEC) and what they do,” states Blank.
The Israel Tennis & Education Centers (ITEC) was founded in 1976 and over the last 43 years it has grown and evolved into one of the largest social service agencies for children in Israel. ITEC has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of children with the goal of igniting hope and opening pathways to a successful future for them and for Israel, now and for generations to come.
Ms. Blank has experienced the work of this remarkable organization first-hand and has gotten to know many of the youth involved in it – developing friendships with people her own age that live in very different circumstances than her own.
“The ITEC truly embodies inclusion and unity in a region where that is very rare – and very different from how I live,” states Blank. Dani and Emily are big supporters of Israel and wanted to do something that they could relate to, as they are both Track and Cross Country (running) student athletes at Johns Creek High School in Alpharetta, GA.
“We hope to not only raise some much-needed funds for ITEC, but what we really want is to let more people know about what they do.” What they love most about the ITEC is that they are able to “combine providing important things to children who need them, you know, the skills that you need in life, with sports. Also, they give them an education, a family – and the sport (tennis) is at very high level,” states Blank.
The ITEC 5K will take place on Sunday, September 29th, beginning at 10:30AM at Newtown Park in Johns Creek, Georgia. For more information on how you can participate or to get involved, please go to www.Israel5K.com.