Benevolent Athlete Fund Increases Access to High-Level Sport

As Martello continues to grow, we are excited to support a  variety of organizations through our Employee-Directed Gift Program. Supporting the causes that are close to our employee’s hearts, gives us a better sense of what matters most in the lives of  our fellow ‘Martellians’ and strengthens our ties to the community. Watch this space to see what’s next, as the ripple effect of these contributions continues to grow.

Martello’s Operations Lead, John Salem chose to direct his donation to the Maverick Athlete Benevolent Fund started by the Maverick Volleyball Club – a popular and long-time running club that was first established in 1984 and is still going strong. The club boasts 28 teams and is one of the largest clubs in Ontario with players at all levels including professional, national and college teams.  The club strives to provide youth with high quality volleyball programs that not only foster leadership opportunities but also build life skills through the extensive programs they offer. Volleyball skills are just the beginning of the journey for club members, as they develop both a lifelong love of sport and the life skills that come with the thrill of competing.

John first became involved with the Mavericks eight years ago when his daughter joined, and then quickly became an important part of the club, eventually coaching the 13-year-old girls’ team for the past two years. John has always had a love of many different sports and over time, he developed a passion for coaching – specifically the sport of volleyball as he feels that it really builds strong team camaraderie and promotes the learning of great life lessons. For John, it’s a joy to spend time teaching the athletes and building relationships with their parents.

John feels strongly about teaching young athletes, as he feels that at this age they are enthusiastic, eager to learn new skills and work hard. For many families though, the high cost of pursuing competitive volleyball can be a barrier holding back exceptional athletes from pursuing their dreams. Because of this, the Mavericks Volleyball Club has created the Maverick Athlete Benevolent Fund that is used by those who need additional assistance to help offset the considerable cost of being a high-performance athlete. John’s employee directed gift will contribute to this benevolent fund and will in turn allow more players to participate in the game that John enjoys so much.

Martello is proud to be a small part of opening up accessibility to competitive volleyball in the Ottawa area. We look forward to cheering on future athletes, as more and more opportunities open up thanks to benevolent funds like those established by the Mavericks Volleyball Club.