Bronx To Durban 2: Help Arnold Chavis achieve his dream of competing for a spot on the 2016 Olympic team!

Bronx To Durban 2:  Help Arnold Chavis achieve his dream of competing for a spot on the 2016 Olympic team!

Arnold is an outstanding young man who I’ve had the privilege of coaching for many years. He’s a difference maker in this world both on and off the pitch. Please give some thought about donating to help support this young scholar athlete. His goal is to return to an elite rugby training academy in South Africa, rather than returning to the Bronx this summer.

What I love about Arnold is that he’s the kid who used to be a big troublemaker in school. Through rugby, he has turned his life around and now he’s earning As and Bs at Penn State University. He’s on a pre-med track and plays Division I rugby. How cool is that?

He’s up to $3500 (from working and fund-raising) and has $ 2000 to go by June 30th. Please pass this along to anyone who you think would like to donate to Arnold. I’ve included a blurb that has some information from Arnold as well as information on how to donate.

Whatever you give to Arnold he’ll give back both on and off the pitch. In my book he’s a great investment. Hit the link below to donate or mail a check to New York Rugby Club with “Arnold Chavis” in the memo line.

Thanks,
Annie Collier

To Donate:
Click on this link:    http://www.razoo.com/story/Bronx-To-Durban-Part-Two

OR

Mail a check made out to New York Rugby Club c/o Annie Collier  6 Scenic Drive South Salem, New York 10590

A Word From Arnold:

Hello my name is Arnold Chavis. I am a founding member of the New York Rugby Club u19 team and I am a member of the Penn State rugby team. Currently I have finished playing the spring 15s season for PSU where we finished in elite 8’s against the national champions Cal Berkley in the nation, and I am training for the PSU Collegiate Sevens team and hoping to make the squad for the championships in June.

I was fortunate enough to attend the Sharks Rugby Academy in Durban, South Africa during the summer of 2008. I want to go back to the camp this summer to improve my game of rugby and to stay off the streets of the Bronx, New York during the summer months. My dreams of playing rugby are great and to some they seem impossible. What’s a kid from the projects in the North Bronx doing playing rugby? I have hopes of playing for America in the 2016 Olympics and also of being an All American before finishing college. I plan on going to South Africa from June to August.

The cost of the camp is $4,000 and flights are $1,500 so I am raising a total of $5500. I am working and saving money for the trip but I need some help. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated and accepted. In return for giving donation I will agree to work any odd jobs that will be needed no matter how big or small the task may seem. I am also going to donate my hair to Locks of Love in return for donations. Rugby has done a lot for me and in any way I can I will give back. Every time I come home on break I will help out with the NYRC u19 program, attend men’s practices, and look for the opportunity to work with programs in the city like Play Rugby USA.

My plans after I graduate from PSU are to become a Physicians Assistant and give back to the rugby community. I intend to pay it forward! My first time at the Sharks Academy was great. I learned respect, self discipline, and developed a deeper knowledge of the game. Help me get a second chance to better myself and achieve my rugby and personal goals so that I can beat the odds and become a kid from the Bronx who achieves!