"Giving back to the communities where I live and work is a philosophy I've always followed," said Tom Bigelow of Providence, a founding principal of Bigelow & Fleming based in Easton, Mass.
In the last few years, the company has supported Project GOAL (Greater Opportunity for Athletes to Learn), a non-profit organization that operates after-school programs for disadvantaged youth from Providence, Pawtucket and Central Falls.
Bigelow has joined forces with a group of education, business, and sports professionals to raise funds for the program's tutoring and soccer-related programs, and has sponsored one of the agency's soccer teams for last year's GOAL Cup Tournament Fundraiser for small businesses and corporations.
He says, "Students are selected for their passion for academic potential and passion for soccer. Project GOAL fills the gap created by cuts in after-school programming by combining after-school schoolwork periods and soccer training, and leverages youth development."
Darius Shirzadi, founder and executive director of Project GOAL, commended this past year's sponsors for the GOAL Cup Tournament Fundraiser who donated a total of $14,000 for the program, including WPRI Channel 12, Delta Dental, Meridian Custom Homes, Anchor Counseling Center, CORE Business Technologies.
To get involved and/or learn how your company can become involved in Project Goal, visit www.projectgoal.org.