Marty Haws, our Chief Revenue Officer, has a long history with basketball and loves the life lessons it teaches young people. Two years ago, he added a new player from the Republic of Mali in Africa to the AAU team he coaches. His roster of players welcomed him with open arms and they all instantly became friends.
As Marty and the team learned more about Mali and some of the needs of the community, they (along with a group of very generous people) came up with a game plan. Team members raised money and then headed to Mali to assist with service projects in their new hoop mate’s home country.
The team was organized into groups. Each group was responsible for raising funds for a different project, including a school roof, hauling down and assembling school desks, water filtration education, and best of all in the eyes of the boys: a new basketball hoop!
The team was greeted at the Bamako airport in the capital city by the Mali National Basketball team. After receiving a warm welcome, they quickly went to work implementing their various projects. The trip was a huge success on many levels for everyone involved. Marty told us, “I went there with my team expecting to help others, but we all returned home with a better understanding about ourselves and what really matters in life.”
Marty, on behalf of your teammates at Social5, what you and your team did in Mali is the definition of a SLAM DUNK! Thanks for being an inspiration and a good representation of the company’s values both in and out of the office… and even when you’re halfway around the world!
