Atlantis Cricket Club of New York once again lived up to its motto…more than just cricket, by participating in a Habitat for Humanity’s building project.
Some Atlantis volunteers pose with Habitat for Humanity team leaders at the housing project site in Brooklyn.
Led by club president Steve Welcome, a small cadre of members donned hard hats and took a day off from their jobs and school to help twelve Brownsville, Brooklyn families on their way to owning their own homes, through the efforts of Habitat for Humanity and volunteers such as the members of Atlantis Cricket Club of New York.
This marks the third time Atlantis members have volunteered to work on construction sites managed by Habitat for Humanity in the New York metropolitan area. The most recent project involved a four-story twelve-unit building housing a mix of 2-3 bedrooms dwelling units and located at 1812 St. John’s Place in the Ocean Hill-Brownsville area of Brooklyn, NY.
Assigned to Habitat for Humanity team leaders, the Atlantis volunteers were coached on performing some basic construction tasks, before being turned loose to complete a full day’s work in temperatures nearing the 90 degree mark, but it was all for a great cause in helping others attain the American dream of owning their own homes.
Atlantis President Steve Welcome does some caulking at the Brownsville project site.
According to Atlantis’ leg spinner Hugh Craig, one of the club’s volunteers, “It was a day’s work, that was well worth it, helping others in a Christian-like manner.”
Atlantis’ president Steve Welcome who coordinated the volunteer effort on behalf of the club, stated “Atlantis is committed to continuing its effort of participating in community-related events, outside the realm of the sport of cricket,” adding that he wished more cricket clubs would become involved in community affairs, by giving back something to the communities within which they live.
About Habitat for Humanity –
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Today, Habitat for Humanity is a true world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing.
Habitat for Humanity dedicated its 200,000th house in 2005. It is now the home of the Kouassi-Harper family of Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
In 2008, local volunteers raised the walls on the 300,000th Habitat house, which is owned by the Garraux family in Naples, Florida, USA
The concept that grew into Habitat for Humanity International was born at Koinonia Farm, a small, interracial, Christian community outside of Americus, Georgia. Koinonia Farm was founded in 1942 by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan.
The Fullers first visited Koinonia in 1965. They had recently left a successful business and an affluent lifestyle in Montgomery, Alabama to begin a new life of Christian service.
At Koinonia, Jordan and Fuller developed the concept of “partnership housing.” The concept centered on those in need of adequate shelter working side by side with volunteers to build simple, decent houses.
For more information or how to volunteer visit http://www.habitat.org/
About Atlantis Cricket Club –
Atlantis Cricket Club – New York was officially established in 1966 and throughout its existence, the organization’s leadership has exemplified stability, a sense of purpose, exemplary conduct on and off the field, and a great deal of camaraderie amongst its members.
The early 70’s saw the club’s talent enhanced by an influx of former national players from the Caribbean, who showcased their talents, resulting in the club becoming a dominant force in U.S. cricket for quite some time. Atlantis currently competes in the Eastern American Cricket Association league.
Several high profile individuals such as the former Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Lester Bird have played for Atlantis, as well as former West Indies Captain and later Manager, Clive Hubert Lloyd – now Chairman of the International Cricket Councils (ICC) Cricketing Committee, and an honorary member of Atlantis.
In addition to Clive Lloyd, Atlantis boasts several former West Indies test players among its Honorary Membership, including Andy Roberts, Alvin Kallicharran, Lance Gibbs, Roger Harper, Curtly Ambrose, Lawrence Rowe, Joe Solomon, Basil Butcher, Snr., Joel “Big Bird” Garner and Clayton Lambert.
Atlantis Cricket Club – New York, is truly a microcosm of international and Caribbean members, having had among its membership, players from Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, England, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Pakistan, St. Vincent, and Trinidad & Tobago.
The club continues to participate in community events such as Habitat for Humanity, an annual toy collection, winter coats for the less fortunate, and an educational scholarship fund for college-bound students, as well as one-on-one educational tutoring initiatives for club members in high school and college.
For more information visit www.atlantisccny.org
