After the success of my award-winning book A Glove Of Their Own, I hope to reach even greater heights and further my vision of helping children across the country as I produce my second children's book, Beyond the Laces, this time featuring the sport of football.
Beyond the Laces will portray the true gift of athletes, which is the impact they have on children. It will unite all sports and also showcase the message of never giving up. Beyond the Laces is football at its best. It is a story of how one of America's greatest pastimes gives a family and their ill son the will and inspiration to overcome great adversity. While it is written to inspire children, Beyond the Laces will appeal to all ages, tugging at the heart strings of anyone who has ever endured the storms of life-and yet witnessed the sun again appear. The story promises to take you on a roller coaster of emotions.
Why Beyond The Laces Will Succeed: My Past Experience:
My first children's book, A Glove Of Their Own, was a great success. Not only did it win the Benjamin Franklin Children's Book Award, but it also was a finalist for both the Eric Hoffer Award and the Forword Magazine Book of the Year. I am most humbled by the support I received for A Glove Of Their Own from athletes, corporations, non-profit organizations and people across the country who all shared my vision of making a difference for children everywhere. A Glove Of Their Own took on a life of its own when it received support from famous athletes ranging from Don Mattingly, Tommy John, Craig Biggio and Yogi Berra to corporations like Louisville Slugger, Modell's, Rawlings, and Upper Deck to famous sports broadcasters like ESPN's Doug Glanville.
I am very proud of what Fox News said about my vision and my projects to help children in this recent article:
Fox News Story About My Vision, and Beyond The Laces
Why Beyond The Laces Will Succeed: Support From Athletes and The Sports Community:
What most humbles me is the amount of support my vision has received from professional athletes and the sports community. Take a look at what some great athletes and others in the sports community have said about my vision, as well as the list of athletes who supported my first book.
"A Glove of Their Own captures the spirit and true meaning of giving back and sharing with kids less fortunate. It is another reminder of why the game of baseball is so special."
Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers Manager and former New York Yankees star.
"Bob Salomon is one of those people who you can just tell is extremely motivated to promote a great cause. Bob shares the same feeling as countless Americans when it comes to the game of baseball. The memories of pick-up games in the yard, lot, or at the field stick with us for a lifetime. Bob and his team have taken this a step further and are not only promoting the game in and of itself, but also using the game as a means of spreading sportsmanship and teamwork for the greater good."
Rich Lampmann, director of promotions and public relations at Modell's Sporting Goods.
"I connected with Bob Salomon through a mutual passion and cause. We both shared the desire to help youth through sport. After one phone call that could have lasted 24 hours, we knew right away that we spoke the same language. His drive and passion through the phone was tangible. I was drawn to his selfless will to step aside and let the purpose lead the way. There was no ego, there was no filter. It was real and it was about children."
Doug Glanville, ESPN anaylst and former Major League Baseball player.
Here is a list of some of the supporters of my vision, who I am proud to have onboard as I strive to help children around the country:
Perry Williams
Eric Dickerson
Yogi Berra
Jason Grilli
Mike Sweeney
Eric Chavez
Roy White
Michael Cuddyer
Jim Eisenreich
Sean Casey
Mark Brunnel
Joe Torre
Don Mattingly
Tommy John
Mike Lansford
Doug Glanville
Eric Dickerson
Yogi Berra
Jason Grilli
Mike Sweeney
Eric Chavez
Roy White
Michael Cuddyer
Jim Eisenreich
Sean Casey
Mark Brunnel
Joe Torre
Don Mattingly
Tommy John
Mike Lansford
Doug Glanville
My Vision:
My vision goes far beyond publishing these books. Once Beyond The Laces is published, I intend to start a foundation to assist those in the sports world with helping children. Eventually, my foundation will tour childrens' hospitals around the country with figures from all ends of the sports world to share the message of Beyond The Laces with children about not giving up. My goal is to help and inspire children, and to bring athletes from every sport together to do so.
But, first things first. Your generosity in supporting my project will allow the book to be finished, and published, later this year.
Thank you for your help in making the lives of children better in every corner of the country. Please help me realize my vision by supporting, and spreading the word to those you know, about Beyond The Laces.
