As the St. Louis Surge Basketball Team is preparing for their 10th season, one player– Brittany Carter — aims to make her time on the court count for something bigger than basketball.
Carter has started “Brittany Carter’s Points With a Purpose” to help raise funds for Rainbows for Kids, a local pediatric cancer charity—in their efforts to build an inclusive playground. She’s doing it because she is passionate about the organization for personal reasons.
“Rainbows is so dear to my heart for two reasons,” she said. “I was never able to meet three of my grandparents due to them passing away from cancer, and because of the time I’ve spent with the kids.”
Rainbows for Kids is an all-volunteer-run organization celebrating their 20th Anniversary in 2019.
“I hope people will support me and pledge for every point I score,” said Carter. “If they would rather give a one -time donation that would be great also. I have a web page set up to help in this initiative.”
Carter, who plays combo guard, averaging more than 18 points per game, is putting her money where her mouth is by pledging one dollar for every point she scores.
Team owner Khalia Collier who has seen the team win five National Championships under her ownership, feels the character of her players are important.
“We build the leaders of today and tomorrow by serving as role models and mentors,” said Collier. “Our philosophy of recruiting character first, without sacrificing talent, is one of the key factors for our continued success on and off the court.”
Carter hopes to be a role model as she seeks to raise money to help Rainbows for Kids build an accessible playground.
“We are working with the City of Sunset Hills to build the accessible playground at Watson Trails Park,” said Rainbows for Kids board member Mike Rains who is working on the project. “We are excited that Brittany has gotten on board and hopes to get the Surge and Surge fans involved. We appreciate her for all her support of Rainbows for Kids.”
Through her work with Boost Recruiting, Carter heard a talk on Pledge-It, the organization helping her raise the donations.
“As I was listening, the idea came to mind that this was a way I could make a difference,” she said. “There is no better organization close to my heart life Rainbows for Kids.”
Carter volunteered for Rainbows for Kids in high school and continues when she is in town.
” I have also been blessed to be around so many amazing families battling hard times in their lives and seeing them make the most of their situation,” said Carter of her volunteer time with the charity.. “These amazing families find happiness and joy through activities Rainbows for Kids is able to provide.”
In 2019, Rainbows for Kids donated the money to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital to purchase a special pediatric MRI Machine, and for their 20th Anniversary they are helping develop the accessible playground, as some of the young cancer patients are in wheel chairs.
“They operate because of the donations of generous people,” said Carter. “Everyone is a volunteer and I love being a part of making others’ days a little bit brighter.”
This will be Carter’s third season with the Surge. She played in 2015 and 2018.
“Brittany is fierce, but with a smile,” said Collier. “Her work ethic on and off the court is beyond admirable. Brittany is always going to compete and when she is having fun she is virtually unstoppable, she has been a great addition to the team and brings a lot to the organization as a whole.”
“I love being a leader and filling the stat sheet with points, rebounds, assists, and steals,” she said.
After graduating from Ball State University with a Business Administration degree in three years, she transferred to the University of Illinois to obtain her Master’s Degree in Sports Administration. She is shown, left playing for the Fighting Illini.
It has been a whirlwind of basketball since college as she played with the Surge in the summer of 2015 and in January went to Australia to play for the Southern Peninsula Sharks for two seasons. In September of 2017-2018 she played for Kouvottaret in Finland.
After that Carter returned to St. Louis for the 2018 season with the Surge season, and this past season she was in Czech Republic playing for BK Trutnov.
“It would mean the world to me to be a part of building a wheelchair accessible playground for those in need,” said Carter who helped take Incarnate Word Academy to two state championships 2010 and 201. “I have dreamt of being part of something bigger than myself and to be able to use the sport that I love, and the fans that follow my career to help provide a playground for these amazing people would be one of my biggest accomplishments.”
For more information on “Brittany Carter’s Points For A Purpose” CLICK HERE.
For those unable to participate online, checks can be made to Rainbows for Kids and mailed to 7221 Waterford Drive. St. Louis, MO 63123. Please put “Brittany Carter” in the memo on the check.
For information on the St. Louis Surge: CLICK HERE
Photo Credits: Brittany Carter, St. Louis Surge, University of Illinois Athletics
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