About us – PHAALS

WHO WE ARE

The PHAALS Foundation exists to help fight for a cure for ALS—also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease—and to enrich the lives of families affected by the disease.

The PHAALS Foundation exists to help fight for a cure for ALS—also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease—and to enrich the lives of families affected by the disease. Founded in 2012 by Jeff Swick, we work hard to raise awareness and provide support for the ALS community. Whether we’re raising funds to make an ALS patient’s dream come true, or aiding a family member with the Hall of Fame LEGEND Scholarship, we’re here to Play Hardball Against ALS.

ALS is a progressive disease that damages motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord to take away the ability to walk, speak, swallow and, eventually, to breathe. More than 5,600 people are diagnosed with ALS each year, and there is currently no known causes or cures. In 2014 alone, we raised more than $100,000 to directly improve the lives of those suffering with this terminal illness.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit, the PHAALS Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors.

For more information on our vision and goals, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR

WITH MORE THAN 50 EVENTS HELD EACH YEAR, THE PHAALS FOUNDATION RAISED MORE THAN $175,000 IN ITS FIRST 2 ½ YEARS.

At the PHAALS Foundation, our primary goal is to raise money and distribute it directly to ALS-affected families in need. Here's what we've accomplished towards our goal so far:

April 2012

Inagural event. Two teams, one game, two familes supported
directly. Over $10,000 is raised and a dream is given birth.

JANUARY 2013

Strategic foundation partnerships are formed with:

Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association
Kindred Hospital - Lima, OH
Orthopedic Institute of Ohio
Ottawa Oil Company / Shell Party Marts
Orthopedic Trauma Services
Subway

SPRING 2013

$65,000 raised
30 High School and Collegiate events
Two High School All-Star games
125 High Schools and Colleges participate in Fundraiser Events
15 ALS families inducted into the Hall of Fame
Frito Lay sponsors a Matching Funds event
BlackRock in Midtown New York sponsors a Matching Funds event
Over 100 PHAALS volunteers join the Cincinnati Reds for their First Annual ALS Game
3 Diamond Dreams fulfilled
Wheelchair purchased for a Hall of Fame member
Awarded seven Hall of Fame Legend Scholarships for $2,500
Established the PHAALS Hall of Fame Research Grant

2014

More than $100,000 raised
13 new families inducted into the Hall of Fame
50 Fundraising events held throughout Ohio
Events held in Florida and Arizona
Over 250 schools and communities participate in PHAALS Fundraisers
Event held at Mery Field in Toledo, featuring the University of Toledo vs Notre Dame
Event held at Fifth Third Field in Toledo
The Ohio Sports Athletic Association partners with the PHAALS Foundation
Over 200 PHAALS volunteers participate in the Cincinnati Reds 2nd Annual ALS Game

Future Goals

We have big plans for the future. As part of our roadmap, we will continue to form strategic corporate partnerships that will eventually allow the PHAALS Foundation to support a full-time staff. In doing so, we will be able to expand our efforts to a larger geographic area. While maintaining our robust High School fundraiser event schedule, we also desire to spread the Foundation’s reach to Collegiate and Professional sporting events. This will not only raise awareness about ALS and the PHAALS Foundation, but also increase our ability to help those in need. Through expanding our event schedule and fundraising goals, we are also able to grow the PHAALS Foundation Research Grant and put more resources towards the second part of our mission: Finding a cure.

WHERE WE ARE TODAY

Thoughts of the future are exciting, but we're proud of what we've already accomplished. As of the end of 2014, we have:

Raised more than $175,000 in revenue

Currently more than 30 families being currently supported through the Foundation

More than $50,000 available for families to utilize

More than $7500 in scholarship monies to give away in 2015

If you’d like to get involved with what we do at the PHAALS Foundation, please consider becoming a donor, hosting an event or joining us as a volunteer. No matter if you donate your money or your time, what you give is invaluable for helping those in need.

Our Staff

JEFF SWICK, CEO AND FOUNDER

Jeff is a graduate of the Ohio State University, and a life-long resident of Putnam County, Ohio. He has always been a baseball guy, playing the game through high school and college until an injury ended his career as a player. He began coaching at Ft. Jennings High School in 1992 and continued this duty until 2012, when he stepped down as head varsity coach to follow his passion and create the PHAALS Foundation | Read More

OTHER STAFF

Travis Kahle, Spring Event Committee Chairperson
Ryan Stechschulte, Fall Golf Outing Committe Chairperson
Jen Klausing, Legal Council

REVIEW BOARDS

DIAMOND DREAMS PROGRAM

Brian Klausing
Gene Stechschulte
Dr. Steven Haman

Tom Sakemiller
Nick Langhals
Scott Mangas

DONATE

JOIN US IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ALS.

DONATE TODAY!

COMPANY

FEEDBACK

We would like to hear from you with any feedback about our website or our organization.