Chess Without Borders Honored By Points of Light

 

Barrington-based Chess Without Borders (CWB) has been honored by the Points of Light (POL) organization. The "service-minded" chess-education philanthropy was honored as the POL Daily recipient of April 13.

The Points of Light has recognized more than 5,000 organizations since the famous George Bush (Sr.) pronouncement of a societal need for volunteerism. The awards were initiated in November of 1989 with some the recognized volunteer initiatives dating back to 1900. CWB is recipient number 5717.

POL's posted profile recognizes the rich history borne out of Rishi Sethi's efforts at starting a chess club at an elementary school when he was nine-years old. Rishi is now a successful data analyst in New York City.

"Buoyed by the sense of helping others, the club branched out into other local community service projects, mostly chosen and managed by Rishi and his young classmates." says the profile.

The efforts have given participants a vantage point beyond the 64 squares... and even beyond the 50 states: "Club members have donated chess sets and textbooks to schools in the United States, as well as other nations". 

This is not the first significant recognition achieved by CWB. Says the profile, "Many Chess Without Borders participants have been recognized for their service, with at least 100 club members and five teachers earning the President’s Volunteer Service Award for the depth of their community involvement."

"Rishi’s mother, Dr. Kiran Frey, says the President’s Volunteer Service Awards have made the kids want to volunteer even more."

Chess Without Borders is now a certifying organization able of recognizing its own "most committed volunteers."

The Points of Light profile quotes one long-time participant, now aged 12. Ethan Gagliano explains: “When Dr. Frey’s around, we really get going and we get great ideas. You know how some kids do soccer all the time? We’re thinking about fundraising and chess all the time.”

The POL profile says "Gagliano came up with the idea of asking family and friends to sponsor him at chess competitions. He challenged them to donate $5 to charity for each win, and soon collected $500."

Although currently on hiatus, CWB has been a past affiliate of the Illinois Chess Association. 

 

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