Our Mission:
To provide resources to existing organizations to help further their ability to provide sports and physical activities for kids with physical and developmental disabilities.
Read the full Sports for Special Kids Mission Statement.
Formerly Known as the "Molly Brown Foundation"
Molly Brown Foundation, Inc. was established on August 8, 2005, as 501(c)(3) corporation. The Molly Brown name was take from "Molly Brown," the survivor of the Titanic, who was later involved with philanthropy for underprivileged children in the Denver, Colorado. She also became known as the "Unsinkable Molly Brown" because of her tough nature and steadfast devotion to her causes.
Our name was formally changed on August 28, 2007, to North Carolina Sports for Special Kids, Foundation, Inc., to reflect on local, community-based efforts. NC Sports for Special Kids is non-profit organization run by people who want to give something to the community and who have themselves benefited by participating in athletics throughout their lives. With no connections to any parent organizations and no political agenda, NC Sports for Special Kids Foundation, Inc. has the goal of reaching as many children as possible and involving any other organization that is capable and willing to contribute.To provide growth and fellowship to handicapped youth in the Triangle area using athletics as the foundation. Through a network of facilities and individuals in the area, these youth will have expanded access and opportunity to participate in sports and gain the benefits that accompany participation.
By linking facilities, programs and people together, children facing increased challenges will have the same opportunities to play, learn and grow through sports as other children in the area
Who We Are
North Carolina Sports for Special Kids Foundation is a new, privately funded charity in the Triangle engaged in fund raising activities to provide opportunities for physical development, growth and character development for physically challenged children. The Board of Directors include many area professionals who are committed to giving something back to the community and to encouraging special-needs children to participate in physical training.
Board of Directors
Mike Atkinson
Mike Atkinson is a Senior Vice President with First Citizens Bank and Trust Company. A graduate of Duke University, Mike lettered in both Football and Track. In addition to his involvement with N.C Sports for Special Kids, Mike currently chairs the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program and is an Executive Committee member of the Duke Athletic Council. A life-long North Carolinian, Durham has been home for Mike since 1981.
John M. Constantinou
John M. Constantinou has been the owner and principal partner of the law firm Contantinou Law Group, PA for 27 years, having practiced in the Durham/Orange/Wake County areas for the entirety of his practice. John has dedicated himself to philanthropic causes in the state of North Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Central University School of Law, graduating with honors and serving on the NCCU Law Journal.
Greg Dobbyn
Greg Dobbyn is President and CEO of AirClean Systems, a company based in Raleigh NC that manufactures Medical and Scientific equipment. Greg was born and grew up in Australia but has lived in North Carolina since 1988. Greg hopes that Sports for Special Kids will help fill some of the service voids that his own late handicapped son faced. Although an avid Duke fan his daughter Krystina currently attends UNC Chapel Hill while son Andrew attends American University in Washington DC. Greg’s wife Sue is a former C.P.A and graduate of Duke and Florida State Universities.
Lisa Dukelow
Lisa Dukelow is a principal partner in the firm of Darsie, Sharpe, Mackritis & Dukelow, PLLC. Ms Dukelow obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from North Carolina Central Law School in May, 1995. Ms. Dukelow obtained her Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law in May, 1995, summa cum laude. Undergraduate education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bachelor of Arts, in Political Science. At North Carolina Central University, Ms. Dukelow was a member of the North Carolina Central University Law Journal during the 1993-1994 school year; Associate Editor of the North Carolina Central University Law Journal during the 1994-1995 school year; and a senior member of the Trial Advocacy Team.
James Knuth
Recently retired senior pastor (17 yrs) of Grace Lutheran Church in Durham, NC. He previously served as senior pastor of Calvary Chapel, a large campus ministry at the University of Wisconsin (12). He served a total of 41 years in congregational ministries taking additional University courses at UW in Hebrew and Semitics. He is a graduate with a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. He served the Air National Guard as a chaplain having served tours for the Air Force in Cuba, Egypt, Greenland, Germany, and Portuagal. He served for 33 years of reserve military service while managing his civilian service as a pastor. He retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel. He provided 12 years of service as a reconciler for his church body having provided various civic and ecclesiastical service on boards and committees. He lives in Durham and presently serves as a vacancy pastor where congregations are in need of interim service and direction.
Rose Mackritis
Rose Mackritis is a principal partner in the law firm of Darsie, Sharpe, Mackritis & Dukelow, PLLC. Ms Mackritis obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1990. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, magna cum laude in 1987 where she was selected as the oustanding undergraduate student in the School of Business and Economics. Ms. Mackritis has lived in North Carolina since 1989.
Jimmy Melton
Jimmy Melton is CEO of Grancrete, Inc. He is a graduate of Duke University, both undergraduate and graduate. He has lived and worked in this area since 1981 working in fields including clinical research, education, consulting and now new age building materials.
Jimmy Sharpe
Jimmy Sharpe is a principal partner in the firm of Darsie, Sharpe, Mackritis & Dukelow, PLLC. Mr. Sharpe obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from North Carolina Central Law School in May, 1981, cum laude. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in 1976. At North Carolina Central University, Mr. Sharpe was a member of the North Carolina Central University Law Journal during the 1979-1980 school year and Editor-In-Chief of the North Carolina Central University Law Journal during the 1980-1981 school year. Mr. Sharpe has been a regular volunteer for many Triangle programs over his career including, but not limited to North Carolina Legal Aid, Durham Human Rights Commission and Duke University School of Law, pro bono project. Mr. Sharpe has been practicing law since 1981 and is a State certified mediator and serves across the state as an arbitrator approved by the Superior and District Courts of North Carolina since 1985. Jimmy was the originator of the idea that has become NC Sports for Special Kids and he was the founding incorporator of The Molly Brown Foundation, Inc., the predecessor organization.
Cathy Wickward
Cathy is a wife and mother of three. She has a physically challenged child who loves to be involved in all kinds of activities with others. He is an inspiration to everyone he meets for his perseverance and attitude. Cathy works at Duke Clinical Research Institute. She became involved with NC Sports for Special Kids after seeing first hand how much Special Kids need a place to play here in the Triangle area.