Get In The Game
Get in the Game is both a concept and a charity, whose goal has always been simple - Promote volunteerism, get involved with making your community, your neighborhood and your world a better place. No matter what your problems may be, helping others can give you an opportunity to make things better for someone else. And in turn, someone may help you too.

In other words, don't just sit on the sidelines - Get In The Game!

G.I.T.G. was developed by legendary radio executive Jim Lyle - known to many as Jim Steel - after being diagnosed with the terminal illness called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or commonly known as Lou Gehrigs disease. There is no cure for ALS.

This diagnosis would be crippling for some people. And at first, for Jim it caused him a lot of grief and doubt. In May of 2002, within a year of his diagnosis, Jim attended a seminar at the ALS National Convention in Washington, D.C. - and had a life changing epiphany. Jim described the moment clearly, later, telling friends that in the midst of a room full of caregivers, suddenly, Jim saw what appeared to be halos above the heads of everyone. Then, God's message pierced his ear loud and clear:
Get In The Game. Help those that can't help themselves.

Jim's mission became very simple after that.  Promote volunteerism.

Jim Steel with his wife, Karin, and daughter, Delani.
(Photo courtesy of THE TOLEDO BLADE/HERRAL LONG )
So Jim became a vocal and strong opponent for volunteerism, both in his community, and around the world.

ALS didn't stop Jim's efforts to help others, either. Jim continued working into early 2007 as the Director of Operations for nine radio stations in both Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska.
 
With the assistance of his employer, along with Volunteer Partners of Lincoln, Nebraska and United Way/CHAD Combined Health Agencies Drive of Omaha, Nebraska, Get in the Game became a message and a call to action that has encouraged listeners by the thousands to get involved with their communities. For even more about Jim's life,  check out the story, HERE, from the Toledo Blade newspaper about Jim.

In the Spring of 2007, Jim retired from radio - and the stations he managed in Lincoln were sold to Three Eagles Communications. Three Eagles Communications continues to this day to carry the GITG messages on their Lincoln radio stations, and is proud to support the Get In The Game foundation and it's efforts.

In the Fall of 2007, on November 27, Jim passed away, at home, after an amazing journey through life.

Today, Jim's legacy of volunteerism continues, through the G.I.T.G. foundation, in both Omaha and Lincoln.

The belief of G.I.T.G.  - and of Jim - has always been that many people are willing to volunteer time, but don't always know who needs help or who to contact. That's where Volunteer Partners, United Way of the Midlands, and Community Health Charities-Nebraska (formerly CHAD) play a significant role in the placement of potential volunteers.  Whether it's one hour a week, month or year, these organizations will match the potential volunteer with whoever needs help. The radio message of Get in the Game is simple and flexible enough to be a generic plea for help or pinpoint an exact need of a specific non-profit organization.
If you or your organization is looking to "Get In The Game", click on one of the logos of the GITG supporting charities, to find out how you can help.

Get in the Game, the charity, is a division of Carties Kids, a non-profit organization based in Ohio, and associated with Return to Home, an independent, non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Ohio.  Tax-deductible donations will help offset impending medical and living expenses. A portion of the funds raised will also be designated for the Nebraska Chapter of the ALS Association, Nebraska MDA, Volunteer Partners and/or the Bob Hohn ALS Foundation, Inc..  For more information send an email to withfrequency@hotmail.com