A simple declaration. Challenge each other, complete it and pledge, all for a good cause.
As the COVID-19 pandemic affected her Las Vegas community, Danielle Kang wanted to give back. The three-time LPGA Tour winner and major champion, along with her boyfriend, PGA Tour player Maverick McNealy, decided to utilize their golf skill set and put the world to the test with #ChallengeEachOther benefiting Three Square, a Las Vegas area food bank.
“During this time, I know it's very frustrating for us golfers to not be able to practice or compete,” said Kang. “However, we all know that some of us are in a better situation than (others). I personally know that food is an issue for many people whether there is a pandemic or not, which got us to think the problem must've gotten worse.”
Kang began volunteering for Three Square for the first time earlier this year, where one dollar equates to three meals for those in need. According to Kang, the organization relies on funds, volunteers and donations to reach more than 164,000 hungry people each month. She said she has a strong passion for helping people in need of food after working with UNICEF USA and UNICEF Korea, and participating in the Birdies for a Brighter Future campaign that raised donations to support nutrition funding for UNICEF.
In her original video on the fundraiser’s Instagram page, Kang and McNealy explained the essence of the social media challenge. They issued the original challenge – juggling a golf ball with any club ten times and catching it in a pocket – and asked friends and followers to continue by completing, sharing and pledging. The response has gone global.
“The responses have been unbelievably positive. More than anything we love seeing the smiles on everyone's faces on Every. Single. Video,” said Kang. “We have had the opportunity to watch videos from all over the world. Malaysia, Korea, London, Scotland, Japan, Singapore, Canada... the list goes on!
“Social media has given us the platform to connect and we hope that people can see how impactful each person can be. When people come together, there is nothing we can't accomplish.”
Other LPGA Tour players took their turn in the challenge as well:
Kang hopes her message carries through the unfortunate circumstances that keep her at home instead of out competing on the LPGA Tour. “Maverick and I are hoping to create a few more chain reactions of challenges where people can challenge their own friends and family with whatever they desire,” said Kang. “We're hoping to make an impression that challenging each other in life is a way of learning from one another and to improve ourselves.”
Donations can be made through this link: https://pledgeit.org/threesquare