PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A Pasco County mom and daughter are making it possible for more kids to get involved in youth sports. They are doing that to honor a family member who was murdered.
What You Need To Know
Ashley Robinson and mom Lori Bolan started the Dream Big Children’s Foundation
The organization raises money to help pay for children to participate in youth sports
They do it in honor of Michael Bolan who was murdered in Colorado in 2024
Michael Bolan participated in many sports as a young person
On a recent Saturday morning, Ashley Robinson and her mom Lori Bolan were running a fundraising youth basketball tournament at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.
“This is where you can keep track of his shots, three points and free throws,” Robinson said to a volunteer who would help keep track of scoring.
Robinson is a big believer in the benefits of youth sports.
“I want to make sure that every kid who wants to play has the opportunity to play sports. Because I really do think that youth sports is so important in child development,” she said. “It can teach confidence. It can teach teamwork that can be carried into adulthood. It also teaches discipline and following through with your commitments.”
Robinson’s inspiration to help pay for children to participate in youth sports comes from her brother Michael Bolan. He played every sport he could. That included baseball, basketball and soccer.
“He was very into sports growing up,” said Robinson. “He played at least one season of every single sport.”
But when Michael was murdered in Colorado in 2024 it left the family devastated. That’s when Robinson decided to turn her grief into action. She started the Dream Big Children’s Foundation in Michael’s honor. Money raised by the foundation helps pay for children to participate in sports.
Robinson and Bolan both do foundation work.
“I think it helped both of us with our grief, said Robinson. “It gave us something else to focus on. You know instead of my brother’s death.”
“Every kid needs to dream big. Every kid needs an opportunity to try. And go after their dream,” said Bolan.
“It makes me feel really good,” said Robinson. “It reminds me of my brother being on the field. We do go to some of these game days they have so we can see some of our kids play. It really is rewarding knowing we helped them do that.”
Robinson says her foundation has reached out to local elementary schools and local organizations to let them know the foundation would like to help children who need help with the costs of youth sorts.
“We have also reached out to local leagues in the area that if you have anybody who cannot pay their registration fees, like please send them our way. And we’ll be glad to help them.”