Mike Martinez, a lifelong Portage resident and a 1998 Portage High School graduate is this week’s A Portage Life in the Spotlight. Not only is Mike the voice of the Portage Indians for home basketball and football games, he is the founder of Hannah’s Hope, a non-profit organization aimed at donating funds to organizations that help children with neurological disabilities such as cerebral palsy, stokes or other types of brain traumas.
Hannah’s Hope was started by Mike and his wife Mary in 2010 after discovering that their daughter Hannah had a prenatal stroke.
“We decided to attempt to turn a negative and make it a positive,” Martinez said. “There is no better feeling in the world than helping others. The goal is simple....provide hope. We are not only helping with dollars, we are hopefully letting other families know that there are others out there going thru the same scenario. If we are able to provide hope and a smile to families then we could not ask for more.”
Since starting Hannah’s Hope, the response has been tremendous and people are always willing to pitch in and help be it a golf outing or other fundraiser.
“To date, in our first two years, Hannah's Hope has been able to donate nearly $45,000 to different organizations. We are looking forward to bigger and better things in 2012.” Martinez added joyfully.
Martinez said it is simple to get involved. They are always looking for volunteers and support from businesses.
“We are always looking for anyone and everyone who would love to get involved. There are three simple ways to find us. You can go to our website, hannahshope.org, you can go to Facebook and search for "Hannah's Hope”, or email me at mikem@hannahshope.org," Martinez said.
With a busy family life raising three daughters, Haley, 5, and Hannah, 2, and Hadynn, 4 months, Mike has a lot on his plate but that does not stop him from getting involved in the Portage community. Mike is the announcer for both girls and boys basketball and varsity football.
“Being the announcer for both the football and basketball teams for the last five years or so has been a blast. You get to watch the student-athletes come up thru the different programs and grow as not only athletes, but bright young people that you know will go on to do bigger and better things.” Martinez said, “The interaction with the fans as well is always fun.”
With a growing student fan base at Portage with the inception of the Superfans of Portage High School Facebook page, Martinez believes our student section is top notch.
“I believe we are slowly starting to build traditions between myself and all the fans that show up to support. I will put our student section up against anyone!” he added.
With all Mike does for his community, family, and his charity organization, he is undoubtedly A Portage Life in the Spotlight!