Once in a lifetime …
Some things only come around once in a lifetime and when they do you have to GRAB ‘EM no matter the cost – job, money, time!!
Well, my once-in-a-lifetime happened – I was selected as a USA Beach Handball Official for the ANOC World Beach Games in Qatar this October. This is a first-of-its-kind event with the Assoc. of National Olympic Committees… Juliano and the USA Women’s Team ( and the Men's Team) qualified with a GLORIOUS Gold Medal win at the Continental Qualifier. It's THE most incredible history-making opportunity to date in our handball career AND most well deserved for all our hard work.
Hard Work Pays Off … but…
THE ONLY PROBLEM?? The US Olympic Committee is paying for the athletes and coaches (YAY!), but they are not paying for my travel as the single staff member responsible for helping the Men’s and Women’s delegations…. No matter the cost, right? We have always been totally SELF-funded and usually receive no official support to represent the United States in competition. All our travel expenses have come out of our pockets. (We do have some generous personal supporters.) This year alone Juliano and I have traveled to Germany, Greece, and Trinidad for the USA --- but Qatar is a whole other story. I am honored to have been chosen but I REALLY need your help.
Here’s how you can HELP MAKE HISTORY!
I need to raise $2500 to help cover all my flights, hotel, food, and transportation costs for the World Beach Games in Qatar….yes, I have to pay for everything.
Any size donation will help! Or maybe you have miles that you can pass on? (If you have in-kind gifts you would like to donate, we will be happy to use them as well -- sunscreen, nutritional products, sunglasses, flip-flops)
WHY BEACH HANDBALL, YOU ASK?
Juliano and I STRONGLY believe that Beach Handball, as a sport, helps break down barriers and build bridges everywhere the teams play. We represent the United States the way we want people to think of our country ... no fake news or politics on the sand.... just humble in victory, gracious in defeat, a friend to all with smiles and hugs ... PEOPLE playing a sport they love with other PEOPLE.
Are we changing the world? Maybe not, but we can bring PEACE to our little piece of this planet. AND THIS IS WHY WE ASK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
Yes, I know ... you get this message a lot. And we are grateful from the bottoms of little handball lovin' hearts for your constant support and generosity.
Sooooo .... JOIN US....AGAIN! ALL IT TAKES -- WE MAKE IT SO EASY!!

• 5 donations of $500
• 25 donations of $100
• 50 donations of $50
• 100 donations of $25

And here are some amazing perks for supporting us that you can’t live without!!
$500 Donation:
TOP of the list! Signed picture of the USA Women’s Team, Official Tournament T-shirt, Official USA Beach Handball pin that we hand out only in competition…. And a big official shout-out on my social media for being the MOST AWESOME!
$100 Donation:
We have teamed up with our very good friend Steve Bennett from Bennett Woodcraft who handcrafts beautiful wooden and acrylic pens. For a donation of $100, we will send you a uniquely crafted Steve original hand-turned pen … each one is one of a kind. Julz and I each have one of these gorgeous creations and love every minute using it! You can find them @Bennett Woodcraft on FB.

$50 Donation:
Rep USA Beach Handball with some fancy threads! We will be happy to send you an official USA Beach Handball jersey or t-shirt. Men's and women's shirts are different.
$25 Donation:
Show your support around town with your official USA Beach Handball sticker for your car.
Oh and the best part?? These donations are tax-deductible, if you would like, through USA Team Handball, a non-profit organization. Please send me an email at [email protected] to discuss this. Or Venmo is always an option @Mellissa-deOliveira

So, can we count on you to help me get to Qatar and make history at this ONCE in a Lifetime Olympic Event? You can look back and say I was a part of that AMAZING JOURNEY -- I have the pen, shirt, sticker, love letter to prove it!
Thank you so very much,
Juliano and Mellissa