About 3-Star Foundation

Our Mission

The 3-Star Foundation, Inc. was created to challenge area youth to achieve their fullest potential as individuals and community members by providing opportunities for academic (mind), physical (body), and character growth (soul).

Our Why

According to the National Center For Fathering and The Fatherless Generation:

85% of youths in prison come from fatherless homes
71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes
90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes
60% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes

Nearly 25 million children live without their biological father

Although the importance of mature Christian men in a child's life cannot be understated, we recognize that every family situation is different. It is not always possible for a biological or step-father to be present. This is where children can benefit from community resources that can fulfill this gap.

Many communities have seen great success with mentoring programs for at-risk youth. Mentors, teachers, coaches, clergy, and other adults can provide support and guidance that can counteract the risks of living in a single-parent home.

Our approach

  • Provide extra-curricular programming for at-risk youth to enhance academics and build character.​

  • Collaborate with a network of community organizations and businesses who can implement elements of the 3-Star strategy.​

  • Maximize resources by an effective collaboration that is guided by the 3-Star board and philosophy.​​

Our core value

Our core biblical value is 1 Corinthians 13:11, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."

Our desire is to develop young men who demonstrate Godly character on and off the court.

Our Board

  • Dave has served as a leader and administrator in education since 2003. He joined the education ranks after having served the corporate world as an Industrial Engineer starting in 1987 after graduating from Geneve College with a degree in engineering. Dave later continued his education and was conferred a Master of Science in Education degree from Wilkes University in 2019.

    Dave is the co-founder of 3 Star Foundation which was incorporated in 1996. He has served in many roles in the ministry and currently serves as the Board Chairman. He has also served as a Board member and volunteer for Center for Champions, as well as Medard’s House which are both youth mentoring organizations.

    Dave has been married to the love of his life, Pamela, since 1988. They have 3 adult daughters and husbands, with 4 grandchildren and counting. They enjoy spending time with their daughters and their growing families.

Jim Gallagher

  • Jim had been serving clients in the advertising and branding industries for over since 1982. He currently serves as a Brand Ambassador with Proforma Print Marketing. Along with his current role as Treasurer with 3 Star Jim has been volunteering with 3 Star since 2009. He has served a number of organizations in the area including Harrisburg Food Ministries, L.I.F.E. (Leading Inmates In Faith and Education) ,United Way of the Capital Region, and current board member with Sara’s House of Hope. He’s enjoying a recent role as a Score Mentor assisting new or existing business owners with strategic counsel and resources to positively increase our community’s economic impact. He married his best friend Eileen in 1978. They have 4 children and 7 grandchildren with 1 on the way. He loves to spend time with them especially at their home at the Jersey shore.

  • David is a local High School Mathematics Teacher in the Harrisburg School District for 20 years. He has been volunteering and coaching for over 18 years – including several years at both Bishop McDevitt and Camp Hill as the JV and Varsity Assistant Coach. After growing a family, he transitioned to serving with The 3 Star Foundation in various capacities as Student Success Coordinator, Coach, Mentor, Referee and Recruiter. He became a Board Member 3 years ago.

    He attended John F. Kennedy HS in Silver Spring, MD before graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration from Messiah College. After working in Insurance for a couple years, he changed careers to the Educational Field.

    David has 4 children (one girl and three boys), a set of 15 year old twins, an 11 and 7 year old. He loves spending time with his family and friends, all kinds of sports, music and The Lord Jesus Christ. He spends his time coaching his children in basketball, soccer and baseball – as well as training and of course attending their games.

  • Married for 43 years and raised four college educated children. Worked for the Harrisburg School District as a Career Teacher in the field of Drafting and Design Technology for over 25 years and recently retired as a Career and Technology Principal in Lebanon PA, with a total of 32 years in public Education.

    I enjoy spending time with my family, fishing, traveling and working with the youth in the community. I joined the 3Star Foundation in 2013 as the Program Coordinator and more recently (2018) became a member of the 3Star Board of Directors. I have been truly blessed over my lifetime and I am destined to share my blessings with God’s help.

  • VISIONARY & BOARD MEMBER

    In the Spring of 1995 Charlie woke up early in the morning with a vision to start a program to reach kids for Christ through the vehicle of Sports. He got his pen and tablet and wrote for 3 hours. The name of this Sports outreach was originally called “Sports Integrity”. This vision came while he was playing basketball for the Harrisburg Hammerheads CBA professional basketball team. Charlie’s call to reach kids first started on 13th St in Harrisburg volunteering at Life Center Church outreach. He got a Van and started coaching a team full of inner-city youth driving them all over to give these players the opportunity to play in basketball leagues. This summer basketball outreach sprouted adding; Soccer, Football, and Baseball camps that offered kids the chance to know Christ through sports instruction. In the Summer of 1996, after 2 summers of “Sports Integrity” Summer Christian Camps, Charlie teamed up with Dave Marshall to develop the outreach into a full-fledged nonprofit organization. Dave was instrumental in the 1996 Summer camp outreach and had experience in the nonprofit industry. The “Sports Integrity” camps were promoting Body, Mind and Spirit and being named the 3 key stars that every person needs to succeed in life. Dave and Charlie Agreed to change the name to the “3 Star Foundation” while incorporating it into an official nonprofit 501c3. For the last 28 years, Charlie has served as a leader, board member, and supporter of all “3 Star Foundation” activities. He feels extremely blessed to see so many good role models join in his vision over the years. Charlie’s background as a Division 1 basketball player at UNC GREENSBORO and current owner of “Advanced HOOPS” training programs allows him to bring credibility and support to the vision of the “3 Star foundation”.

  • Gerald was born and raised in New Bern, NC. He received a basketball scholarship to play at the University of Richmond where he became a 4-year starter. Graduated with a B.A. degree in Speech Communications and a Minor in Sports Science. Upon graduating from the University, he played professionally overseas for several years with other pro players. His last stint overseas was in Australia where he was named the Most Valuable Player of the league. He has coached at the collegiate as well as high school level. In addition to coaching, he has served as a mentor for many young people over the years and assisted them in raising their performance levels in school, becoming a better athlete, career exploration, etc. He is currently the Founder/Director of Nothin' But Next Basketball training as well as Jarmon International, which is a leadership development company founded on principles of true mentorship. He has a son who plays college basketball at Clarion University.

  • ASSISTANT PROGRAM COORDINATOR

    Archie Smith Jr. is a native of Phenix City, Alabama and attended Russell County High School in Seale, Alabama where he played and started in all three sports: football, basketball, and track & field. At a young age, Coach Archie was known for his high energy, relentless drive to compete and leadership skills which resulted in him becoming a 3-time letterman in both football and basketball. Coach Archie was recognized as a 2 time "All-Bi-City" selection in both sports. He is also the 3rd highest points scorer in a basketball game with 48 points at his Alma Mater.

    Although Basketball is "King" in his family, after High School Coach Archie decided to continue his career in football at Alabama State University in Montgomery Al. where he majored in Computer Information Systems and minored in Business. Coach Archie opted out after his junior year to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL and after a couple tryouts he landed himself in the Arena Football League where he had a successful career, he later signed to the Harrisburg Stampede, the first professional football team in Harrisburg, Pa. In just 7 years he finished with 86 interceptions in his career.

    Coach Archie and his family moved from New Orleans, where he was living at the time, to Harrisburg, Pa., where he began to make a name for himself in the community as a top trainer for the youth specializing in Quickness/Speed/Agility classes and coaching for a premier AAU Basketball program in Central Pa. Archie coached 4 years at Central dauphin boys basketball 1 year basketball at Bishop McDevitt and currently has been on football staff for the last 3 years.

    Archie is currently the director of training and marketing and lead trainer for Advanced Hoops training Inc.