Founders

As a child, Annie Leffingwell O’Keeffe hooped for fun. Around May 5, 2005, she thought it would be great to have an international holiday for hooping, and that blossomed into a dream to have the whole world hoop for peace on December 12, 2012. To accomplish this goal, hoops would have to be donated to those who could not afford one.  She spent four months of 2005 traveling through Europe and Asia talking about World Hoop Day.

Since 2000, Stefan has been the nexus for all hooping activity in New York City. He has taken the hoop to new heights with his creation: GrooveHoops™. Stefan’s unique hoop style and clown training creates a pleasure for audiences of any age. For the past 7 years, Stefan has taught the GrooveHoops curriculum at events, parties, festivals and gatherings all over the world.

A natural born hooper, Kevin’s skills for making and giving hoops for peace became a passion and current driving force behind his travels. With his extensive history of worldly adventures, Kevin is no stranger to the needs of people both near and far. He has contributed to World Hoop Day events in New York City 2007, San Francisco 2008-9 and New Orleans and Washington D.C 2010. He has initiated hoop drops to Mexican orphanages, schools and community social centers. Kevin’s family business, O’Keeffe’s, Inc., provided the much needed start up capitol funding World Hoop Day’s International Ambassadors.