5th Annual giveSPORTS Equipment Drive to Provide Sports Equipment and Sports Scholarships to Colorado Kids in Need

The 5th Annual giveSPORTS Equipment Drive presented by KeyBank will be held at the Pepsi Center on Saturday, August 20 from 9 AM to Noon in the Rav 4 Parking Lot. Event co-founders, Kroenke Sports Charities and A Precious Child, invite the public to support underprivileged children in their desire to participate in sports by dropping off new and gently-used sports equipment and monetary donations at this event. Local representatives from the major sports teams are in attendance to help thank the community for their contribution to the cause.
 
The giveSPORTS program provides new and gently-used sports equipment to disadvantaged and displaced children by giving them the opportunity to get involved in organized sports. Additionally, giveSPORTS provides scholarships to cover the costs of registration and other sports-related fees.  
Low-income children are among the least likely to participate in organized sports. Participation in extracurricular sports significantly impacts short and long-term educational, emotional, behavioral, and physical outcomes for disadvantaged, poverty stricken youth.
 
A Precious Child’s giveSPORTS program was started by 12-year-old, Dustin Martin, in 2011. Knowing the powerful impact sports had on his own life, this young man sought to ensure all children regardless of circumstance had the opportunity to play sports. Another exceptional young person, Jessica Ghawi, an aspiring sports journalist for Kroenke Sports had a similar dream to provide children who were victims of the Colorado wildfires with equipment that they lost. Unfortunately, young Jessica lost her life in the Aurora Theater tragedy. Together, Kroenke Sports Charities and A Precious Child have combined efforts to fulfill both Jessica and Dustin’s dreams in a community wide equipment drive to help put a kid in the game. Last year alone, the event brought in over 20,000 pieces of sports equipment and more than $14,000 in sports scholarships for local kids in need.
 
“There are thousands of Colorado children living in poverty today who want nothing more than to participate in sports alongside their peers,” said Carina Martin of A Precious Child. “We are looking to the community to donate sports equipment and funds to help us put all kids in the game regardless of their circumstances,” she continued.
 
A Precious Child invites companies, sports teams, and community groups to join their giveSPORTS Corporate and Team Challenge during August 8-August 19th to collect funds as well as new and gently-used sports equipment and drop off their donations at the 5^th Annual giveSPORTS Equipment Drive on August 20th. For more information please visit http://www.apreciouschild.org/programs/givesports
 
###
About Kroenke Sports Charities- Kroenke Sports Charities is committed to improving lives through the spirit and power of sports. We strive to serve our community through education, health and fitness initiatives, athletic programs, and direct aid, with the particular purpose of helping families, children, veterans, and the disabled. Kroenke Sports Charities provides relevant programs and support, directly and with other nonprofit organizations, to ultimately assist, encourage, and enrich the lives of those in need.
 
About A Precious Child, Inc. - About A Precious Child, Inc. - A Precious Child is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to making a positive impact in the lives of disadvantaged and displaced children and families in Colorado by improving their quality of life. A Precious Child provides impoverished Colorado children and families with basic essentials such as clothing, shoes, baby formula, diapers, coats, backpacks and school supplies, sports equipment, holiday gifts, and more. Through its newest program, The COR (Child Outcomes Resource) Center, A Precious Child also provides case management services focused on helping a child to be successful in school including referrals for services related to safety, basic needs, education/workforce development, health and wellness, and social and emotional well-being. Since 2008, A Precious Child has provided clothing and essentials valued at over $13 million to more than 143,000 children and their caregivers. A Precious Child serves eight counties surrounding the Denver Metro area, including: Arapahoe, Adams, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, and Weld Counties. For more information, call 303.466.4272, or visit APreciousChild.org