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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Have an extra set of golf clubs, shin guards, tennis racquets or a basketball you want to donate? It's time to "Play It Forward" as The Sports Fund holds a sports equipment drive at the Tennessee Titans' home game this Sunday, Sept. 29.
Volunteers for the Sports Fund, an initiative of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, will be on site at LP Field this Sunday to collect donations of new and gently-used sports equipment. Items collected will be sorted and distributed to local nonprofits which fit The Fund's mission of providing team membership experiences to
at-risk youth in the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee. The Sports Fund will also hold equipment drives with the Vanderbilt Commodores (home football game on Saturday, Oct. 19), the Nashville Predators and the Nashville Sounds.
The Sports Fund supports Middle Tennessee nonprofits and community programs which offer kids the chance to be on a team, to belong to something bigger than themselves. From that experience children learn to do their best, that playing by the rules isn't optional, discipline, and how to play well with others.
Many Sports Fund grantees will also offer kids a range of resources including tutoring, providing a source of activity during after-school hours, and nutritious meals.
"When we watch the Titans take the field we are looking at individuals who would not be where they are without having learned life skills from coaches," said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. "Nobody teaches the value of hard work, discipline, 'gutting it out,' and interpersonal responsibility better than coaches. That in a nutshell is the opportunity The Sports Fund is providing to girls and boys across Middle Tennessee. We are grateful to the Tennessee Titans for hosting The Sports Fund for our inaugural 'Play It Forward' equipment drive. The Titans are helping us save lives and secure the future of these kids and our community."
THE SPORTS FUND'S "PLAY IT FORWARD" EQUIPMENT DRIVE Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets
LP Field
Sunday, Sept. 29
Drop-off time: 12:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Earlier this year, The Sports Fund made its inaugural charitable grants to 13 Middle Tennessee nonprofits providing quality programs for children and youth. Organizations awarded grants include Ultimate Goal, which provides children of new American, lower economic families the opportunity to participate in youth soccer; Girls on the Run which inspires, educates and prepares girls for a lifetime of self-respect, positive relationships and healthy active living; and ABLE Youth, which uses sports as a tool for teaching wheelchair-bound children the skills of independence.
For more information about The Sports Fund, please visit www.TheSportsFund.org, or contact Tyler Nelson at tnelson@cfmt.org or 615-321-4939.
About The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee oversees more than 850 charitable funds, providing customized philanthropic solutions with flexibility for donors, nonprofit organizations and the community. In the past 22 years, The Community Foundation has distributed more than $600 million to community programs and institutions. It is located at 3833 Cleghorn Avenue, #400, Nashville, Tennessee 37215. For more information, call 615-321-4939 or visit www.cfmt.org.
