Portsmouth Ohio sports equipment giveaway
Free sports equipment will be handed out to kids on Thursday, August 13. The Lindy Infante Foundation will pass out sports bags at Spartan Stadium from 11 am to 2 pm (while supplies last.)
Each child gets one bag containing a piece of sports equipment. A child might get a football, basketball, or jump rope. The idea behind the giveaway is to help keep kids active during the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s a limit of one bag per child.
Participants will stay in their vehicles during the event. Supplies will be brought to them. Portsmouth Mayor Kevin E. Johnson and First Ward Councilman Sean Dunne will be on hand to help distribute the bags. Staff members and students from Portsmouth Elementary will also assist.
Kids Deserve To Play
Lindy Infante was a college football player and NFL coach. Infante grew up in poverty and credited the Boys and Girls Clubs with giving him a hand up in life. The goal of the foundation is to remove the barriers that prevent children from participating in organized youth sports.
The foundation makes donations to various Ohio organizations to help ensure that kids have access to sports. According to the foundation, “58% of all community-based sports fees are rising and 24% of high schools in the United States no longer offer sports. The rising costs of participation have closed the doors to youth sports for many children and teens in need. The playing field has been tilted in favor of wealthier families. The Lindy Infante Foundation is committed to leveling that playing field and ensuring that no young person misses out. We work to bring out the greatness in every child with a chance to play, grow, and excel through sports.”
The organization provides scholarships to families in need. These scholarships cover a portion of the fees of sports participation up to $300 per child, per year. Financial assistance is only provided to kids from households with income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.
Payments are made directly to the youth sports organization. You can learn more about applying for a scholarship by clicking on this link: https://lindyinfantefoundation.org/apply/eligibility-requirements/.
