INDIANAPOLIS -
If you have a surplus of sports gear - cleats that your kids have outgrown, or an overrun of samples at your business - Geared for Health could use your donation.
The Geared for Health goal is to get that equipment to children who can put it to use, get active and stay healthy.
At Garden City Elementary in Wayne Township, soccer balls are sixth grader Victor Villagomez's favorite sports gear.
"I started playing soccer at Garden City and improved with this ball and got to play on a travel team and I play defense and mid," he said.
It's a success for his gym teacher.
"If it hadn't have been for the generosity of the people in the community, I don't know that those kids would have ever had the opportunity to improve their skills enough to be able to be on a team like that," said Joni Lawler, Garden City physical education teacher.
Because when it comes to getting gear, "There is no budget," Lawler explained.
Lawler says she has no budget for making purchases. That is why she applied for equipment through the Indiana Sport Corporation's Geared for Health program. All new and gently used sports items are donated from corporations and families.
"We pretty much take it all," said Molly Powell, Indiana Sports Corp. director of youth planning.
The warehouse space is donated by Shiel Sexton and contains bins of basketballs, soccer balls and bats.
"Cleats, lots of cleats. A lot of these kids just need shoes that fit them properly," she said.
USA Track and Field donated brand new jerseys - enough for an entire track team.
"The only thing legally we can't take are helmets," said Powell.
Even fancy treadmills fans are donated - and essential for eight-year-old Susie Fulbright's walking plan.
"It's a lot cooler because it's so hot in here. This makes me cooler," she said as she turned the fan up.
"She likes the fact that she can get her heart rate up and she knows that it's making her a healthier person," said Lawler.
Lawler says active kids do better in class, and early introduction sets a foundation for life.
"Athletes don't just happen at the high school. They are created from kindergarten on up," she said.
This year ISP has collected 42,000 items and 140 youth oriented programs are signed up to collect the gear at a massive distribution day next Tuesday, September 25th at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Lawler says she hopes when you visit her gym, she hopes you'll see that donated items are put to good use.
Three upcoming collections:
Saturday September 22 at Woodland Bowl, 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday September 23 Colts Game Day Collection at Lucas Oil Stadium, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday September 25 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. , drive through drop off on Bankers Life Court
WTHR, led by collection drive co-chairs Anne Marie Tiernon and Dave Calabro, is providing promotional support along with long-time partner St.Vincent.
Learn how to donate, or apply for equipment.
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