Creating a level playing field for all kids equally #GivingTuesday
/Local non-profit Leveling the Playing Field creates Covid-safe kits so kids get sports equipment that they might otherwise not have the chance to own and use, ensuring as many kids as possible have equal access.
by Jillian Stringer
Did you know that low-income families are more than three times less likely to enroll their kids in youth sports because of the high cost of participation?
While in college, Max Levitt worked as an equipment manager at Syracuse University for the football program. He saw how at the end of every season they got rid of the “old equipment” to make room for the latest models, even though most of it was unused or in good shape. When he would go home for the summer, he would see equipment merely collecting dust in his parents’ friends' garages. After seeing this, the idea for Leveling the Playing Field (LPF) was born.
"It ultimately led me to create what was essentially a ‘food bank for sporting equipment’ through which we could funnel used gear to children who desperately needed it," said Levitt.
LPF has a warehouse where they sort and collect the sporting equipment.
Since 2013, Leveling the Playing Field has been collecting new and gently-used sports and playground equipment to donate to underprivileged groups, community programs, and schools. They have grown from collecting the equipment in his parent’s basement to having two warehouses, in Silver Spring and Baltimore. With the support of corporate sponsors like Under Armour and the Baltimore Ravens, as well as generous donations from our community, they have been able to collect over $6.5 million in equipment to donate to youth organizations, after-school programs, schools, and sports leagues.
Leveling the Playing Fields has impacted over 950 programs in the DMV area, helping to bridge the gap for the growing inequality between those that can afford to play sports and those that cannot.
They are making sure no child is left on the sideline no matter what their family’s economic situation may be.
A local teen collected a trailer full of equipment donations for his Eagle Scout Project.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they pivoted their usual distribution to directly reach children in need. They began by putting together the LPF Sports Kit, a package of sports equipment designed to be used individually or in small groups, to allow kids to remain active while still maintaining social distancing. Included in this kit is: a jump rope, pedometer, frisbee, 4 sets of cones, and a sports ball.
Thus far, they have been able to provide DC public schools with thousands of LPF Sports Kits. It has provided a much-needed distraction to youth and their families during this challenging year. Leveling the Playing Field will continue this project while kids are in school virtually to allow them to properly participate in PE classes from home.
So how can you help?
Visit their website where you can learn more about donating equipment, volunteer, and more!
Volunteers have been helping to distribute the LFP Sports Kit to our community.
Related Articles for #GivingTuesday
