Did you know…

Research has shown that sports reduce anxiety and depression and enhance self-esteem. Sports help kids gain skills that are important to their success in school and life: critical thinking, problem solving, self-discipline, leadership, and coping skills. Sports also help kids build trust and respect for others. A lot of kids don’t have access to basic sports equipment so they are missing out on these important benefits!

Here’s your project!

Organize a used sports equipment drive and donate the sporting goods to a local shelter or after-school program that needs them.

Supply List:

Flyers

Posters

Boxes

Here’s How!

1. Talk to a teacher, caregiver, counselor, or coach. Ask if they’ll help you find a local shelter or after-school program that is in need of sports equipment.

2. Once you’ve found a place to donate the items to, decided on where people will drop off the used items. You may ask local businesses or your school to be collection points.

3. Make posters and flyers explaining what you are doing, what items you are collecting, the dates of the drive, and where to drop off the items.

4. Drop off collection boxes at your collection points.

5. Display posters and flyers around town. You might also ask the local or school newspaper to run an ad for your collection.

6. After the drive is over, gather the items from your collection points.

7. Sort through the items. Make sure nothing is dirty, broken, or unsafe for kids to use. Organize the items by size and what sports they are for.

8. Count up the items.

9. Drop them off at the shelter or after-school program that agreed to take the items.

10. Thank and congratulate everyone who helped you. Make sure to let them know how many items you collected!

Optional Extra Steps:

Ask the shelter or after-school program if you can bring friends and play a game with the kids who will be receiving the used items.

Reflection Questions:

1. What worked well about this project?

2. What did not work well?

3. How did the shelter or after-school program respond to your donation?

4. What kind of impact do you think you made on kids’ lives?