NLL Colorado Mammoth

Record-Breaking Haul at 8th Annual GiveSPORTS Equipment Drive

Published on September 9, 2019 under National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Colorado Mammoth News Release


The Rav 4 parking lot at Pepsi Center was teeming with activity as community members donated sporting goods at the 8th annual giveSPORTS Equipment Drive this Saturday. The drive, hosted by Kroenke Sports Charities and which benefited A Precious Child, collects over 20,000 pieces of equipment annually and distributes them back to children and families who would otherwise not be able to afford the gear.

This year, milestones were reached. For the first time in the eight-year history of the drive, enough gear was donated to fill up an entire 53-foot semi truck and half of a 26-foot box truck. In addition, a separate truck was filled only with bicycles, which will be refurbished by Goodwill industries, and this year saw almost double the amount of collected bikes than in years past. Basketballs, soccer cleats and even punching bags were also included in this year's haul, ensuring that community youth will have elevated access to a wide variety of sporting opportunities. Brannan Sand & Gravel returned as a scholarship sponsor, matching cash donations up to $5,000.

With this much gear, it was helpful to have some strong hands unloading and sorting on site. Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog was joined by Denver Nuggets players Bol Bol, PJ Dozier, Tyler Cook and Vlatko Cancar. All athletes were active on the scene and spent the day carrying bins, emptying cars and sorting bicycles. They were joined by other celebrities including Avalanche and Nuggets alumni, the Denver Nuggets Dancers, the Avalanche Ice Patrol, Wooley Bunch, and mascots Rocky, Bernie, Edson and Wooley.

A Precious Child's giveSPORTS program was started by 12-year-old Dustin Martin in 2011. Knowing the powerful impact sports had on his own life, Martin sought to ensure all children, regardless of circumstance, had the opportunity to play sports.

The program's first drive was held in memory of Jessica (Redfield) Ghawi, an aspiring sports journalist and intern for Altitude Sports & Entertainment. She wanted to support children who were victims of Colorado's 2012 wildfires and replace any hockey equipment that they had lost. Jessica was never able to take part in the inaugural drive as she lost her life in the Aurora Theater tragedy.

Together, Kroenke Sports Charities and A Precious Child have combined efforts to fulfill both Jessica and Dustin's dreams with eight community-wide equipment drives to help put a kid in the game. Since its inception, the giveSPORTS Equipment Drive has collected over 197,000 pieces of sports equipment and more than $80,000 in sports scholarships to benefit more than 25,000-plus local kids in need and counting.

A Precious Child will continue to accept items. More information can be found at APreciousChild.org.

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