Flyers Charities has announced a new partnership with Leveling the Playing Field, a non-profit organization that helps repurpose old sports equipment and helps underprivileged children become involved in sports.
LPF was founded in 2013 in response to the growing inequity between those that can afford to play sports and those that cannot, and the prominent role the cost of sporting goods has played in that gap.
As part of the partnership, Flyers Charities donated $40,000 to LPF and presented the check at Wells Fargo Center during Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. That donation will help LPF collect equipment, distribute it to young hockey players, and construct ten co-branded sports equipment collection bins that will be placed all throughout the Philadelphia region.
Leveling the Playing Field aims to increase the sustainability of youth sports through maximizing the utility of sports equipment. The organization keeps tens of thousands of pounds of sports equipment out of landfills each year and helps to reduce the environmental impact of playing sports, and their goal is to recirculate equipment back into under-resourced communities.
“Flyers Charities is proud to partner with LPF to ensure that used hockey equipment that remains in good condition ends up in the hands of kids who need it, rather than in a landfill,” said Flyers Charities Executive Director Cindy Stutman. “Making the game of hockey accessible for all kids and improving our environment are key pillars for Flyers Charities, and this is a great opportunity to partner with a non-profit with the same goals.”
“On behalf of the entire Leveling the Playing Field team, we are so excited and honored to be partnering with the Philadelphia Flyers,” said Max Levitt, Founder and Executive Director of Leveling the Playing Field. “Partnering with the Flyers and utilizing their platforms within the Philadelphia community will help us reach an entirely new audience. This partnership will enable LPF to not only keep youth hockey equipment out of the landfill but also expand access to the sport.”
Locations of co-branded collection bins and more information on equipment drives for LPF will be announced at a later date. You can also learn more about Leveling the Playing Field on their website here.
