Two organizations in Perry are teaming up to collect sports gear for children in need who want to play in youth athletic leagues.
Perry Area Joint Recreation District and the Thriving Threads clothing room are co-sponsoring a sports equipment drive that began Feb. 4.
The two entities are asking parents and guardians to contribute sports gear that their children are no longer using. These items then will be grouped together, put on display, and offered free of charge to youngsters who need different kinds of equipment to participate in Perry rec district sports programs.
In previous years, Thriving Threads has typically stocked sports apparel such as baseball and football pants and cleats as part of its overall inventory.
Located at 4261 Manchester Road in the Manchester West building, Thriving Threads is a nonprofit organization that provides free, gently used clothing for men, women and children of all ages and sizes.
Jennifer Grega, a member of the Perry Area Joint Recreation District Board, spearheaded plans to create a sports equipment drive as a coordinated effort involving the rec district and Thriving Threads.
“I want to make sure kiddos don’t have to skip sports because they cannot afford gear,” she stated in a Facebook post.
Grega, a Perry Township resident, began serving Jan. 1 as a member of the rec district board. Shortly after her term began, Grega reached out to Samantha Ferrell, lead manager of Thriving Threads, and shared her idea about the sports equipment drive.
“She and I are always like-minded on serving those in the community and beyond who just need compassionate help and goods,” Grega said.
Ferrell said she’s been trying for years to collaborate with the rec district on a sports equipment drive.
“With Jennifer being on the rec board, it really helped the whole thing to take shape quickly, and everything came together to benefit everyone,” she said.
Grega said she also has enlisted the help of Perry rec district Executive Director Mike Smith to ensure the success of the sports equipment drive. In addition, the rec district will promote the availability of free gear to young athletes who need it.
Grega hopes that the community comes through with donations “to meet the needs of every season of pads, cleats, balls, helmets, practice gear, you name it!”
Donations of sports equipment and apparel for children can be dropped off anytime in the big brown, wooden box located outside of Thriving Threads, Ferrell said.
For people who want to drop off items in person, or bring in their children to view athletic gear as their seasons come near, Thriving Threads’ hours are 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and 1 to 4 p.m. on Fridays.
“If those hours aren’t convenient, they can always contact us at thrivingthreadsinperry@gmail.com to schedule a private appointment,” she said.
Ferrell said she also will be coordinating efforts with the rec district to see when extra hours could be scheduled at Thriving Threads to coincide with sports league sign-ups or games, so sports gear “will be made more available to the athletes.”
