Our Great City

The concept that a youngster will not be able to compete in the sport he or she loves because they can’t afford to buy the necessary equipment is difficult for some children to imagine. Yet that is the reality for some local children whose families are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads. A group of sophomore athletes at CHS are determined to help them participate in the sport of their dreams.

Play It Forward, in association with the Pro Players Foundation, is a non-profit, community-service organization dedicated to collecting gently-used sporting equipment and apparel, refurbishing it to be donated to children in need. Once the equipment is cleaned, it will be donated to needy youngsters identified by a wide group of coaches, school administrators and directors of various athletic organizations in a number of different sports.

This concept was introduced to Mack Morgan, a CHS Sophomore, to bring Play It Forward to the Southlake community and district. “What a great idea,” Morgan stated. Morgan, along with Kenny Hill and Preston LeJeune, also CHS Sophomores athletes, are excited to get this program off the ground.

Play It Forward Southlake will be set up at Dragon Stadium starting at 5pm on October 1, 2010, to collect any and all donations. If you are coming to the game think about those less fortunate than you and bring any and all old athletic equipment so we can provide an athlete less fortunate than us the opportunity to play the game! The communities of Southlake and Keller have been rivals for so many years and now these boys in both communities will come together as one to support those less fortunate than them! What a story! “Rivals As One” -Athletes Helping Athletes!

So often we, as parents, struggle to educate our children on how to “make a difference” and to help them understand what it means to “help make our community a better place,” since they truly have no idea how less fortunate youngsters live. It is so difficult for them to comprehend that some kids don’t get to play a sport because they can’t afford a glove or bat or pair of cleats. Play It Forward’s dual mission is to provide those kids with the equipment necessary to compete in the sport they love, while giving everyone an opportunity to donate an item that can make a difference in a youngster’s life.

Anyone interested in donating equipment or for any additional information can log on to our website at www.playitforwardsouthlake.org or email us at pifsouthlake@gmail.com.