Project Play SportPort Kits coming to Manchester!

submitted by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation

Free play (kids playing without adult organization) is an old-fashioned idea that is making a comeback.

5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) has partnered with Ralph Wilson Foundation (RWF), Project Play, the  Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM), Chelsea and Manchester District Libraries, and Manchester Community Schools to bring Project Play SportPort Kits to the Chelsea and Manchester communities.

“SportPort Kits is a project to distribute packs of free sports equipment kids can use while at home or in a local park. We are fortunate to be one of only 16 places in Southeast Michigan receiving SportPort Kits,” said 5HF Community Investment Manager Matt Pegouskie. “All of the participating counties received 300 total kits per week. Washtenaw County’s allotment is being shared between Chelsea and Manchester and a partner location in Ypsilanti.”

150 kits in total are being made available per week for four weeks to the Chelsea and Manchester areas. The kits, funded by RWF and Quicken Loans, include:

1. Soccer ball, cones and sidewalk chalk, supported by Detroit City Football Club
2. Playground ball, free play cards, sidewalk chalk, supported by Playworks
3. Jump rope, stretch bands, sidewalk chalk supported by Downtown Boxing Gym
4. Basketballs, cones, sidewalk chalk supported by the Detroit Pistons

5 Healthy Towns Foundation is providing an extra week of bags with an Ultimate Frisbee kit. Hand sanitizer is included with each kit as well.

Free kits will be available for distribution once a week, starting Wednesday, July 22^nd. Three community partners will help 5HF distribute the kits. Chelsea’s distribution will occur at Chelsea District Library (100 kits in total), while Manchester’s distribution will occur at Manchester Summer Camp (30 kits in total) and Manchester District Library (20 kits).

The kits will be distributed until they run out and are first come first served. We ask that each family take only one kit. Parents will have to sign their name and indicate the ages of the youth in their household. There will also be a spot for parents to provide an email address so 5HF can follow up with the parents. We will be interested to learn how the kits are used by local kids.

• Chelsea District Library will distribute their kits on Wednesdays from 10 am – 2 pm or until the kits are gone. CDL staff and tables with kits will be located under the southwest portico (by the Library Lawn, facing main street.
• Manchester District Library will distribute their kits on Fridays from 11 am – 5 pm and Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm. Kits will be distributed via curbside pickup.
• Manchester Summer Camp kids will receive their kits at their camps.

An evaluation postcard is included with the kits. We encourage all adults whose household takes a kit to fill out the online survey. The more feedback we receive increases the likelihood of a second round of SportPort Kits. For more information, contact Matt Pegouskie at matt@5healthytowns.org.   

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.