For the last three years, the Department of Parks & Recreation has hosted “Sports Swaps” in conjunction with many of its League Kickoff Days (soccer, basketball, etc.). In an effort to repurpose gently used sports equipment the department has wanted to make it more readily available to the local community. Starting officially in January 2015, the department is proud to announce it relationship with local non-profit, The Perfect Game, to help provide this service to the community.
The Perfect Game, a non-profit started by two local young men, Stephen Kapostas and Kevin Eckenrode, is an organization that provides youth with sports equipment that they may not have access to or cannot afford. Having previously worked in conjunction with local organizations like MooreKids, and larger organizations like the HAMELS Foundation, The Perfect Game Foundation has developed relationships locally, with neighborhoods in Philadelphia and has sent donations as far as Africa. Now, The Perfect Game wants to provide local youth with an even greater opportunity to participate in what otherwise might be cost prohibitive sports.
The Perfect Game is eager to team with the Moorestown Department of Parks & Recreation in 2015 to establish a system by which local families can take advantage of a new service. The service is geared toward matching donations with families in need of equipment. To receive items from The Perfect Game, families can email theperfectgamefoundation@gmail.com with their specific request. From sports specific footwear to equipment and protective gear, The Perfect Game will do its best to match requests with items in their inventory. These items, once identified will be made available for pick up at the Church Street Recreation Center.
Additionally, for those individuals and families interested in donating to The Perfect Game, there is currently a donation box located in the Church Street Recreation Center lobby. The Perfect Game collects these items, assesses them and adds them to their current inventory to make them available. Additionally, The Perfect Game Foundation will be coordinating with the Department of Parks & Recreation to host additional Sports Swap Days in conjunction with high attendance activities.
The Perfect Game consistently receives requests for many of the following items: sports footwear (baseball cleats, soccer cleats, high-tops), field hockey and lacrosse sticks, basketballs, soccer balls, baseball mitts and protective gear.
Please consider donating gently used items this winter! For more information please contact The Perfect Game Foundation at theperfectgamefoundation@gmail.com or visit their website at www.theperfectgamefoundation.org. The Department of Parks & Recreation is proud of this newest collaborative relationship to help serve local families and youth.
— — — — — — — — — —
Parks & Rec Happenings:
- Season of Giving 3 V. 3 Tournament is Saturday, Dec. 6. Sign up now!
- Open Gym for grades five through 12 is Monday through Thursday 2:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 2:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. Open Gym for grades nine through 12 Wednesdays and Saturdays 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Special Needs Programs: Special Needs Open Gym is Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon. There is will be a Special Needs Holiday Party and Family Support Outing and Providers Fair in December and January.
- Youth Basketball and Youth Volleyball league and clinics are available. Register now!
- Balanced Athletics, Girls B Fit, Core Training and more!
- Group Piano Lessons are in the Church Street Recreation Center Music Studio.
- Arts Programming available Arts & Crafts and Winter Arts Adventures.
- Yoga for teens and adults are Thursday evenings 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
- Girls B Fit for ages 6–11 locations are at Baker School, Roberts School, South Valley School and Upper Elementary School
- Dance classes available are Intro to Jazz, Creative Ballet, Pre-School Ballet and more!
- EXIT 4 Boot Camp is Monday through Thursdays and Saturdays: pick your day and pick your time!
- Live Civilly Homework Help Tuesdays and Thursdays are 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Interested in volunteering? Contact Kahra Buss at contact@livecivilly.org
- A daily bus drives from Wlliam Allen Middle School to Church Street Recreation Center at a 2:35 p.m. departure daily!
Missed a registration date? Like us on Facebook at Moorestown Parks & Recreation for up-to-date information about programs and events. Want to register for an upcoming program? Register at www.moorestownrec.com.
New & Noteworthy!
Special Needs Programming is in high gear this winter. The Special Needs Holiday Party is scheduled for the evening of Sunday, Dec. 14 complete with a visit from Santa and fun games and crafts for youth and families. The Special Needs Field Day is an opportunity to get out of the house on a winter day and have your child participate in a variety of fun activities. Participate in one activity, two, three or more! These activities will be geared towards all and will include things such as basketball, beanbag toss, bowling and more! Water, snacks and gifts provided by MooreKids.
Does your company or organization provide services or products that would benefit individuals with disabilities and their families? If so, then you might want to purchase a space at the Special Needs Providers’ Fair sponsored by Moorestown Department of Parks and Recreation. For information about any of these activities please contact Darlene Altschuler at salt27@comcast.net.
