The following is an excerpt from the Wicked Local.
Saugus Softball Little League now boasts 482 new pieces of equipment and apparel for its players courtesy of a partnership between the Yawkey Foundation and Good Sports.
On Oct. 12, representatives of the Yawkey Foundation and Good Sports presented Saugus Softball Little League with catcher’s mitts, helmets, bats, balls, shirts and assorted equipment totaling more than $11,000 in value.
The Yawkey Foundation and Good Sports collaborate to provide increased athletic opportunities for children.
Saugus Softball Little League was selected as a recipient for funding because of the program’s impact on the community and the organization’s commitment to making sports affordable and inclusive to children in town despite a limited budget, according to Good Sports Corporate Partnerships Associate Mia Blatt.
Marissa DeMonte, the president of Saugus Softball Little League, said the infusion of equipment is much-needed for the approximately 130 girls who participate in the league.
“This is amazing, we’re looking forward to having this equipment to benefit all our players,” DeMonte said.
DeMonte thanked the Yawkey Foundation and Good Sports for their generosity, noting that Good Sports also donated gifts that were distributed to players this past season.
Good Sports strives to give kids the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity by providing equipment, apparel and footwear to those most in need.
Since 2003, Good Sports has provided nearly $74 million in sports equipment, impacting over 8 million kids from more than 5,500 youth programs across the country.
Established to perpetuate the philanthropic legacy of Tom Yawkey and Jean Yawkey, the Yawkey Foundation has awarded more than $520 million in charitable grants to organizations focused on youth and amateur athletics, health care, education, human services, arts and culture and conservation.
Yawkey Foundation CEO Maureen Bleday said expensive sports equipment shouldn’t present a barrier to girls playing softball, emphasizing she was glad the Foundation could assist Saugus Softball Little League.
Many players and coaches from Saugus Softball Little League were on hand to receive the new equipment.
“I’m so excited by all of this,” a beaming Hannah Strout exclaimed.
Ellie Miranda, a catcher with Saugus Softball Little League, said she was particularly pumped to see so much catcher’s equipment was donated.
“I catch, and some of our equipment is old and it breaks,” Miranda said, adding that softball is her favorite sport.
Player Aubrey DeMonte said Saugus Softball Little League could really use the field masks that the Yawkey Foundation and Good Sports contributed.
Saugus Softball Little League is conducting field clinics this fall and the new equipment will be rolled out for the spring season.