Sports are huge in Indiana, and people of all ages participate. From football to basketball, golf to baseball, we Hoosiers love our sports.
But sometimes playing these sports can get expensive. Equipment costs can add up, especially if it's for a young person in high school or younger. And this often keeps kids from participating in the sports that they love.
That didn't sit well for one young man. Ayden Bennett of Valparaiso didn't like that high equipment costs were keeping kids from being active and doing things that they loved. He thought that everyone should have the opportunity to play, no matter the cost.
And that's why he created Gridiron Gear.
During one of his Pop Warner games in 2010, he commented that the other team had a lot of players without proper cleats. Ayden started collecting good new and used football equipment three years ago to make sure all athletes could participate without the issue of equipment costs making it too difficult. He simply collects anything relating to football - to make sure kids (and their parents) can enjoy the right equipment without a cost. Since then he has collected and given our hundreds of pairs of cleats, practice pants, practice jerseys, arm pads, chin straps, etc.
Ayden didn't want to setup any specific criteria for athletes to get the donation - he was concerned it might make players feel embarrassed and not ask. So it's really up to the family to only enjoy the free equipment should they need it. No questions are asked at all.
If you want find out more or make a donation, click here or call 219-246-6664.
The ValpoLife Office will be a droppoff location for donations. Please have dontations secured in a plastic bag and bring them in during our office hours (8am-5pm, Monday-Friday). We are located at 5 Napoleon Street in Valparaiso. If there are any questions, call the number listed above or our office at 219-707-5023.