Home / Sports / Reds Fund Gifts $70K Gear to NKY/SEI Athletes
Reds Fund Gifts $70K Gear to NKY/SEI Athletes
16 Jan
Summary
- Nearly $70,000 in baseball and softball gear distributed.
- 10th consecutive year of partnership for equipment donations.
- Over $550,000 in equipment provided to 17,000+ athletes.
For the 10th consecutive year, the Reds Community Fund, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, and Pitch In For Baseball & Softball (PIFBS) have united to provide substantial support to young athletes. On Wednesday, they distributed close to $70,000 worth of baseball and softball equipment to 24 high schools and 14 youth organizations across Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana during an event at Griffin Elite in Erlanger, Kentucky. This decade-long initiative, bolstered by the R.C. Durr Foundation, has now equipped over 17,000 student-athletes with more than $550,000 in gear.
Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott was a special guest, sharing his personal experience of overcoming equipment limitations growing up. He highlighted how crucial equal access to gear is for fostering talent and competition, stating that such donations help level the playing field. St. Elizabeth Healthcare, celebrating its 165th anniversary, emphasized its commitment to community well-being through sports, noting the positive impact on activity levels, health, and self-confidence.
The donated equipment, ranging from balls and bats to helmets and catcher's gear, aims to remove financial barriers for participation. PIFBS, dedicated to this mission, has impacted millions of children globally since 2005. The program's CEO underscored that these gifts enable students to pursue sports without imposing a financial burden on their families, ensuring the joy of the game is accessible to all.
