Donate sports equipment to Gear for Goals
In honor of back-to-school time, Wintrust Community Banks are teaming together with Northbrook-based youth charity Gear for Goals to host a sports equipment collection drive to benefit kids in need.
Through Monday, Aug. 31, community residents and kids are encouraged to donate new or gently used baseballs, bats, gloves, soccer balls and even musical instruments at participating Wintrust Community Bank locations.
Each year, Gear for Goals (G4G) collects sports gear to benefit under resourced children, both locally in the Chicago area as well as globally, in more than 29 countries, including the Dominican Republic, Kenya and Russia.
"Our goal is to collect 1,500 pounds of gear during the drive," said Dr. Warren Bruhl, executive director of Gear for Goals. "This would help about 30,000 kids have access to sports."
Participating locations include Buffalo Grove Bank & Trust in Buffalo Grove; Deerfield Bank & Trust in Deerfield; Glenview Bank & Trust in Glenview; Northbrook Bank & Trust in Northbrook; Northview Bank & Trust in Northfield; and North Shore Community Bank & Trust in Glencoe, Wilmette and Winnetka. Drop off hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
For location information, visit www.northbrookbank.com or www.nscbank.com.
During the effort, Wintrust Banks will give each junior saver $5 in treat dollars toward goodies in their community for donated equipment. (Limit: one per household).
"Dream weaver International is thrilled to have our Gear for Goals' project work hand-in-hand with Wintrust Banks to bring sports to kids in need," Bruhl said.
"We have some huge needs with upcoming trips planned to the Dominican, Haiti and Kenya, and many of the donated items will find their way into the hands of thousands of under resourced children.
"We're seeing amazing growth and joy coming from the efforts of Gear for Goals," Bruhl added. "To date, G4G has helped over 130,000 children globally, including plans to expand our sponsored Little League in Kenya to grow into other regions."
For more information or ways you can help, visit www.dreamweaver911.org or www.G4GSports.org
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