Pens feel the drive to inspire
By Jon Moffett
Athletic leagues hope for grand slam with equipment collection.
YOUNGSTOWN — The sun might have had a tough time showing up on Tuesday, but donators were out in full force.
The Youngstown State University softball team collected gently used sports equipment during a doubleheader with the University of Akron. The drive was part of the Hit a Home Run Through Recycling campaign, an initiative to distribute the equipment to area athletic programs.
“It feels really great,” said Tasha Hess, 22, a junior pitcher for the Penguins. “It’s really good to inspire kids to get out here and get active and start playing any sport.”
The Keizer, Ore., native added that she hopes the equipment will benefit the next generation of athletes, especially young girls.
”We want to inspire girls who want to grow up and kind of be like us,” she said.
The equipment will benefit the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club and Youngstown Police Athletic League, which is combining with the Juvenile Justice Center this season. Last year the event collected about 1,900 pieces of equipment. Gary Williams, director of softball operations at YSU, said this year’s goal is similar.
“Last year, I think there was a lot because people were cleaning out what they’ve had accumulated for a long time,” he said. “This year, I think it’ll be a lot of better quality stuff that they’re giving because maybe it’ll just be stuff from last year’s season.”
Williams said the goal is to collect as much as possible, but any amount will be beneficial.
“If we can give one kid a glove or a bat, we’ve accomplished our goal,” he said. “If we can give 300 or 400 hundred kids a glove or a bat, it’s really something for us.”
Tom Rendle of Toledo took advantage of the opportunity to donate some of his older gear. His daughter, Kristina, is a sophomore on the Penguins’ squad.
“I heard about it and thought it was a good cause,” he said. “I had some extra stuff laying around so I made a few calls for people to donate.”
Amanda Palmore, 18, is a catcher for the Penguins. She said it is the responsibility of the team to pave the way for the next group of players.
“We’ve played since we were younger and girls look up to us,” she said. “It’s the right thing to do.”
Not only does the drive help out kids, but also the environment. Sarah Ellis manages the university organization re:CREATE, which she described as, “an environmental reuse program” whose goal is to “keep usable but unwanted things out of landfills.”
“We connect people with stuff they don’t want with people who can use it,” she said.
She added that the university’s recycling rate is more than 50 percent.
People who wish to donate still have the chance. YSU will hold a second event April 29 at McCune Park. The Penguins will play host to the University of Pittsburgh in a doubleheader. Other drop off locations include the downtown and Boardman YMCAs (until April 24), Creekside Fitness & Health Center (until April 24), Lake Milton State Park Office (until May 22) and the Youngstown Police Department (ongoing).
jmoffett@vindy.com