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Henrico Sports Authority Gives Kids Holiday Sports Cheer

Dec 8, 2024 at 8:54 PM

The holidays bring a sense of joy and giving, and Central Virginia is no exception. Local organizations are working hard to make the season special for those in need. In Henrico, a unique initiative is taking place to ensure that children have a memorable Christmas. For the second year running, the Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority is playing a crucial role in making some children's Christmas mornings extra extraordinary. The Salvation Army's call for donations has led to an annual tradition of providing gifts for children across the Greater Richmond area. However, often, gifts for boys and girls aged 10-16 are overlooked. This is where Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority steps in, using the power of sports to fill the gap.

Sports as a Bridge to Christmas Joy

Sports Equipment for a Special Christmas

The donated items include a wide range of sports equipment such as footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, and tennis brackets. These items are carefully selected to be age-appropriate for the 10-16-year-old age range. By providing these sports tools, Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority aims to encourage young people to try out different sports. You never know where this could lead – it might spark a lifelong passion for a particular sport or even open up new opportunities. As Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority executive director Dennis Bickmeier said, "So, then that’s why you see some very age-appropriate type of sports equipment for that age range. We want young people to try sports out. You never know where that’s going to go."

Thanks to the generous donations from the community, the organization is turning children's wishes into a reality. They believe in the power of dreams and the importance of a healthy community. Sports, with its teachings of sportsmanship and teamwork, plays a vital role in shaping young lives. By putting a ball in a kid's hand or a bat in a kid's hand to try baseball or any other sport, they are giving children the chance to explore and pursue their dreams. As Bickmeier further explained, "We want young people to dream big. We want to be able to have a healthy community. Sports provides that, it teaches kids sportsmanship and teamwork and all those things. So, if you can put a ball in a kid’s hand or a bat in a kid’s hand to try baseball, whatever sport that might be, who knows where those dreams could go."

Packing and Delivering for Angel Tree Wishes

All the carefully selected sports equipment will be packed up and taken to the Salvation Army to fulfill the angel tree wishes. This collaborative effort between Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority and the Salvation Army ensures that children across the Greater Richmond area will have a wonderful Christmas. It is a testament to the power of community and the spirit of giving during the holiday season. Through this initiative, not only are children's Christmas wishes being fulfilled, but also a sense of hope and joy is being spread.