As the spring sports season approaches, many young athletes in the Alder community find themselves without the proper equipment they need to play their best. Senior Cal Duckworth and his mom, Susie, have decided to put together a way for those in need to get the equipment they need, and also a way for other families to unload all of the old equipment gathering dust in their garages and storage areas in order to put it to good use.

    With the help of Daily Needs Assistance, or DNA, in Plain City, The Duckworths have added a sporting goods section to the “Kid’s Closet” where families can go in order to find necessary sporting equipment ranging anywhere from cleats to helmets.

    Susie explained how she, like many other parents, had sporting goods lying around that her kids had outgrown and wanted to think of a way to donate these items. Looking around, however, she found that most places required those interested in the equipment to pay for it. Not satisfied with this, the Duckworths decided to create their own drive so that those in need right here in Plain City could get the equipment free of charge.

    “I want families and kids in the community to take advantage of recreational sports. We don’t want money to stop parents from signing their kids up and getting them involved,” she mentioned. She also discusses the convenience of donating to DNA and how easy it is for people to find what they need.

    The Duckworths encourage everyone in the Alder community to give their old sporting goods a second life by donating clean, usable, safe equipment for any sport that they no longer use to DNA at any time so that others less fortunate can play without worrying about the high cost of equipment and enjoy the game. DNA is located in the old elementary school at 340 West Main Street in Plain City.