Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/22/11
LEAPS Lax will be joined by 30+ ‘pro’ lacrosse players on Saturday in hosting the 2nd annual “Friends and Benefits” ‘pro’ lacrosse charity event at Plymouth Whitemarsh Victory Fields in Lafayette Hill.
LEAPS Lax will be holding a youth clinic that morning (check in at 12 pm; clinic from 1-3 p.m.) for youth players aged 8 and up. The clinic will be followed by a charity game at 4 p.m., played by the ‘pros,’ which will be free to the public thanks to generous sponsors.
LEAPS Lax is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2008, and run by professional lacrosse players John Christmas, Eric Gregg, and Billy McKinney, bringing lacrosse training, educational mentoring, and nutritional education to the youth throughout Philadelphia who do not otherwise have access to such resources.
In addition to benefiting the LEAPS programs, each player will be playing to benefit an additional cause or charity. Organizations such as the MS Society, HEADstrong Foundation, Yeardley Love Memorial Scholarship, and a variety of other worthy and special causes will be represented.
Since admission to the game is free, LEAPS is relying on individual, corporate and team sponsorships to benefit the programs and impact the additional network of incredible causes.
If you are interested in participating in the “Friends and Benefits” event, as a sponsor or volunteer, please contact the Director of PR and Events for LEAPS, Valerie Morini (610.724.9034/ valeriemorini@gmail.com).
There will be a women’s game taking place after the youth clinic. The women’s game will feature the Philly Public League All Stars. This is significant as LEAPS helped start the Philly Public League with the help of the Philadelphia Lacrosse Association and Black Women in Sports Foundation. This game will showcase some of the best female players from the city proper.
Also, with the recent School District of Philadelphia budget cuts, the athletic department was forced to cut middle school sports. As a proud partner of the School District of Philadelphia, LEAPS announces that all School District of Philadelphia students can attend the clinic for FREE.
“We are pleased and proud to be able to host such a broad-based effort to benefit so many worthy causes, all devoted to creating positive change in their communities,” said John Christmas, co-founder of LEAPS and Philadelphia Wings player. “It is such a privilege for us, as athletes and role models, to have this opportunity to come together, transcending sports, to express the importance of giving back.”
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