By: Julia Zerull
Old cleats, instruments and a coat that won’t fit are too easily pushed to the back of the closet, left to collect dust and be forgotten. This may seem meaningless, however, one Edina organization is using your old, unwanted gear to make a difference in the community.
Edina Give and Go is partnering with Edina Public Schools to raise awareness and help those in need in our community. The organization will host a community-wide gear swap this month, raising funds to aid families living in the community who live at or below the poverty line.
Set to take place at the Edina Community Center, people are urged to bring in sports gear, winter clothes or musical instruments to either donate or swap, free of charge. No items to donate? Consider cash. Even $10 can make a difference.
Executive director, Maggie McCracken, hopes to bring people together. “This event is for the entire community. We know that activity expenses, including gear, add up and this is a way we hope families can share resources and encourage students to get involved,” she says.
Last year, Edina Give and Go was able to provide over $160,000 in athletic, art and academic funding to over 250 Edina Public School students in need. It hopes to increase its numbers even more, as over the past two years the students supported by the program has grown by over 65 percent.
Drop-offs will be held at the Community Center Saturday, September 7, from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and the swap will take place Sunday, September 8, from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. With a suggested donation of $10, all proceeds will go toward funding future Edina Give and Go participants.
Edina Community Center Large Gym
5701 Normandale Rd., Edina
Facebook: Edina Give and Go
Twitter: @edinagiveandgo
