Elyse Richardson had just gone through an exhausting workout at the 9Round fitness center, but she still took time to talk about kids.
Specifically, she talked about how she wanted to help kids at the Long Beach and L.A. Harbor Boys & Girls Clubs.
“I am going to donate balls so these kids can enjoy playing sports,” said Richardson, an office manager, on the kickoff (pun intended) of the annual Let’s Play Ball Drive sponsored by the Press-Telegram and Daily Breeze, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of both Long Beach and L.A. Harbor.
Ginette Skelton drops off toys at Boathouse on the Bay during the annual sports-ball drive in Long Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Former NFL player Willie McGinest, leaders of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach and the LA Harbor, as well as Tom Bray and Rich Archbold of the Southern California News Group pose for a photograph during a celebration for the annual Let’s Play Ball campaign at the John C. Wallace Petrolane Club in Long Beach on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Jennifer Martin helps Phary Ouk choose a toy during a giveaway at the John C. Wallace Petrolane Club in Long Beach on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Balls gathered for the annual ball drive. (File photo)
The P-T and Daily Breeze are asking readers to donate new sports balls and money for the sports, fitness and recreation programs of the two organizations. The goal is to provide at least 5,000 balls combined, or 2,500 to each organization. The deadline to donate is Dec. 15.
“This is one of my favorite adventures that we go on each year,” said Tom Bray, senior editor for the Los Angeles County editions of the Southern California News Group. “The sports-ball drive gives our readers a chance to demonstrate their generosity and get sports equipment into the hands of kids who need it. And, boy, do they ever come through.”
“Our community always shows up for kids, and I’m grateful to see the ball drive begin again this year,” said Don Rodriguez, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach. “Thanksgiving reminds me how lucky we are to have a community that cares about our kids. Every ball, every donation and every bit of support helps our members play, feel safe and stay active. The ball drive is crucial to the success of our programs. It means more than people know.”
Peter Settelmayer, CEO of the L.A. Harbor Boys & Girls Clubs, said: “As we kick off our holiday ball drive, donors are helping give kids a chance to play more and feel connected. For many of our members, a simple ball means they get to join a game, build confidence and feel part of something bigger.”
Settelmayer said donors were investing in safe places and daily moments of joy for young people who need it. “A few dollars go a long way,” he said. “Thank you for making this season brighter for thousands of youth.”
The L.A. Harbor serves kids in San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, Lomita, Harbor Gateway and Gardena.
The clubs need a variety of balls and equipment, including basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, dodgeballs, volleyballs, softballs, tether balls, jump ropes, Frisbees, ball pumps–and, well, you get the idea.
Both Rodriguez and Settelmayer said that, with so many club sites and kids, keeping a storage of good balls available all the time is very difficult. That’s why the ball drive is so important, they said.
You can drop off balls at various locations in the Long Beach and South Bay areas, including select Big 5 Sporting Goods stores and elsewhere. (See below for the full list).
Jacob McMillan, Big 5 marketing manager, said Big 5 is proud to support the ball drive for the seventh consecutive year. “Since 2019, thousands of sports balls have been donated, thanks to the generosity of our customers and community members. We believe every child deserves the chance to play sports, and this drive helps make that possible.”
McMillan said Big 5 offers a discount of 25% for any in-store regular priced sports ball that is donated. (The offer excludes golf and tennis balls, he said.)
This year will be the first year that 9Round, the fitness and kickbox center at 6502 E. Spring St., Long Beach, will be a drop-off location. Balls can be dropped off there daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Ashley Richardson, who runs the 9Round fitness center, said, “We like being involved in the community and especially in helping kids.” Richardson played on the Long Beach State water polo team from 1999-2003 and was captain in 2003.
We thank you in advance for helping kids through your donations and for making a difference in their lives this holiday season.
Let’s Play Ball
The Let’s Play Ball campaign benefits both the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor. Here’s where you can donate.
Long Beach area:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach’s main office, 3635 Long Beach Blvd., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. (Closed for Nov. 27-Thanksgiving-and Nov.28).
Big 5 Sporting Goods: 4780 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, and 5247 Lakewood Blvd., Lakewood, during store hours. Big 5 will provide 25% off any regularly priced sports balls, except golf balls and tennis balls, that customers buy to donate to the Play Ball campaign.
Phil Trani’s Restaurant, 3490 Long Beach Blvd.
Boathouse on the Bay Restaurant, 190 Marine Dr., Long Beach.
First Bank locations: 4040 Atlantic Ave., Bixby Knolls; 5195 Lakewood Blvd., Lakewood; 6200 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach.
9Round Kickbox & Fitness Center, 6502 E. Spring St.
Watch Me! Sports Bar, 6527 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach.
You can also donate money or purchase balls or other items off the Long Beach clubs’ Amazon wish list. To do so, click on bgclub.org/Joy. For more information, email Kari Cho, vice president of marketing and development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, at karic@bgclublb.org, or call .
South Bay:
Boys & Girls Clubs of L.A. Harbor locations: 1200 S. Cabrillo Ave., San Pedro (send Amazon orders to this address); 100 W. 5th St., Port of LA; 1444 W. Q St., Wilmington; 1220 W. 256th St., Harbor City, and 802 W. Gardena Blvd., Harbor Gateway.
Big 5 Sporting Goods: 2745 Pacific Coast Hwy., Torrance; 17542 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, and 2515 E. El Segundo Blvd., El Segundo. Big 5 will provide 25% off any regularly priced sports ball, except golf balls and tennis balls, that customers buy to donate to the Play Ball campaign.
First Bank locations: 21503 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, and 1644 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena.
One final note: We’re always looking for more drop-off locations, whether a sports bar, a restaurant or even a retail store. To become a drop-off location, email me at rarchbold@scng.com and Coastal Cities Editor Chris Haire at chaire@scng.com.