“Leveling the playing field” gets new drop-off location

MARIETTA, Ohio (WTAP) - A new way to donate sports equipment has arrived in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

According to Britani Merritt, the Vice President of Donor and Program Services at the Marietta Community Foundation, a donation box from Leveling the Playing Field has been set up on the Devola Soccer Fields.

Merritt says people can come and donate sporting equipment they don’t use anymore, like baseballs, bats, and cleats. The ask that people do not put clothing in the donation box.

Merritt says the box was brought here through a partnership between Leveling the Playing Field and the Team Bradley Fund.

Tammi Bradley, founder of the Team Bradley Fund, says the fund was created in August of 2022, in memory of her husband, Mark Bradley, who passed away due to cancer.

Bradley says mark was someone who loved sports and kids. She says the Team Bradley Fund is how her and her family can give back to the community.

She says the partnership idea between the Team Bradley Fund and Leveling the Playing Field came in the summer of 2024.

Bradley says they chose the Devola Soccer Fields because it’s a very well used facility, and they wanted somewhere easily accessible, especially during this time of year when the area most commonly floods.

Merritt says all of the equipment will be collected by Leveling the Playing Field. The box itself will be monitored by the Team Bradley Fund.

Bradley says she has a 4th grade student of hers from the school she teaches at who lives close by and can update her on how full the box is. They will then notify LPF who will come and pick up the equipment from the box. In order to get some of the equipment you can apply with LPF and, once approved, make the trip up to Columbus to pick up the equipment you need.

Merritt adds that she and the Marietta Community Foundation are excited that something like this donation box for sporting equipment is able to be here in Washington County.

Leveling the Playing Field was started in 2013, with a mission to expand access in youth sports and recreation programs in under-resourced communities. According to their website, they have delivered more than $14 million dollars worth of equipment.

For more information on Leveling the Playing Field and how to help, you can go to their website here: Leveling the Playing Field.

See an error in our reporting? Send us an email by clicking here!