GROW Central Florida dribbles toward 5th annual sports ball drive for law enforcement

Nonprofit works to inspire positive times among cops, kids

Basketballs (file photo) (Pixabay)

OVIEDO, Fla. – A local nonprofit seeking to foster fun times among kids and cops will distribute thousands of donated sports balls this week to 29 law enforcement agencies throughout Central Florida.

G.R.O.W. Central Florida’s fifth annual Summer Community Ball Drive starts at 3:15 p.m. Thursday in the Oviedo Mall parking lot, where more than 3,500 sports balls collected since April 24 will be given at 4 p.m. to authorities visiting from Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Marion, Volusia and Brevard counties.

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The organization was founded in 2015 with a stated goal of supporting community wellness initiatives, according to its website. This particular initiative involves supplying and equipping law enforcement officers with sports balls in order to provide opportunities for cops and kids to have more positive interactions through play.

“For years, GROW has provided the members of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office sports equipment to carry in their vehicles,” Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said in a statement. “These are all pivotal tools that help us connect with the youth in our community and encourage them to get out and be active. We are so grateful for this continued partnership and for helping us build meaningful relationships with the children and teenagers in our community.”

Learn more at GROW Central Florida’s website, and register to be a volunteer for Thursday’s event by clicking here.


About the Author:

Brandon, a UCF grad, joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021. Before joining News 6, Brandon worked at WDBO.

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