Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has donated $25,000 as part of his partnership with the LA84 Foundation that the Play Equity Fund to provide access to play equipment in the local community.
Although major professional leagues have the resources to keep sports going during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the same cannot be said for youth sports that have since been canceled until further notice. As a result, McVay is making efforts to ensure that kids in Los Angeles have the means to try and stay active every day despite the restrictions placed with having to stay in quarantine.
McVay spoke on his excitement to partner with the LA84 Foundation and donation to the $25,000, via the team’s official website:
“I am proud to partner with the LA84 Foundation and the Play Equity Fund, which was founded on the belief that play is a human right for children,” said McVay. “Sadly, nearly one million children in Los Angeles live in poverty and because of that, many kids don’t have access to sports and structured play. Through this donation, I’m happy to provide the gift of sports and enable kids to get healthy and active while having fun.”
President & CEO of the Play Equity Fund Renata Simril offered up a statement thanking McVay on the foundation’s behalf:
“The Play Equity Fund is grateful for the continued collaboration of Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay,” said Simril. “Through our partnerships we are supporting as many kids as possible by putting equipment directly in their hands so they can play safely. Not all kids have access to equipment or outlets for activity, and Coach McVay’s generosity is providing new opportunities for kids to stay active and healthy despite the pandemic.”
The Rams have never passed up on an opportunity to provide assistance during times of need and it is clear that the pandemic is no different. Players and staff going the extra mile is part of what has helped this team become so engrained in the community since the relocation.
Aside from McVay, players such as defensive linemen Aaron Donald and Sebastian Joseph-Day have also helped pitch in by providing at-home workout videos for youth that are available on the foundation’s website.
The Play Equity Fund and LA84 Foundation have already set up 28 play equipment distribution centers since the COVID-19 shutdown. This is part of their mission statement to ensure that all children have access to participate in sports despite their race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
