Go Play In Laguna Niguel: Fundraiser For Nonprofit Foundation

LAGUNA NIGUEL-DANA POINT, CA - From Go Play Foundation: We all should be aware of an increasing problem today with our youth. They spend entirely too much time plugged into their electronic devices. Although the answer seems simple, put down the devices, get up, and go play. Many parents work long hours and don’t have the money to make ends meet. They cannot afford to spend hard earned dollars on recreational programs when they face skyrocketing insurance premiums, housing costs, and increased inflation while salaries maintain relatively stagnant. They just don’t have the time to take their children out for supervised activities. It just isn’t like the old days when your parents would say, “Go play outside, just be back when the street lights come on.”

In a recent study, Recreation Restoration Foundation of Orange County, California determined that more kids than ever are staying indoors rather than getting outside to play. This non-profit organization, based out of Laguna Niguel, is doing something about it though. They aim to improve the lives of residents of local Southern California communities by restoring run down playgrounds. They also have the GOPLAY SPONSORSHIP program that funds fees for camps, supplies, and recreational programs for children that have financial challenges and need a little extra help to fulfill their basic need to get out and go play.

Only one in four children gets an average of an hour of physical activity or active play every day. This was a shocking statistic that inspired Chris Bowman, founder of the Recreation Restoration Foundation, to create this non-profit organization. Bowman says, "I grew up poor back East and saw that many parks and playgrounds were rundown and not being restored. I witnessed them turning into hangouts for delinquent kids. Coupled with the increasing trend with children to stay inside and play with digital devices and spend hours watching television, we want to curtail this before it becomes an epidemic here as well.” Our state government continues to cut funding to recreational programs. We feel this is just the beginning of sweeping cutbacks that we face moving into the future. We would like to avoid the urban decay that has and is occurring across this country.

The Recreation Restoration Foundation is hosting a free basketball tournament to bring awareness to the GOPLAY SPONSORSHIP program on September 30th at The El Lazo Basketball Courts in Laguna Niguel from 3-6pm. Prizes and auction items will include Lakers tickets, vacations, hotel stays, and recreational supplies. All spectators/participants that register will automatically be entered in a raffle to win a pair of Lakers tickets versus the Timberwolves that night. The day’s activities will include a 3 versus 3 basketball tournament and three point shooting contest for all ages. Also, a free throw shooting contest for the children, auction, and other fun activities for the family. You can register online and find out more about this organization @ www.goplay.foundation or call them @ 949-275-8060.

Image via Go Play Foundation