Fundraising Campaign Started to Build Sports Field at Local Preschool

Photo: goodcircle.org

Three-year-old could soon be playing tennis, soccer, basketball and more at Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center in East Hampton, thanks to a fundraising collaboration with Hampton Racquet and goodcircle.org, an online crowdfunding platform, to build a junior sports field at the preschool.

In what is thought to be the first preschool in the area to offer tennis during school hours, supporters of the $17,140 project believe it will give children opportunities in a sport they might never have had access to, according to a press release from goodcircle.org co-founder Fred Doss.

In efforts to promote a lifetime love of exercise while also building healthy bodies and minds, project supporters believe given the right tools, the Center could well be nurturing a future U.S. Open Tennis winner, according to the release.

“The chances of that happening are greater because of us giving these kids this opportunity,” John Graham, Owner of Hampton Racquet in East Hampton said. “If kids are given the platform and the nurturing to learn in a fun, creative atmosphere, they do.”

Joining together with goodcircle.org, Hampton Racquet has generously agreed to match each donation dollar for dollar to ensure the project is completed.

Located in the front yard of the Center bordering John Marshall Elementary School, plans for the space include a tennis and basketball court alongside a junior soccer field.

Although the Center has access to a playground, Physical Education is mainly taught inside the building.

Once funding is secured, the work on the project can begin soon, and the sports field would be open for use by spring.

Organizers also hope the space can be used by the wider community at weekends including special events and birthday parties, according to the release.

“For kids to learn tennis in a safe, structured environment at such an early age is one of the real advantages of this. There is no place I know of out here that teaches tennis to kids during school hours,” Jennifer Wilson, Board Member and Head of Building and Grounds Committee at the Center said. “This is such an important opportunity.”

Acccording to Wilson, the Center population may not have access to tennis and other sports anywhere else, and the sports field would enable them to learn a team sport early, plus everything else including motor coordination skills.

“They are also learning how exercise is an important part of their day while teaming with their peers,” Wilson said.

So far, according to the campaign page on goodcircle.org, $4,550 has been raised through the website for the field since December. The deadline for the campaign is March 14.

According to the page, the money will go towards:

• Fencing-in the space
• Flags for the fence to make the outside of The Center more child friendly and inviting.
• 2 tennis nets; 20 racquets; tennis balls
• 2 basketball hoops and padded poles; 16 junior basketballs
• 4 pop up soccer goals; 16 junior soccer balls
• Small locker to store the equipment
• Pop-up tent for shade
• Benches; water jugs; red pinnies; mesh bags for balls
• Cones; spots; teaching aids including whistles
• Painting the sport surface

To make a donation, visit: http://goodcircle.org/projects/eleanor-whitmore-early-childhood-center/.