A few weeks ago I took on the challenge of helping kids get out to play!  As an excited and eager participant in the Champions for Kids Simple Service project with Odwalla this month, I got to work planning a sports equipment drive in my neighborhood!  I live in an amazing neighborhood and I knew that these incredibly generous people would want to help – as well as get some unused things out of their garages!  Check out my original shopping trip!

While getting this going, I asked my online pals to vote for the organization that they thought I should give the donations to!  And the winner is…..

Boys and Girls Country in Tomball, TX!

Now, truth be told, I was sort of holding out for this charity.  I have a personal love for Boys and Girls Country.  I know someone who lived in a home like this who is very dear and know that, without them, his life would have been much harder than it already was.  So, though all of the charities on my list were VERY deserving, I know that Boys and Girls Country is elated to receive these items!

While you guys were voting and sharing my desire to help this month – thank you – I put out an email to my neighborhood and was immediately offered items for donation.  I was truly touched by the generosity my neighborhood showed in this drive.  And even thought I was “officially” only holding it for 2 hours on a Sunday, I started collecting items immediately and had a trunk load to donate!

The largest item that I was so super excited about was from a very nice neighbor who wishes to remain anonymous.  He donated a Bowflex machine that is valued at over $1,100.  Just like that.  No questions asked!  We picked it up last Friday and took it to Boys and Girls Country on Saturday morning!  They were so happy to have it and I hope it gets used often and for years to come!

Riding high on his generosity I was pumped for my drive!  I went to the store, re-stocked up on Odwalla Juices and Smoothies (we drank the last batch), grabbed some fresh fruit, some granola bars and some cookies.  I wanted to serve some snacks to the kids that came to play at our duck pond!

I took some cones and a ball for the kids to kick around for a make shift soccer game, some jump ropes, a hula hoop, a football and a Frisbee so that parents and kids could donate and kids could GET OUT AND PLAY!  It was a beautiful, sunny and breezy day and I loved it!

Now, my neighbors are generous but a little camera shy so I have little shots of them donating but lots of photos of their stuff!  Which is just fine!  In addition to the Bowflex I received a bowling ball, softball helmets, a set of golf clubs, baseball pads, baseballs and so much more!  Plus, I bought some new stuff to give as well!  In all, I’d say we easily donated $1,500 or more in sports equipment to Boys and Girl Country!

This experience, as all of the Champions for Kids Simple Service Projects, has touched my heart, made me exceptionally thankful to live in my wonderful neighborhood and grateful that there are organizations like Boys and Girls Country to care for kids who have no one else.

Check out all of the Simple Service Projects that you can be a part of too on the Champions or Kids Website.  And the next time you are at the store, choose some of the amazing assortment of Odwalla Juices and Smoothies!  You will LOVE them!

Like Champions for Kids on Facebook and Follow them on Twitter and keep up with all of the Simple Service Projects!

 **This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias #collectivebias #CBias.  All writings and opinions are 100% mine.  Please see my Disclaimer/ Privacy Policy for more information.**