For Immediate Release: June 15, 2011

LEAPS Lax Philadelphia

 LEAPS LAX and Boathouse Sports TO HOST  2^nd Annual “Friends and Benefits ‘PRO’ LACROSSE CHARITY EVENT”

Philadelphia, PA—June 15, 2011 – LEAPS Lax  will be joined by 30+ ‘pro’ lacrosse players – on September 24, 2011, in hosting the 2nd annual “Friends and Benefits” ‘pro’ lacrosse charity event at Plymouth Whitemarsh Victory Fields in Lafayette Hill, PA.

 LEAPS Lax will be holding a youth clinic Saturday morning (check in at 12pm; clinic from 1p-3p) for youth players aged 8 and up.  The clinic will be followed by a charity game at 4pm, played by the ‘pros,’ which will be free to the public thanks to generous sponsors.

LEAPS Lax is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2008, and run by professional lacrosse players John Christmas, Eric Gregg, and Billy McKinney, bringing lacrosse training, educational mentoring, and nutritional education to the youth throughout Philadelphia who do not otherwise have access to such resources.

In addition to benefiting the LEAPS programs, each player will be playing to benefit an additional cause or charity.  Organizations such as the MS Society, HEADstrong Foundation, Yeardley Love Memorial Scholarship, and a variety of other worthy and special causes will be represented.

Since admission to the game is free, LEAPS is relying on individual, corporate and team sponsorships to benefit the programs and impact the additional network of incredible causes. If you are interested in participating in the “Friends and Benefits” event, as a sponsor or volunteer, please contact the Director of PR and Events for LEAPS, Valerie Morini  (610.724.9034/ valeriemorini@gmail.com).

“We are pleased and proud to be able to host such a broad-based effort to benefit so many worthy causes, all devoted to creating positive change in their communities.  It is such a privilege for us, as athletes and role models, to have this opportunity to come together, transcending sports, to express the importance of giving back.”    – John Christmas, co-founder of LEAPS and former Philadelphia Wings player

 

Pictures from DLF awards

Great photo of LEAPS Wilmington coach Lee Powers, who was awarded Person of the Year honors from the Delaware Lacrosse Foundation. Pictured next to Lee (left to right) is the Coach of the Year winner Jake Rashkind and Assistant Coach of the Year Ray Carbone, all of whom are Wilmington Friends Coaches and LEAPS coaches and Wilmington.  Thanks for all you guys do for LEAPS!

 

LEAPS’ Coach Lee Powers Honored.

Over the past two seasons, the LEAPS programs have expanded in both capacity and geography.  LEAPS Wilmington has been a tremendous addition to our roster of teams, and has been met with continued success thanks to the devotion and excellent direction provided by volunteer coach Lee Powers.

The LEAPS program that Powers runs in Wilmington and out of the Hilltop Community Center has made an impact on the community that has not gone unnoticed.   Recently Powers was named the Delaware Lacrosse Foundation Person of the Year.  A true testament for the amazing work and commitment he has put into the LEAPS Wilmington and Hilltop programs.

The rest of the LEAPS coaches, staff, and volunteers want to congratulate Lee on a job very well done, and thank him for his commitment to implementing and spreading the LEAPS mission!

 

 

LEAPS heads to NCAA Final Four!

On Saturday, some of the LEAPS team and volunteers went down to Baltimore and took in the great NCAA Final Four action.  The annual trip is a great way to expose the LEAPS players to a higher level of the game, and always leads to great discussion about colleges and individual goals.

Pictured below is co-founder and Executive Director Eric Gregg with LEAPS 8th grader Justin Smith, and volunteers Matt Dunn, Liam Correia, Brad James, and Brendan Dieck.  Thanks goes out to USLacrosse for the tickets, and helping us to provide our players with such an amazing experience!

 

 

2011 charity event sponsorship opportunities!

Full sponsorship levels and descriptions can be downloaded here.

 

LEAPS announces 2011 ‘pro’ Charity Event

 

LEAPS spreads lacrosse to two more Philly high schools

This week the LEAPS staff took some additional steps in their mission to spread the sport of lacrosse through the city of Philadelphia.  LEAPS partnered with Tina Sloan Green of the Black Women in Sports Foundation, and Cathy D’Ignazio of the Philadelphia Lacrosse Association on visits to Vaux and University City high schools, providing lacrosse education to raise awareness and encourage participation in the sport, new to both schools.

Vaux and University City have been designated as the next Philadelphia high schools to add lacrosse to their athletic programs, and are preparing to launch both boys and girls teams this spring.  Both teams are still developing and are in need of coaches.

LEAPS is very excited about these new teams, and is thrilled about the increased opportunities they will provide for young men and women in Philadelphia to be exposed to lacrosse.