West End Little League from Trenton, New Jersey, Receives $25,000 Sports Matter Grant from The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation

Thanks to the generous support of The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program, West End Little League out of Trenton, New Jersey, has received a $25,000 Sports Matter grant to support the league’s operations and help provide additional opportunities to the children within the community.

“We are so thankful to our friends at The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation for providing this grant to West End Little League, which will support league operations and the overall experience for kids playing baseball and softball in their community,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Business Relationship Officer. “Through this financial support, as well as the grant that was presented at the Little League Softball World Series earlier this month, The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation is continuing to help us create more opportunity for children to participate fully in the Little League experience and furthering our commitment to community around the world.”

A chartered Little League program since 1952, West End Little League offers children within the Trenton community the opportunity to take the field and learn life lessons through the game of baseball and softball. As the only Little League Urban Initiative league in Trenton, West End Little League has participated in multiple Little League Urban Initiative Baseball and Softball Jamborees over the years and has a total of 11 teams chartered during the 2024 season.

“We are proud to support West End Little League with this Sports Matter Grant as they are an organization that fosters teamwork and resilience for young athletes in their community,” said Kristen Garmey, Director of Sports Matter and Community Relations at The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. “We at The DICK’S Foundation believe that sports have the power to change lives and serve as one of the most effective tools for youth development and helping kids on and off the diamond.”

The award was presented on Monday, August 19, as part of the 10^th Anniversary of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program and #SportsMatterMonday celebration, helping to raise awareness of the importance of youth sports. Receiving the award on behalf of West End Little League was Ron Davis, West End Little League President.

“I am so excited for the kids in the city of Trent,” said Mr. Davis. “This is going to mean new uniforms and more improvements on the fields. You know, I got a little teary eyed because we are going to see outstanding improvements all around with this grant. Trust me, these kids are really going to enjoy this.”

The $25,000 grant presented to West End Little League comes in addition to the $25,000 grant issued earlier this month to South Little League at the 2024 Little League Softball^® World Series, Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, totaling $50,000 in grant funding to programs within the Little League Urban Initiative this summer.

In 2017,  DICK’S Sporting Goods partnered with Little League for a five-year, $500,000 commitment, and since becoming the Official Sporting Goods Retailer of Little League, The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation has provided grants and supported programs for hundreds of leagues since the inception of the foundation a decade ago.