FreightCenter Named Sponsor of Global Gear Drive
NAYS (National Alliance for Youth Sports) - January 28, 2009
The National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) is pleased to announce that FreightCenter, one of the largest internet-based freight logistics companies, has joined its efforts to provide sports equipment to children in need worldwide through its Global Gear Drive.
As the newly named sponsor of the Global Gear Drive, FreightCenter is providing significant discounts to parks and recreation departments, sports agencies, schools and individuals interested in shipping new and used sports equipment to NAYS headquarters for distribution to children around the world.
“We are truly proud to be working with the Global Gear Drive,” said Matthew Brosious, CEO and president of FreightCenter. “To be a part of this wonderful charitable venture of providing sports equipment to children in need around the world is truly rewarding, and we are looking forward to doing our part to make a difference in thousands of young lives.”
The Global Gear Drive was created by NAYS to put sports equipment in the hands of children living in developing regions around the world that wish to take part in quality sports activities but are unable to due to shortages of equipment and the lack of facilities in their countries. Since its inception, equipment has been sent to Zambia, Kenya, Nepal, India, Mexico, Darfur, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Anguilla and Trinidad and Tobago, among others. It also has sent many shipments to those areas in the U.S. that were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
"Every so often you come across a major company that takes a step back from its day-to-day operations and commits to doing what they can to make the world a better place and FreightCenter has done exactly that," said Fred Engh, founder and president of NAYS. "I applaud their passion and know their involvement will make a tremendous difference in the success of the Global Gear Drive."
Besides providing major cost savings for parks and recreation agencies, FreightCenter's low shipping rates will allow NAYS to send more shipments - and reach more children worldwide.
"As a nonprofit organization the biggest hurdle we have struggled with for quite some time is the substantial shipping costs involved with sending equipment to countries around the world," said Cindy Daub, director of the Global Gear Drive. "By having FreightCenter on board - providing substantial savings to not only those who send equipment to us, but also for us to ship it out - we will be able to reach countless children and impact their lives, and that is what it is all about."
FreightCenter is overseen by American Freight Companies, based in Clearwater, Fla. It features a network of more than 200 freight carriers and provides a variety of services.
"I know youth sports played an instrumental role in my development and to have the chance to pass that enjoyment on to children less fortunate is truly gratifying," said Clint Hargrove, transportation broker for FreightCenter.
NAYS has been America's leading advocate for positive and safe sports for kids since 1981. In 2003 it established the International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS) to build the value of sports for children worldwide through programs like the Global Gear Drive. For more information call (800) 729-2057, email gear@nays.org or visit www.iays.org.
