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

“We are so grateful to our friends at the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation for providing this grant to the West End Little League to support league operations and the overall experience for kids playing baseball and softball in their community,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League’s executive vice president and chief marketing and business relationship officer. “With this financial support, along with the grant presented earlier this month at the Little League Softball World Series, the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation continues to help us create more opportunities for kids to fully participate in the Little League experience and further our commitment to community around the world.”

West End Little League has been an accredited Little League program since 1952, providing children in the Trenton community with the opportunity to play on the field and learn life lessons through the games of baseball and softball. As the only Little League Urban Initiative league in Trenton, West End Little League has participated in several Little League Urban Initiative Baseball and Softball Jamborees over the years and has a total of 11 accredited teams in the 2024 season.

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

The award ceremony took place on Monday, August 19, as part of the 10th^th Anniversary of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s Sports Matter program and #SportsMatterMonday celebration, which help raise awareness about the importance of youth sports. Ron Davis, President of West End Little League, accepted the award on behalf of West End Little League.

“I’m so happy for the kids in the town of Trent,” said Mr. Davis. “This means new uniforms and more improvements to the playing fields. You know, I had a few tears in my eyes because with this grant we’re going to see outstanding improvements everywhere. Believe me, these kids are really going to enjoy this.”

The $25,000 grant to West End Little League is in addition to the $25,000 grant awarded to South Little League earlier this month at Little League Softball 2024.^® World Series, presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, with a total grant of $50,000 for Little League Urban Initiative programs this summer.

In 2017, DICK’S Sporting Goods entered into a five-year, $500,000 partnership with Little League. Since becoming the official sporting goods retailer of Little League, the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation has awarded grants and supported programs for hundreds of leagues since its inception a decade ago.