Sports Organizations That Donate Clothing to Kids

Sports organizations across the United States and around the globe donate millions of dollars annually to various charities, a number of which are dedicated to the health and well-being of children. From the amateur through the professional ranks, sports and athletes provide people with entertainment on their respective fields, while giving back to local communities.

  1. National Football League

    • Each season, one lucky NFL team hoists the Lombardi Trophy as the Super Bowl champion, donning shirts and hats commemorating their just--earned victory. The losing team's 288 shirts and caps are donated to World Vision for distribution in indigent countries, where they are handed out through community centers to the needy. Through the NFL, in 2008 World Vision distributed about $2 million worth of 19-0 New England Patriots championship T-shirts in Nicaragua, Romania and elsewhere." The same holds true for the losing team's apparel in both the NFC and AFC Championship games.

    Major League Baseball

    • In 2007, MLB joined the NFL in its championship donations to World Vision, sending its World Series runner-up clothing to Third World nations. Individually, teams contribute to local children's clothing charities through other means. In 2009, the Cleveland Indians launched Fill the House for Charity that donates partial proceeds from ticket sales to area nonprofits, such as Shoes and Clothes for Kids and Coats for Kids.

    National Hockey League

    • NHL teams primarily deliver clothing to children through more grass-roots means, often involving players and team personnel. Every NHL team has charities specifically designed to help clothe, feed and assist children. Some players adopt area families for the holidays, providing clothing, books and toys for children. The most popular form of clothing donation among NHL teams comes from coat drives. A number of warm- and cold-weather teams host multiple coat drives over the course of the season, with players and coaches handing the collected items out at various locations.

    Other Organizations

    • Youth sports organizations and sports-based nonprofits execute programs that provide clothing and equipment to local charities. In 2011, Good Sports Inc. donated $60,000 worth of athletic equipment to local charities.

      Police Athletic Leagues in New Jersey provide drop bins for people to donate their unwanted clean clothing for area youths.