Hello! My name is Ethan Finley. I am a Life Scout in Troop 499 out of Dearborn Heights. I am also a senior High School. I have been active in sports since a young age. I have been on the school’s wrestling team for the past 3 years. And most recently, I served as captain of our high school soccer team.

Why do sports matter?

- Life Skills: develop self-esteem, goal-setting & leadership.

- Health: Healthy bones, muscles, joints. Reduce obesity and high blood pressure

- Education: improve academic achievements & scores. 3x more likely to graduate than peers who do not play sports.

- Crime Reduction: reduce drug & alcohol use, gang violence & crime. Keep kids engaged after school and during the summer.

I wanted to combine my love for sport and giving something to the community. So I came up with an Eagle Project Plan to collect new and gently used sporting equipment for under sourced children in the metro Detroit area.

I found my beneficiary, Leveling the Playing Field (LPF). They are a 501c3, non-profit organization located in several area (Georgia, Maryland, Washington State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York & Michigan).

LPF was founded in 2013, by Max Levitt. He realized that there was a large volume of equipment that goes to waste. So he decided to develop “a food bank for sports equipment”.

Basically, LPF distributes new and gently used equipment to Title 1 and schools with a high number of students receiving free or reduced lunches, as well as to youth groups, rec centers and other community programs. Bridging a gap between those who can “Pay to Play” and those who cannot afford to pay for sports.

Any monetary donations received through this GFM, will be used to purchase equipment such as first aid kits, footballs, soccer balls, softballs, air pumps among other items.

Please consider donating to kids in need. Thank you so much for your time.