Albion Healthcare Center starts Sports Closet with donated equipment available

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Kagney Bienick, a radiologic technologist of the Albion Healthcare Center, recently came up with the idea to start a Sports Closet to help families who may not be able to afford their child’s sports equipment. Here, she stands next to a rack of donated sports equipment available in the lobby of the clinic.

ALBION – Orleans Community Health is proving there are many ways to make the community feel better.

A simple idea from a worker at the Albion Healthcare Center to give used sports gear a second life is quickly growing into a community-wide effort, said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health.

The Albion Healthcare Center has launched a new “Sports Closet” where families can donate gently used sports equipment, shoes and apparel – or pick up items their children can use at no cost.

The idea came from Kagney Bienick, a radiologic technologist at the Albion Healthcare Center, who knows firsthand how quickly the cost of youth sports can add up for families.

“Sports expenses can be outrageous, and if we can help make it so kids can participate and take some load off parents, why not,” Bienick said. “It’s stuff that we had laying around, used for a season or two, but still has life left in it.”

The concept is simple. Take what you need and donate what you can. Families are welcome to bring some items to the Sports Closet and pick up something they may need. There is no requirement to donate an item in order to take one.

The Sports Closet is already beginning to fill up with items, including football pants, practice jerseys, football cleats, soccer cleats, dance shoes and baseball pants. The hope is, as more people learn about the program, the selection will continue to grow to include equipment and apparel for a variety of sports and activities, Robinson said.

Youth sports can provide children with opportunities to exercise, build confidence, make friends, learn teamwork and become more connected to their community.

“As we all know, registration fees, uniforms and equipment can make participation difficult for some families – especially when children can outgrow gear after only a season or two,” Robinson said.

The Sports Closet offers an opportunity for that outgrown or unused equipment to help another child.

Shortly after information about the Albion Sports Closet began circulating, community members started asking whether a similar program could be established at Medina Memorial Hospital.

“I received several messages asking if we could do something similar at the hospital,” Robinson said. “That tells you how quickly Kagney’s idea connected with people. There are families who have perfectly good equipment sitting at home, and there are families who could put that equipment to use right now. This is a great way to connect the two.”

Orleans Community Health plans to bring the concept to Medina Memorial Hospital, as well, expanding the opportunity for families throughout the community to participate

Community members are encouraged to donate clean, gently used sports equipment, footwear and apparel that still have plenty of life left in them. Items can be brought to either the Albion Healthcare Center or Medina Memorial Hospital.

“This really is about helping your neighbors,” Robinson added. “Kagney deserves the credit for getting this project off the ground and building immediate excitement.”

Albion Healthcare Center is located at 14789 Route 31, Albion.

Medina Memorial Hospital is located at 200 Ohio St., Medina.

For additional information about the Sports Closet, contact Kagney Bienick in Albion at (585) 589-2273 or Scott Robinson in Medina at (585) 798-2000.