Contact: John Wolfe
Phone: 336-373-2255

City Swings into Action for Youth Sports
Tyler’s Locker provides equipment to area children

GREENSBORO, NC (January 20, 2011) – The Greensboro Police Department (GPD) and Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department have teamed with Ricky Proehl’s POWER of Play Foundation to form a new nonprofit to benefit underserved youth in Greensboro. The Tyler’s Locker program solicits and provides sports equipment and participation opportunities to Greensboro youth who do not have their own means to participate.

Tyler’s Locker’s first collection day is set for Saturday, January 22, at Omega Sports, 2431 Battleground Ave. The public is invited to drop off sports equipment throughout the day. Equipment is inventoried by the Parks and Recreation Department before being given to youth who have demonstrated a desire to participate in an organized sports program, but lack the funding and equipment.

The GPD will aid in the collection process, but also plans to personally deliver some of the equipment. John Wolfe, a captain in the City’s Criminal Investigations Division, says that gives Greensboro police officers an opportunity to interact with young people in a positive way. “As a police department, we are constantly looking for ways to forge stronger relationships with the residents in our community. We want the kids in the underserved neighborhoods to have a positive view of the police and to know that we’re here to help them when they’re in need.”

Tyler’s Locker gets its name from Wolfe’s son, who he says provided the vision for the program after recognizing a need in the community. “Kids need a way to give back, and my son was looking for a way to provide for those who are less fortunate,” says Wolfe. “There are a lot of kids in Greensboro who get new sports equipment every year. There are also many who have never even owned a baseball bat or cleats. This program uses sports to teach kids how to give, fulfills a need in the community, and offers those who are less fortunate an opportunity to do the same things as other kids.”

Omega Sports will serve as a daily drop-off location throughout the year, while veteran NFL receiver and former Carolina Panther Proehl will serve as a program spokesperson. In addition to sports equipment, monetary donations are also accepted and used to provide $50 parks and recreation sports scholarships to children in need. For more information about Tyler’s Locker, contact Wolfe at 336-373-2255.

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The City works with the community to improve the quality of life for residents through inclusion, diversity, and trust. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a professional staff of 2,800 employees who maintain the values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City is governed by a council-manager form of government with a mayor and eight council members. For more information on the City, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov or call 373-CITY (2489).