LES Sports activities Academy Nike RBI continues to increase its annual MLK Weekend sports activities tools giveaway and youth clinics throughout the Dominican Republic, reinforcing a longstanding partnership with Main League Baseball that dates again greater than three many years.
Led by New York Metropolis educator Frankie Alameda and actual property govt Luis Sanchez, the initiative traces its roots to 1993, when Alameda coached within the first ever RBI World Sequence with the Boys Membership of New York. That basis now fuels a multi city worldwide effort centered on entry, training, and alternative via sport.
This system first launched in Santo Domingo, serving greater than 400 youngsters, earlier than rising right into a broader initiative supporting baseball, softball, volleyball, and academic growth. In its second yr of growth, Alameda and Sanchez partnered with Chito Polo, whose shared dedication to group uplift led to the creation of the Puerto Plata Worldwide Sports activities Basis. Right now, the inspiration helps greater than 1,200 youngsters yearly and has reached greater than 10,000 youth over the previous 5 years.
The MLK Weekend tools giveaway has change into a cornerstone occasion, strengthened by youth clinics led by present and former Main League Baseball gamers. The inaugural giveaway featured former MLB All Star Felix José, setting the tone for a practice that now attracts dozens {of professional} athletes annually. The MLK Weekend Clinic and Giveaway has grown into one of the vital impactful group sports activities occasions within the area.
That influence is made potential via partnerships with Main League Baseball RBI in New York, Dominican Nike RBI, the MLB Gamers Affiliation, the NYPD Hispanic Society, NYPD Dominican Officers, the Roberto Clemente Basis, and a rising community of group donors.
In 2023, the MLK Weekend initiative expanded into ladies’ sports activities when the NYPD Ladies’s Volleyball Staff traveled to the Dominican Republic to donate tools to 200 ladies and host a clinic alongside former Dominican Olympic volleyball gamers. This yr, the NYPD Softball Staff may even be a part of the MLK Weekend actions, additional increasing entry and participation.
Past athletics, LES Sports activities Academy Nike RBI additionally hosts an annual MLK Weekend backpack giveaway, serving to college students start the college yr ready for tutorial success.
“Our mission is easy, create alternative,” mentioned Frankie Alameda. “A glove, a bat, a backpack. These small acts of assist can change a toddler’s future.”
“We proceed to increase yearly due to our companions and supporters,” added Luis Sanchez. “MLK Weekend permits us to serve with function, and with leaders like Chito Polo and the power of our MLB and NYPD companions, we’re dedicated to reaching much more communities.”
Rooted within the spirit of service and unity that defines MLK Weekend, LES Sports activities Academy Nike RBI continues to make use of sports activities and training as automobiles for empowerment, connection, and lasting change.
