East Orange Youth Sports Gets Boost From Hoboken Co., Nonprofit – Hoboken, NJ Patch

The East Orange Jr. Jaguars youth football and cheerleading program recently got a donation of equipment valued at $55,000 from a Hoboken-based company and a sports-based nonprofit.

E-commerce mattress and sleep retailer Bear partnered with the Boston-based Good Sports to provide 1,500 pieces of equipment, such as jerseys, cleats, pom poms and agility training tools.

“As a father of two young children, I understand firsthand the important role that youth recreational sports play in a child’s development,” said Bear founder and CEO Scott Paladini.

According to a company news release, in January 2017, Bear pledged a portion of its net proceeds to Good Sports. To date, Bear has donated more than $150,000 to Good Sports, most recently partnering to provide 1,200 pieces of equipment to the JCFA Travel Academy and Shoot for the Stars Recreation Soccer programs in Jersey City to help boost its boys program and launch a new girls program in 2017.

“Since we began working together, Bear has quickly emerged as a key partner for Good Sports,” said Kelly Patterson, Good Sports’ New York market director. “With great thanks to Bear, we have been fortunate enough to provide so many children in Hudson and now Essex counties with necessary athletic equipment, and in turn, helped spawn the growth of dozens of football, cheerleading and soccer teams.”

According to a company news release:

“The East Orange Jr. Jaguars have been serving youth, ages 5-16, from Essex County (New Jersey) for over twelve years by offering opportunities in both football and cheerleading. The program is inclusive to all kids through its no-cut policy, ensuring that every young athlete has the chance to play and grow in the sport. Along with football and cheer instruction, coaches provide support in nutrition, tutoring, character building and leadership development. The organization is all volunteer-based and to-date many coaches have had to pay for equipment out of pocket to keep programs running smoothly. Currently 250 area youth participate in the program- a number expected to jump to nearly 350 by 2019.”

“We’re humbled by the generosity of Bear and Good Sports to offer our program this equipment that will undoubtedly help us absorb the costs of expanding to include more Essex County families.” Jaguars President Fritz Dupiche Jr. said. “This donation in particular will allow us to increase registration numbers, lower participation fees and replace worn out equipment. Bear and Good Sports are supporting our team motto, ‘One Team, One Goal, One Community.’ It comes at a pivotal time, as budget cuts across the board affect town athletic programs and more families begin turning to the Jr. Jaguars.”

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Photos: Good Sports