Good Sports has been named a Bronze Winner in the In-Kind Contributions & Drives and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging – Fundraising & Resource Development category for The 5th Annual Anthem Awards for its Restore Play LA initiative.
Anthem Winners are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Judges for the 5th Annual Anthem Awards include Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer, American Heart Association; Anjelika Lours’ Kour, Creative Director & Managing Partner, DD.NYC®; Miguel Castro, Head of Global Media Partnerships, Gates Foundation; Belén Frau, Global Communication & Positioning Manager, IKEA; Heather Malenshek, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer, Land O’Lakes, Inc.; Singleton Beato, Global EVP, Chief DEI Officer, McCann Worldgroup; Trovon Williams, Sr. Vice President of Marketing & Communications, NAACP; Lauren Garcimonde-Fisher, Vice President of Brand, Planned Parenthood; Roma McCaig, Chief Public Affairs and Impact Officer, REI Co-op; Brett Peters, Global Lead, TikTok for Good, TikTok; and Michelle Waring, Steward for Sustainability and Everyday Good, Tom’s of Maine, among others.
Good Sports’ Restore Play LA initiative was created in response to the devastating LA fires, which left several youth sports programs without the equipment and resources needed to return to play. Restore Play mobilized partners, donors, and industry supporters to provide essential gear and rebuild access to physical activity for young people affected by the disaster. By ensuring that youth programs could return to the field with confidence and the right equipment, Restore Play helped restore not just play, but connection, normalcy, and well-being for thousands of kids.
“This has been a challenging year for the impact sector, but the Winners of the 5th Annual Anthem Awards have shown their resilience and continued commitment to a better tomorrow,” said Anthem Awards General Manager, Patricia McLoughlin. “This year’s winners are a source of hope, and I am excited to celebrate their work with the world today.”
“Good Sports is honored to receive this recognition,” said Melissa Harper, Co-Founder & CEO of Good Sports. “Restore Play reflects our belief that every child deserves access to sports, especially in moments of recovery. This award is a testament to the partners, supporters, and communities who came together to ensure kids impacted by the LA fires could return to the activities they love. We’re proud to help restore hope through play.”
The 5th Annual Anthem Awards received more than 2,000 submissions from 42 countries worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities.
About Good Sports
Good Sports drives equitable access in youth sports and recreation by supporting children in high-need communities with the gear they need to play. Since 2003, Good Sports has donated over $120 million in new equipment, apparel, and footwear to programs nationwide, helping millions of kids get in the game and stay active. Through partnerships with sporting goods manufacturers, leagues, foundations, and community-based organizations, Good Sports works to break down barriers to play and ensure all children can experience the lifelong benefits of sports.
About The Anthem Awards
Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose- and mission-driven work of people, companies, and organizations worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, The Anthem Awards define a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging; Education; Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment & Climate. This season’s sponsors and partners include AARP, Virgin Hotels NYC, The Bloom, The Social Innovation Summit, Sustainable Brands, NationSwell, and TheFutureParty. The Anthem Awards were founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, GLAAD, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.