The sound of the bat against the ball, the swish of the net, the feel of new cleats when they first touch the grass. These highs of sports are something every athlete strives for. Leveling the Playing Field club at WJ collects equipment for underprivileged athletes and helps them reach their goals.

Leveling the Playing Field’s goal is to collect as much sports equipment as they can for people in need. The club gathers every two weeks in room 193 to discuss future equipment drives and new ways to gather more equipment.

According to club co-president junior Addie Strbak, LPF collected around 300 dollars worth of equipment in their equipment drive last spring. This year, Leveling the Playing Field is planning to have a fall equipment drive. LPF organizes the equipment drives by setting up bins around the Walter Johnson bus loop area for people to drop off the equipment.

LPF club members reach out to friends and family and the club posts across social media to inspire more people to get involved in the club.

“I think for members of the club and me, the most rewarding thing is to see how many people came to support and how much equipment people donated,” sponsor Irvin Payne said.

Being in LPF can be very satisfying and rewarding. Members appreciate the chance to give back to those who are less privileged, in order to help others find the same joy in sports that they feel. Seeing how many people come and donate the equipment they bought with their own money to charity is heartwarming.

Many club members play sports themselves and have the desire to provide help for those in need, knowing the benefits sports have had on them.

“I love playing sports and I want everyone to have the same opportunity as me and enjoy playing sports,” sophomore club member Brooke Brush said.

LPF club at WJ is a part of a bigger organization called Leveling the Playing Field. The club is just one chapter of this organization where all the donations collected go directly to..

“We deliver the equipment to the warehouse and the organization gives it to kids in need,” Strbak said.

Leveling the Playing Field is not only a club that gathers sports equipment. The club works toward being a close community and a place to make friends.

“The club is a great opportunity to meet new friends and meet new people. We are a close club and it is nice to have friends that have the same interests and goals as you,” Strbak said.

Gathering equipment for kids in need and making their dreams come true has been LPF’s focus. It has given a special opportunity for sponsor Irvin Payne to give back to the athletes. As a coach himself, Payne feels a personal connection to the club and its purpose.

“I needed help when I was younger, why not help somebody else now,” Payne said.