New St. Louis Surge Community Impact Fund Keeps Kids Engaged Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
As schools and youth activity centers across the globe close to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), millions of children are obliged to remain at home. During this time, it has been paramount for families to consider alternatives to not only keeping their children safe, but also considering the needs of education, exercise, leisure time and social contact.
Khalia Collier, St. Louis Surge Professional Basketball Owner and General Manager, sought out to ensure that kids still were able to enjoy their favorite activities, despite the cancellation of various youth summer camps. Through the establishment of the St. Louis Surge Community Impact Fund, a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation, is committed and dedicated to using the fund to build leaders in the St. Louis community while empowering youth, women, teens and athletes, as well as women in sports business and entrepreneurship.
“I chose to work with the St. Louis Community Foundation of the longtime relationships established and because I knew I would be supported by a great team at the Foundation that has the expertise to expand our charitable work in the community,” said Collier.
Through a partnership with The Collective STL, a black yoga instruction and wellness group committed to improving the health and well-being of black communities in St. Louis located in the heart of North St. Louis, the Surge hosted its first Surge Community Day.
The event, which was closed off from the public to enforce social distancing, aimed at bringing together the community safely, while giving back to the local youth from Marian Middle School, Girls Inc. of St. Louis, and the Old North neighborhood. Families had a chance to experience a group yoga session hosted by The Collective STL, as well as visit with St. Louis Juice Press, The Fit and Food Connection, Rung for Women, and the US Census Bureau.
Every attendee was required to wear a mask and hand sanitizer was provided. This allowed the Surge to create a safe event while fulfilling its mission of promoting physical activity and supporting the St. Louis community.
“It’s so important to keep kids active, which is something that we truly value as a team,” Collier said. “This pandemic has isolated everyone, and we wanted to be able to provide families with equipment so kids can remain safe and enjoy outdoor sports.”
The St. Louis Surge is a professional basketball team in St. Louis, MO and is a member of the Global Women’s Basketball Association.
The St. Louis Surge Community Impact Fund, is a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation and provides funding to select organizations in need that are underserved in the community through the power of sports.
Click here to learn more about becoming a donor and leaving your mark on St. Louis by opening a fund with the St. Louis Foundation or by contacting one of our Giving Strategists at givingstrategies@stlgives.org.
Donate to the St. Louis Surge Community Impact Fund here.
