Under a blazing late summer sky, Two Ten Footwear Cares® volunteers from Lacoste teamed up with Why Not Care® volunteers to clean up and repaint tennis and handball courts in the LES (Lower East Side) of New York City. Why Not Care NYC® is a non-profit dedicated to improving New York City’s LES neighborhood for all community members.
It was a perfect partnership: the Lacoste team in NYC specifically wanted to fix up tennis courts; Why Not Care® had courts and parks that needed improving; and Two Ten’s Footwear Cares® was able to connect the two groups together for a successful event.
After months of planning, nearly 50 volunteers from Lacoste, Why Not Care® and Two Ten Footwear Foundation arrived at the Seward Park Educational Campus on Grand Street and got to work. Under the leadership of Martin Medina from Why Not Care®, volunteers first cleaned and prepped three tennis courts and two handball courts. The courts were then outlined in tape, lines were freshly painted, and cracks refilled with new concrete to create smooth surfaces on all the courts. As the temperature crept upward to 100 degrees, the sweltering heat did not dampen the volunteers’ spirits!
These courts are used by thousands of people in the neighborhood, along with students from the nearby Seward Park and LOMA high schools. In fact, some of the Why Not Care® volunteers were students and their parents from LOMA.
Lacoste gave out new sneakers to all Why Not Care® volunteers and provided lunch for everyone which was enjoyed on the stunning rooftop of LOMA with 360 degree views of the NYC skyline. Lacoste also provided the painting supplies. Martin Medina was the key organizer of the entire project liaising with LES neighborhood officials and the schools to coordinate this large project. Why Not Care® also donated new nets for the courts. Another successful Footwear Cares® event completed!
Browse pictures from the event here.
