Mesa couple’s charity helps kids play sports
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As a youth coach, Ryan Blakeman knows the value of sports in kids’ lives.
“If you are not involved in sports and activities who do you have besides your parents maybe they’re at home watching over your grades and making sure you’re in class?” said the Mesa resident, who coaches at Red Mountain High and Fremont Junior High.
“Once you’re part of an activity like sports you have coaches and teammates that are involved. They’re also helping guide you, an extra set of eyes on your performance and behavior and all those good things like that. The benefits are almost uncountable.
“Andthenthere’sjustthelifeskillsyoulearnbybeingpartofasportsteam–hardworkanddetermination.”
OvertheyearsRyan,withthehelpoffriendswhoownedbusinesses,fundedthingslikeshoesor“pay-to-play”feesfordisadvantagedstudentssotheycanparticipateinsports.
Aschoolparticipationfeeistypically$150,whichsomefamiliescan’tafford,accordingtoRyan.Fremont,forinstance,isaTitle1campusthatservesalargerconcentrationoflow-incomestudents.
“Thereareprogramsth
