RECYCLING
75% of the U.S waste is recyclable, but the country’s recycling rate is only ~34.5%. Play Fresh aims to reverse this trend.
COMPOSTING
Society produces 21.5 million tons of food waste each year. If composted, it would reduce the same amount of greenhouse gas as taking 2 million cars off the road. Play Fresh is committed to composting.
SUSTAINABILITY
99% of discarded clothing can be recycled or reused. Play Fresh attire is made of recycled plastic bottles.
WHAT WE DO
Promote
environmental awareness amongst our youth through football!
Empower and equip young leaders to effect positive change in their environment and their local community through action-training, volunteering, and mentorship.
WHAT WE OFFER
THREE-POINT STANCE
Action-Training
Student-athletes participate in the Annual Play Fresh Zero-Waste Football Camp
Volunteering
Student-athletes serve at Gardner-Webb sporting events, Holly Oak Park, Compost Collective, etc.
Mentoring
Student-athletes are mentored by Play Fresh staff and current college athletes to help promote servant leadership amongst their peers.
OUR AWESOME PARTNERS
Testimonials
Don’t take our word for it – here’s what our partners say:
The inaugural Play Fresh Football Camp was a resounding success under the leadership of a rising young star, Keon Williams. Keon’s ability to visualize, articulate and enthusiastically share his dream to combine his love of football with the ultra-critical issue of environmental sustainability, wrapped in an educational opportunity for the local youth, was magnificent!
Keon then organized and inspired his team of highly talented and engaged millennials to execute the vision through his humble, charismatic and unselfish leadership at his alma mater Gardner-Webb, and financial contributions from his finance colleagues, which was a very savvy decision.
Play Fresh and its stakeholders delivered an experience well worth repeating!
Frank Van Buren
Motivational Speaker/Author
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” – Genesis 2:15
The first responsibility that God assigned to us was to take care of his created land. Through football, Play Fresh is teaching the next generation to care for the environment. By reinforcing our original responsibility, the young people are encouraged to develop an awareness and love for their own NEIGHBORhood. In my opinion, the Play Fresh camp is cultivating one of the few ways to individually make the world a better place.
Chris Flegler
UNC Charlotte Basketball Chaplain
I am honored to have the opportunity to volunteer at the Play Fresh Football Camp at Gardner-Webb University. Play Fresh provides a unique platform for young men to increase their environmental awareness through the use of football. The camp was impactful not only to those that participated but also to their families, the Shelby community and Gardner-Webb University. The young men walked away with a better appreciation of their impact on the environment, tangible environmental strategies they can employ in their homes such as composting, and an exceptional opportunity to be coached by current and former Gardner-Webb collegiate athletes.
Désirée C. Mittman
Financial Coach/Real Estate Investor