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Beach Middle School ‘Passion Project’ idea connects Chelsea and Detroit youth

Photos and story by Sharon Kegerreis

The vision to provide a field hockey clinic to youth in Detroit evolved into a different Passion Project for eighth grader Makayla Kegerreis.

Passion Projects are championed by every eighth grader in the second half of the school year. The five-month projects can be anything of interest that entail doing something for others, creating something new or learning a new skill.

Kegerreis’ overflowing April and May schedule – months that are generally more favorable to an outdoor clinic – did not have any open slots for hosting a clinic. As a result, her vision transitioned into collecting used sports equipment to donate to Detroit youth.

Makayla Kegerreis with the van filled with her Passion Project used sports equipment before it was delivered to Detroit.

“I really liked the idea of connecting Chelsea to Detroit,” she said.

The eighth-grader discovered Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL), a nonprofit organization that provides a home base for 14,000 Detroit youth involved in its athletics programs. Detroit PAL has police officers associated with the organization.

They are involved in community and school relations with the goal to reduce crime by providing kids with valuable after-school activities. Detroit PAL started in the late 1960s just two years after the infamous 1967 riots.

The organization accepts used sports equipment donations throughout the year.

To achieve her goal, Kegerreis focused on contacting athletic departments in Washtenaw County to inquire about old equipment that could possibly be donated. After this unsuccessful effort, she initiated a two-week equipment drive at Beach Middle School.

The positive donation responses by her schoolmates, including a generous equipment donation by the Zimmer family, combined with donations she received after her Passion Project was posted on two Chelsea Facebook group pages (Chelsea Community Cares and Buy It, Sell It Chelsea), resulted in the collection of 340 items in two weeks.

Photo by Sharon Kegerreis. Makayla Kegerreis stands on the infield of the new Detroit PAL field inside the old Tigers Stadium.

The equipment included 35 pairs of cleats, 36 softballs/baseballs, 26 mitts, 31 baseball bats, 14 basketballs, 14 soccer balls, 12 golf clubs, five pair of skates, 21 gloves and a lot more.

“It was amazing to see how many people wanted to help kids in Detroit,” she said.

On April 30, the Beach Middle School student delivered the sports equipment to the Detroit PAL warehouse. Afterward, Officer Norwood, Officer Pasley and Athletic Director Cox provided Kegerreis with a tour of the newly revitalized former Tiger Stadium and Detroit PAL facility.

The historic baseball field has been converted into the Willie Horton Field of Dreams at The Corner Ballpark, a 2,000-seat venue and baseball diamond that will be used for youth baseball and softball, as well as other sports including soccer, cheer and football. The ribbon-cutting for the ballpark was in March and opening day is scheduled for June 9.

“With baseball and softball season starting, we will host a giveaway day soon,” said Officer Norwood. “All the ball equipment will be used right away by families and coaches who need it.”

Cox, a former University of Michigan volleyball athlete, is focused on growing quality programming for Detroit PAL’s Girls Changing the Game initiative. After Kegerreis shared her passion for field hockey and her initial plan to offer a clinic, Cox invited her to host a clinic anytime.

She hopes to make it happen this fall, which would be a very rewarding full circle for her Passion Project.

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