NFL’s Moise Fokou Gets Kids Moving At Bullis (VIDEOS)

UPDATED About 300 kids jumped through tires, sprinted and maneuvered through agility ladders at The Bullis School in Potomac at the direction of a National Football League player.

No, it wasn’t an early-age football combine. It was a Root 53 Foundation event held July 12  in conjunction with the nonprofit Leveling the Playing Field  aimed at getting kids to enjoy sports and healthy eating.

Leveling the Playing field, a nonprofit with an office in Rockville and a warehouse in Gaithersburg, partnered with the Root 53 Foundation, created by NFL player and Bullis graduate Moise Fokou for the Saturday fun.

“The purpose of the event was really to spread the word to kids locally of the importance of health and nutrition. My organization focuses on getting kids involved in youth sports,” said Max Levitt, founder of Leveling the Playing Field.

Many of the kids at the Saturday event came from youth programs in D.C. and Baltimore where the foundation donates sporting equipment, according to Levitt. Other young athletes were also able to attend for a entrance fee. A total of $1,000 was raised at the event. Recently, the group donated $7,500 worth of flag football equipment to the youth program run by Impact Silver Spring.

Levitt said he hopes the exposure encourages donations to his organization. People can donate used sports equipment at his warehouse or the organization can pick it up for a small fee. The group also needs cash donations to pay for the warehouse rent and some administration fees.

Now in a former dance studio off Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg, Levitt said he is looking for additional warehouse space.

Anyone looking to donate equipment can email the organization at: info@levelingtheplayingfield.com.

About Krista Brick

Krista Brick is a multi-media journalist with Montgomery Community Media.

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