Our Mission
Play isn't something you outgrow; rather, it's a joyful lifestyle that should be cultivated. We want everyone to experience such a joy-filled life... and it begins with enabling youth to just play.
Igniting the Spark
At Just Play, we work to ignite the spark through four programs, each of which enables its participants to play in a unique way.
Why Athletics?
Organized sports provide community, and community brings healing - something we experienced first-hand: just three days after losing Mandy, we rallied to attend a basketball game, surrounded by our friends and family. It was the first "normal" thing we'd done without her, and even though it was hard, it helped us.
In addition to community, playing organized sports teaches youth valuable life skills - leadership, discipline, teamwork, respect, adaptability - that will help them find success in their later ventures. Additionally, it's an excellent outlet, a safe place to leave their worries behind - a safe place to be themselves and (most importantly) just have fun!
Why Music?
Music is sometimes the best therapy. One of the first things we did after Mandy passed was create a Spotify playlist of all her favorite songs, and we still love listening to it to remember her. Music is so powerful: it conveys emotions and memories infinitely better than words alone ever could.
Granting youth the opportunity to learn music enables them to powerfully impact others, but it's also an incredible therapeutic and/or creative outlet for the musician. Like playing sports, playing an instrument offers valuable life skills (including improved memory, focus, and problem-solving skills) and provides a safe place to release your worries, be yourself, and enjoy the moment.
Why Christmas Gifts?
Some of our favorite memories of Mandy are from our last Christmas together. Her favorite Christmas gift was our newborn goldendoodle puppy, Maverick. Nothing could compare to her joy that morning... except for her smile every time she saw Mav! He was the gift that just kept on giving.
While we regret that we can't gift a dog to every family we serve through our gift sponsorship, we believe that providing meaningful Christmas gifts to children will not only give them joy as they tear open their presents, but allow them to play more and worry less throughout the entire year.
Why Team Mandy?
The Sponsorships we provide to youth ignite their spark, but Team Mandy is all about feeding the flame.
When you join Team Mandy (or an Athletic/Musical Sponsorship), you're enrolled in a weekly newsletter containing faith-based guidance on leading a joy-filled life. As Team Mandy members learn how to live joyfully (including how to humbly lead, serve, and encourage others), their joy will overflow into the lives of others, igniting more sparks of joy in those around them.
After all, that's our real mission.