Lillie-Faye McWhorter, Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year, awarded DWR YMCA with a $1000 grant to go towards youth sports in the community. Lillie-Faye grew up at the Y where she played T Ball, softball, basketball and swam for the Warren Waves.
Sports have seen a double-digit decline over the past decade, largely due to tighter budgets in communities, but young people that participate in sports are found to be happier, healthier and better students. As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner.
“The Gatorade Player of the Year award highlights student-athletes who set an example both on and off the field,” said Josh Lytel, Associate Marketing Manager for Gatorade Player of the Year. “The grants give these athletes a chance to donate to organizations like, DWR YMCA, that positively impacts the youth in their own communities.”
“We are so appreciative that Lille-Faye chose The Y for this grant and she sees the importance in youth sports. We look forward to seeing her accomplish her dreams and keep working hard,” says Bart Goodwin, YMCA CEO.
All 610 Gatorade State Player of the Year recipients are awarded a grant to donate to a social impact partner of their choosing. Each Player of the Year can also submit a video about why their organization is deserving of one of 12 Spotlight Grants, which awards an additional $10,000 to the organization. To date, Player of the Year winners’ grants have totaled more than $5.6 million across more than 2,000 organizations.
