Number of Participants: 43
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $5,984
Event Type: Children & Youth
Activity: Lacrosse
School: Gloucester High School
Date: March 22, 2026
Location:
Gloucester High School
Leslie O Johnson Road, Gloucester
MA
About:
Student-athletes from Gloucester High School’s Girls Lacrosse and Baseball programs recently stepped off the field and into service, making a meaningful impact at the Gloucester Education Foundation’s annual Power of Play event. Through their efforts, they helped create a fun, engaging experience that encourages youth participation in sports while promoting active and healthy lifestyles across the community.
Now in their second year supporting the event, both teams played key roles in ensuring its success—from start to finish.
The GHS Baseball team, led by Coach Rory, volunteered early in the morning, helping with event setup from 8:00–10:00 AM. Their work included assembling hundreds of cardboard boxes—an essential part of the event’s signature “box fort” activity that draws hundreds of kids each year. Thanks to their efficiency and teamwork, the event was fully ready ahead of schedule, setting the stage for a great day.
Later in the day, the Girls Lacrosse team, coached by Liz, stepped in from 2:00–4:00 PM to assist with breakdown and cleanup. Their energy and organization helped clear the GHS Field House in just 90 minutes—significantly faster than in previous years—allowing volunteers and staff to wrap up the event smoothly and efficiently.
Having both teams support the front and back ends of the event proved invaluable. Their contributions ensured that event-day volunteers could focus on engaging with participants, while setup and cleanup were handled with care and efficiency.
Beyond their service at the event, the Baseball team also took time to recognize World Down Syndrome Day, helping raise awareness and promote inclusion within the athletic community. The cause holds personal meaning for the team, as one of the assistant coaches has a son, Archie, who was born with Down syndrome.
“The baseball team tries to get involved in as many volunteer efforts as possible,” shared Coach Rory Gentile. “This is an event we’re always happy to support. And recognizing World Down Syndrome Day is something that’s very close to our hearts. We spend so much time together as a team, supporting one another—it’s a no-brainer for us to stand behind causes like this.”
The Girls Lacrosse program also emphasized the importance of inclusion and service, noting its ongoing involvement with local youth and adaptive sports initiatives.
“We love being part of something that brings the community together,” shared Coach Liz Lustet. “This is an event we always look forward to supporting. Recognizing World Down Syndrome Day alongside it made it even more meaningful. Through our work in schools and with adaptive lacrosse programs, we see firsthand the impact of inclusion and community connection.”
Together, both programs demonstrated how student-athletes can lead beyond the game—using their time, energy, and platform to support others, strengthen community bonds, and advocate for meaningful causes.
Events like the Power of Play highlight the powerful role athletics can play in building inclusive, connected communities—and Gloucester’s student-athletes continue to lead the way.
