Buffalo, N.Y. (Feb. 6, 2025) – Project Play Western New York (WNY) announced that nine organizations have received a 2025 Winter Free Play Series grant award. The Winter Free Play Series marks an expansion of Project Play WNY’s successful Summer Free Play initiative. The Free Play Series works to provide youth in all eight counties of Western New York with opportunities to enjoy self-directed free play during school breaks, at no cost to families. The total amount granted for this inaugural process is more than $25,000.
Organizations that received grants are providing programming that best aligns with the mission of Project Play WNY, which is to work toward a community in which all children have the opportunity to be active through sports, regardless of zip code. Free Play programming at each organization will operate from Feb. 17-21, while many local schools are closed for mid-winter break. You can learn about the specific Free Play sites and programming at www.projectplaywny.org/winter-free-play.
“Pick-up sports and free play have largely been replaced by scheduled practices, games and travel,” said Aaron Hord, Director, Project Play WNY. “However, free play allows youth to exercise creativity, learn important interpersonal skills and develop a lifelong love of physical activity. We’re excited about our newest grant opportunity for organizations across the region and look forward to supporting no-cost, free play programming this February.”
Activities will vary by location. The Ice at Canalside, for example, will host free ice skating, skate rentals and skate walkers from 10 a.m. to noon each weekday during the school break. Cornerstone Arena in Lockport will also have free ice skating from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The Orleans County YMCA will open a Free Play Zone from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, featuring tag games, open gym time, soccer and other activities. Other locations may offer various sports, games, open gym, hiking, sledding and other non-instructional play.
In addition, the Buffalo Sabres’ youth hockey department will visit select Winter Free Play locations for ball hockey and ice hockey, with special guest appearances by Sabretooth.
The 2025 Winter Free Play Series grant recipients are:
- Buffalo Bisons Charitable Foundation – the Ice at Canalside – $3,000
- Erie Regional Housing Development Corporation – The Belle Center – $1,500
- GLOW YMCA – Orleans County YMCA location – $3,000
- Lackawanna PBA – $3,500
- Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center – Cornerstone Arena – $2,500
- Resource Council of WNY Inc. – $3,000
- Rural Outreach Center – $3,000
- Seneca Nation of Indians – Allegany Community Center – $3,500
- Sensational Fun, Inc. – $3,000
Reintroducing free play is one of eight strategies, or “plays”, of Project Play WNY, that seek to increase sport participation among urban, suburban and rural youth in Western New York. This strategy followed a comprehensive study about youth sports in the eight counties of Western New York titled, The State of Play: Western New York, commissioned by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program.
For more information on the 2025 Winter Free Play Series, visit:
www.projectplaywny.org/winter-free-play
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About Project Play WNY
Project Play WNY is driven and funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Youth Sports & Recreation focus area in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. It is a collective impact model that includes more than 100 individuals who are focused on ensuring all WNY kids have the opportunity to be active through sport. For more information, visit projectplaywny.org.
About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.
About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect the devotion of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.