Skating Makes Life Better

Wellpoint and Franklin Sports donating $15,000 in equipment to 15 communities to support youth sports programs

By Franklin Sports

September 19^th, 2024

Boston Bruins Center Charlie Coyle Joins Massachusetts Kids, First Responders in Skate for Mental Health.

STONEHAM, MASS. – Wellpoint (formerly UniCare) is partnering with Boston Bruins Center Charlie Coyle and sports equipment leader Franklin Sports to educate youth about the many benefits playing sports can have on their mental health by encouraging social connections, teaching teamwork, and building self-esteem.

At a skate held in Stoneham on September 14 for kids and first responders with Coyle, Wellpoint and Franklin Sports presented $15,000 in Franklin Sports gift cards to 15 Massachusetts communities to purchase youth sports equipment.

“Wellpoint works tirelessly to support our members’ whole health – their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. Partnering with Charlie Coyle and first responders across the state to encourage families and kids to care for their mental health and to engage in physical activity is just one of the many ways we strive to advance better health outcomes for the people and communities we serve,” said David Morales, general manager of Wellpoint. “Thank you to Charlie Coyle, Franklin Sports, and all of our campaign partners for joining with us to remind everyone that mental health is health and to take control of their health.”

“Growing up in Weymouth, I have many friends and family who’ve taken the oath to protect and serve their communities as first responders. Having played sports my entire life – from youth sports to the pros – I know and appreciate the positive impact physical activity can have on children’s mental health by reducing stress, creating social connections, teaching teamwork, and building self-esteem. It’s an honor to continue my relationship with the Face-Offs for First Responders campaign to highlight to kids, first responders, and everyone the importance of taking care of their mental health,” said Charlie Coyle, Boston Bruins Center.

“Franklin Sports is proud to be a partner of this year’s Face-Offs for First Responders Program,” said Eve Stire, Brand Partnerships Manager at Franklin Sports. “At Franklin, we believe that sports make life better, so to be involved in a program that emphasizes the importance of both mental and physical health, as well as establishes social connections for our youth, is incredibly rewarding. Furthermore, we’re thrilled to be able to support the hockey community in our own backyard and get kids moving, playing, and competing!”

The following Massachusetts communities will receive $1,000 each in Franklin Sports gift cards to purchase youth sports equipment: Framingham, Haverhill, Hingham, Lawrence, Lexington, Lowell, Lynnfield, North Andover, Salem, Somerville, Springfield, Stoneham, Wakefield, Westwood, and Weymouth.

As part of its Face-Offs for First Responders campaign, earlier this year Wellpoint partnered with Coyle, Athlete-Driven Worldwide, 98.5 The Sports Hub Bruins Radio Network, the State Police Association of Massachusetts (SPAM), the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM), the New England Police Benevolent Association, and the Springfield Police Supervisors Association to raise awareness about the mental health resources available to first responders. For more information about Face-Offs for First Responders, visit 985thesportshub.com/firstresponders.

ABOUT WELLPOINT

Wellpoint is a health benefits company with deep, long-standing roots in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, serving Group Insurance Commission (GIC) members, retirees, and their families for more than 30 years. Wellpoint provides health benefits exclusively to people insured through the GIC, offering a variety of plan options that provide comprehensive medical benefits. All of our plans also include coverage for prescription drugs and behavioral health services. Administrative services for the plan are provided by Wellpoint Life & Health Insurance Company. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is solely responsible for determination of eligibility and payment of any amounts due under the plan. For more information, go to wellpointmass.com.

ABOUT FRANKLIN SPORTS

Founded by Irving Franklin in 1946, Franklin Sports is a Stoughton, Massachusetts-based sporting goods brand that manufactures and sells over 10,000 products across many different categories. Franklin Sports is proud of its partnerships with Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, USA Pickleball, Pro Volleyball Federation and Hasbro’s Nerf brand including the leagues’ youth participation programs. Franklin also works with hundreds of elite athletes through sports equipment and apparel collaborations. Franklin is a multigenerational, family-owned business with a rich history and trusted reputation as a quality sporting goods brand – from recreational sports all the way up to the professional level – has made it one of the perennial leaders in the industry. At Franklin Sports, the team believes that sports make life better. Driven by Franklin’s passion to get people moving, playing, and competing, the Franklin mission is to bring sports to life for athletes of all ages. Whether designing a product for a World Series MVP or a child enjoying their first swings of the bat, Franklin Sports is dedicated to making sports inspiring, fun and accessible for all. For more information on Franklin Sports, please visit www.franklinsports.com or follow Franklin on Instagram @franklinsports, @franklinsportseqp, and @franklinpickleball, Facebook, and Twitter @franklinsports.