Imagine going to school as a kid, heading out to recess, knowing there will be no soccer balls, baseball bats, or any sports equipment to play with.
For some schools across California, this is an unfortunate reality - our KNX Heroe of the Week, Rishan Patel, is working to change that and offer kids a chance to grow in the process.
Rishan tells KNX reporter Heather Jordan, "For me, when I was in kindergarten-first grade, I was super shy, socially awkward a little bit. But when I started playing basketball, I was super confident and outgoing. I just feel like through sports, I've learned so many different lessons."
In 2014 when Rishan and his older brother were just young students themselves, they founded Alley Oop Kids.
It provides activity and sports equipment for people who have to go without.
"Seeing that so many kids don't have the same privilege or opportunity as we did. It's just kind of sickening because that's just not fair," said Rishan.
So their first project was to bring equipment to the boys and girls club. Rishan remembers, "Seeing their faces light up when we gave them [equipment]. That was moving."
Last fall, Rishan began the Lending Lockers Project, a partnership with an organization called Good Sports, which provides unsold equipment to fill lockers that Rishan and his team will send to schools in need around California.
Some of the schools receiving a locker are Aspire Tate Academy in L.A
and Antonio Maria Lugo Academy in Huntington park.
"We have 25 lockers roughly, and we have 30 more coming in India as well in the next few weeks," Rishan said.
"To me, it's very fulfilling to spread something that I'm passionate about and that I believe in. I think that's very important in changing the world to a better place."
High school sophomore and CEO of Alley Oop Kids, Rishan Patel, is our KNX Hero of the Week.
Listen to the whole inspiring story above.
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