NH Combo Hoops, a Concord-based youth basketball program, is holding an athletic shoe drive fundraiser from now through Aug. 14 to offset program costs.
Combo Hoops offers private, group and team training, camps, clinics and an AAU team. It’s led by head coach Jason Pimentel, who played for NHTI and semi-pro in the American Basketball Association.
The drive is organized through GotSneakers, which recycles them to keep them out of landfills. The sneakers, whether gently worn, used or new, can be dropped off every Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Concord Christian Academy or anytime in the designated drop-off area.
“We are excited about our sneaker drive fundraiser,” Pimentel said in a press release. “We know that most people have extra sneakers in their closets they would like to donate rather than throw away. By doing so, we raise money to let our players play for free and help the environment. It’s a win-win for everyone!”
Pimentel is joined by a staff of Samy Abdalla, a Holy Family Academy coach, and Yann Yonkeu, a Holy Family graduate who played Division III hoops at Franciscan. Currently, the program has 12 teams from third grade through varsity and trains out of Concord Christian Academy.
NH Combo Hoops said it’s committed to breaking down financial barriers for its players in many ways. Another way they’ve strived to achieve this is through the creation of a development league, launching this fall, to host local jamborees and invite teams from around the state.