Turn Two for Youth Program Going Strong

Lansing, Ill. – Turn Two for Youth a non-profit, charitable organization was formed to collect and distribute baseball equipment to active children worldwide who need a little help. Turn Two for Youth is the official charity of the American Baseball Coaches Association and a proud supplier to Miracle League.

From its humble beginnings in North Carolina, the drive to donate has quickly spread to communities throughout the United States, and over the last three years has progressed right here in the Chicago Southland. The Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau is in our third year of hosting Turn Two sports drives, the first two years collecting over 3,000 items for the charity and currently holding a drive through October 8th. Donated items can be dropped off at The Oaks Recreation and Fitness Center, Mokena; Matteson Recreational Center; Midlothian Park District and Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau office, Lansing. We're accepting bats, fielding gloves, cleats, batting helmets, uniforms and equipment bags and other equipment. You can contact the CSCVB for shipping labels and tax receipts.

After the equipment is collected at various baseball venues it is shipped to Charlotte, North Carolina where it is cleaned, refurbished and stored until a complete container of gear can be shipped to a pre-qualified area. Turn Two carefully selects creditable volunteer organizations on the receiving end to ensure the equipment is delivered and distributed as intended. Typically, churches and baseball organizations are central to the distribution process.

“Turn Two for Youth Executive Director Vince Chelena was awarded the 2018 Community Hero at this year’s Sports Tourism Excellence Awards by Connect Sports during their annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. We thank him for his commitment to Turn Two for Youth,” said Jim Garrett, President / CEO for the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The Chicago Southland is proud to bring the gift of baseball to kids and we are lucky to have great partners like The Oaks Recreation and Fitness Center, Matteson Recreational Center and Midlothian Park District.”

The Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination management and marketing organization for Chicago’s 63 south and southwest suburbs. The Chicago Southland CVB markets the Chicago Southland region as a destination for meetings and conventions, group tour, sports events and leisure. For more information, go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com