Be A Team Player and Shop Local This Year for Valentine's Day

Drive by Wilson Park in the spring and you will see a hundred banners along the outfield fences of the three baseball fields. Go to McGinn Park and Ryan Park to watch a youth soccer game or football game and see the sponsor names on the kids' jerseys. Our North Kingstown youth sports leagues are funded almost entirely by sponsorships. And most of those sponsorships are local, North Kingstown businesses who believe that youth sports is an important part of a child's development - athletically, socially, and community wise.

This Valentine's Day, let's remember the donations, the new scoreboard, or special events that were funded by our local businesses. The concept of "Shop Local" is to encourage you, the parents of youth sports whose kids benefit from local businesses, to shop in your local jewelry store, florist, clothing store. According to Independent We Stand (www.independentwestand.org) "For every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $68 will stay in the community. What happens when you spend that same $100 at a national chain? Only $43 stays in the community."

And while you are shopping, take a moment to say thank you for being a valuable sponsor of youth sports in North Kingstown. My mother always preached that being appreciated for the good deeds you do is one of the most gratifying things in life. And local businesses that are supported by the leagues they sponsor are more apt to re-up the next season and sponsor again. The business feels appreciated by the league, the league's players and parents frequent their business, the league benefits financially through sponsorship, and the relationship is positive for both parties. When you shop a local business that support your league, it is a Win Win every time.

So go visit Wickford Village and head out to Saunderstown and drive up Post Road and make an effort to shop a local business this Valentine's Day. Take a moment to say which league you are from and that you saw their banner in Centerfield at Wilson Park or their sign at McGinn Park. Let your local business know that you appreciate their sponsorship of youth baseball, soccer, flag football, softball, and lacrosse. This Valentine's Day - Shop Local in North Kingstown.

For ideas on shopping local, visit the official page of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce at www.northkingstown.com.