February 13, 2025 | By Kellen quigley | oleantimesherald.com
JIMERSONTOWN — Project Play Western New York announced the Seneca Nation is one of nine recipients of a 2025 Winter Free Play Series grant award.
The Winter Free Play Series marks an expansion of the successful Summer Free Play initiative. The Free Play Series works to provide youth in eight Western New York counties with opportunities to enjoy self-directed free play during school breaks, at no cost to families.
The Seneca Nation received $3,500 to host a Free Play Zone at the Allegany Community Center for kids during the February break, Feb. 17–21.
“Pick-up sports and free play have largely been replaced by scheduled practices, games and travel,” said Aaron Hord, director of Project Play WNY. “However, free play allows youth to exercise creativity, learn important interpersonal skills and develop a lifelong love of physical activity. We’re excited about our newest grant opportunity for organizations across the region and look forward to supporting no-cost free play programming this February.”
In addition, the Buffalo Sabres’ youth hockey department will visit select Winter Free Play locations for ball hockey and ice hockey, with special guest appearances by Sabretooth.
For more information, visit projectplaywny.org/winter-free-play.
