Maye Foundation Donates $25,000 in Gear to Chelsea
The MayeDay Family Foundation and Good Sports provided helmets, shoulder pads, and footballs to Chelsea High School to support after-school sports.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Drake Maye and Ann Michael donated more than $25,000 in helmets, shoulder pads, and footballs to Chelsea High School. The gift launched the Power Up Play program, which supports after-school sports at New England high schools.
Why it matters
Cost is a barrier for students joining sports teams, and the donation targets equipment expenses that can keep students from participating. The effort reflects a broader concern about the expense of school activities for families.
The equipment donation is valued at $25,000, while a 2019 Michigan survey of 961 parents found school sports averaged $408 in cost. The survey's current relevance is unresolved because it predates recent price changes.
The players
Drake Maye
Drake Maye is a quarterback for the New England Patriots who co-founded the MayeDay Family Foundation with his wife.
Good Sports
Good Sports is a Boston-based nonprofit that provides sports equipment to young athletes and partners on the Power Up Play program.
The details
The donation was made through the MayeDay Family Foundation and Good Sports, a Boston-based nonprofit. The foundation was founded in March 2026 and also organized a May celebrity softball game in Worcester that raised over $500,000.
Timeline
March 2026: MayeDay Family Foundation founded.
May 2026: Celebrity softball game at Polar Park raised over $500,000.
October 28, 2026: Helmet, pad, and football donation made to Chelsea High School.
Cost Barriers
A 2019 Michigan survey of 961 parents found school sports averaged $408 per student and that lower-income students participated in activities at half the rate of higher-income peers. The Power Up Play program responds to those documented equipment and fee pressures.
Families whose children want to play school sports may face lower equipment costs if similar programs expand to their schools. Parents should check with their school about available fee waivers or scholarships, since only 7% had ever applied for one in the 2019 survey.
The takeaway
Equipment and participation fees can keep students out of sports, so asking schools about waivers and donated gear is a practical step for families. Community partnerships like Power Up Play show one way to reduce those barriers.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how other organizations are supporting students and communities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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