A sponsorship from County Materials Corp. has helped establish a branch of Courage League Sports in Eastern Iowa. Courage League Sports is a nonprofit organization that provides adapted sports and recreation with year-round programming for children and adults who are typically unable to participate because of a physical, cognitive, or emotional disability.
Courage League’s motto is, “EveryBODY Deserves to Play.” By adapting the pace, equipment or nature of an activity, Courage League Sports provides a safe and accessible environment where participants can move and play at their own speed in a way that is meaningful to them. Courage League Sports offers league play, sports classes, fitness classes, open gym time, art, music, drama, tumbling, adapted swimming lessons, wheelchair play and more.
Courage League Sports was first founded for children in the Des Moines, IA area. Now, thousands more kids and adults will have better access to recreational activities that suit them in Iowa City, IA. “County Materials is excited to support this worthwhile organization because it offers services that directly and positively impact our employees, their families and our industry affiliates in the community where we have our pipe manufacturing facility,” says Rebecca Sonnentag, VP of Promotions and Communications.
This past year the national Courage League organization implemented a new licensing program to help other Courage Leagues open and provide services to more communities. The Iowa City Courage League is the first to open under the new licensing opportunity with the sponsorship provided by County Materials.
The Iowa City Courage League began programming in fall of 2018 and already has five, 4-week sessions planned throughout the school year. The organization is also adding many volunteers. Courage League Sports has partnered with the University of Iowa to have student volunteers from several different programs, including Therapeutic Recreation, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology.