Friends of Des Moines Parks donated a free soccer ball to each of the 340 children who registered to participate in the Des Moines Parks and Recreation’s youth soccer program, with the support of sponsors including Pro Iowa, Kick It Forward and the Des Moines Menace. Executive Director of Friends of Des Moines Parks Sarah Lohmeier said the organization first discovered the need in 2020 and has since created the Every Child Gets a Ball initiative, working with sponsors and community volunteers to address it. “Pro Iowa commends the work that the Friends of Des Moines Parks is doing in our community, and we are so excited that this partnership has provided soccer balls to over 300 children,” said Kyle Davy, Pro Iowa director of revenue. Kick It Forward President Matt Sahag said, “We are constantly striving to make soccer more accessible, and giving each player a ball helps us achieve that goal.”