The Hancock Recreation Committee is holding a spring gear swap on Saturday, March 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hancock Meetinghouse.

Recreation Committee member Meghan Gould said this is the second gear swap the committee has held. This past winter, she said “we did a winter gear swap and that was very popular.” Families walked out with skis and boots and winter clothing, Gould said, and people were able to donate items they didn’t need anymore.

Gould wants this event to enable youths to try new sports and activities that can often have financial barriers with high costs for gear.

“Sports equipment is pricey,” she said.

For the spring swap, the committee is asking for gear such as life jackets and bike helmets and equipment for sports like baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, football, field hockey, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, swimming, skateboarding and rollerblading.

Gould hopes to establish regular twice-a-year swaps, in spring for spring, summer and fall gear and again in the winter for winter equipment. 

The committee asks that donated gear is in good working condition, that people take only what they need and items at the swap are not intended to be taken and resold. They don’t have the space for oversized items like boats, bikes or  paddle boards and items leftover after the swap will be donated.

“Lots of people have something that’s sitting in their closet,” said Gould, and this is an opportunity to give it another life instead of throwing it in a landfill. She said there isn’t a local Play It Again Sports, and she hopes this will provide the community with a new option for their old equipment.

People can drop off gear donations at the Hancock Meetinghouse on Friday, March 24, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., or they can bring items during the swap on Saturday. 

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