Children’s Home Society of Florida basketball court restored

Posted on September 1, 2017 By Editor Articles, Neighborhood News

Children’s Home Society basketball court “before and after"

What better way to celebrate a new basketball court than to hold a tournament? That’s what Children’s Home Society of Florida did Aug. 1 when more than 50 volunteers, staff and friends of CHS gathered to officially break in the new court with the inaugural Building Bridges Basketball Tournament.

The old court was practically unusable until Eagle Scout candidate Daniel Lichlyter, of Ponte Vedra, organized members of Boy Scout Troop 288, donors and volunteers to restore the cracked and crumbling court.

Daniel Lichlyter

Drawn to the vision of CHS – “A world where children realize their full potential” – Lichlyter first learned of CHS when his father, Paul, was on the local Board of Directors and his mother, Amy, was volunteering on campus.

“I wanted to do something that would impact kids in a positive way for years to come,” said Lichlyter, who enlisted the help of ACRYTECH Recreational Coatings, and Court Surfaces to complete the transformation. The companies donated equipment and materials and provided guidance to the volunteers who put in the labor.

“A few days after we finished the project, I spoke with some kids playing on the court and heard a few of the problems and obstacles they were experiencing,” said Lichlyter.

Boy Scout Troop 288 played against three teams made up from CHS staff and also from volunteers from The Solution Dynamics, an athlete training and life coaching program. The UNF Osprey Women’s Basketball Team volunteered as coaches, referees and scorekeepers.

Although Team “Full Potential” won the tournament, Shawn Naugle, CHS regional director of program operations, said the real winner of the tournament was Lichlyter, for giving his time and talent.

“The resurfacing of our basketball court will bring joy to hundreds of children for years to come. We are so proud that Daniel is carrying on a passion to help children established by his parents, Paul and Amy,” said Kymberly Cook, executive director serving Northeast Florida.