Two Hinsdale Central seniors turned a summer weekend into $815 for kids who can't afford sports equipment.

Sofia Malinas and Mia Barakat, co-founders of the nonprofit Sports for All, hosted a camp at The Community House on Aug. 2, where volunteers from Hinsdale Central ran volleyball, soccer and basketball stations for young participants. The $815 raised will fund equipment drives the nonprofit holds throughout the school year, covering supplies like collection boxes and prizes for school drives.

The numbers behind Sports for All have grown well beyond a single afternoon. The nonprofit has provided equipment to 3,000 kids and collected $130,000 worth of donated gear since its founding, according to The Hinsdalean.

Malinas, a varsity soccer player, and Barakat, who plays varsity tennis, now have their sights on a bigger prize. Sports for All is competing in the 2026 Cubs Charities Community Awards, where the top 15 vote-getters each receive a $10,000 grant presented by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Voting is free, open once daily and runs through Friday, Aug. 21.

"It would be a great opportunity for us to just continue to support those organizations in Chicago by providing new equipment and helping us obtain a storage space so we can do a lot more," Malinas said.

The nonprofit accepts used equipment, which the founders say arrives in excellent condition. Cash donations go toward purchasing new gear for schools and facilities that cannot accept used items.

One young camper's reaction captured the day: the child asked for the event to be repeated every week of the summer, Barakat said.

Red Devils car washes line up for August

Three Hinsdale Central teams are hosting car wash fundraisers at the school's 55th Street entrance as the fall season gets underway. District 86 students return Wednesday, Aug. 12.

  • Girls swim and dive: 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 15
  • Girls tennis: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 23
  • Poms: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29

All three washes will be held in the drive at the 55th Street entrance to Hinsdale Central.