‘Play It Forward’ was held at the Pond House in West Hartford on Aug. 26, 2026.

Stephanie Blozy received the Play It Forward Legacy Award. 2-4-1 Sports Play It Forward. Aug. 26, 2026. Photo credit: Dorena Atkins

The Play It Forward fundraiser brought the community together for an evening of games, giving, and support for Hartford-based nonprofit 2-4-1 Sports.

2-4-1’s second annual Play It Forward fundraiser brought supporters together in West Hartford, at the Pond House in Elizabeth Park on Aug. 26, for field-day-inspired games, friendly competition, food, drinks, and plenty of laughter. The evening raised more than $53,000, exceeding 2-4-1’s fundraising goal.

2-4-1 Sports Play It Forward. Aug. 26, 2026. Photo credit: Dorena Atkins

The funds will support 2-4-1’s sport-based youth development programs, which combine sports and social-emotional learning to help kids build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop life skills they can use on far beyond the field. Delivered at local Title I schools and through community partnerships, the programs focus on expanding access to sports and play.

The evening honored local champion Stephanie Blozy with the Play It Forward Legacy Award for her longtime commitment to sports, movement, and opportunities for kids. Blozy, the former owner of Fleet Feet Connecticut, established programs including Zoomerangs and the Little Manchester Road Race. While at Fleet Feet, Blozy sponsored cross country athletes at Capital Prep Magnet School in Hartford, equipping them for the transition to college. One of her former runners testified about the life-changing support she gave him. Blozy announced a new scholarship for a college student attending a college or university in Connecticut, in partnership with 2-4-1.

2-4-1 Sports Play It Forward. Aug. 26, 2026. Photo credit: Dorena Atkins

“I’m deeply honored to receive the 2-4-1 Sports Legacy Award because it recognizes something I’ve always believed: sports have the power to change lives,” Blozy said. “They build confidence, resilience, discipline, and a sense of community.”

Steve Boyle, 2-4-1 co-founder and executive director, said the evening captured the spirit of the organization.

2-4-1 Sports Play It Forward. Aug. 26, 2026. Photo credit: Dorena Atkins

“It was an incredible night for 2-4-1 and the kids we serve,” Boyle said. “It was great to see people having fun while supporting our mission. Exceeding our goal means we can reach more kids and give them more opportunities to play.”

In 2026, 2-4-1 provided multi-sport programming to more than 8,000 kids, including more than 4,200 students in sports-based social-emotional learning programs.

Play It Forward was a celebration of what sports and play can provide, and the importance of making those opportunities available to all kids.

Learn more about 2-4-1 at 241play.org.

2-4-1 Sports Play It Forward. Aug. 26, 2026. Photo credit: Dorena Atkins

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