R.E.Y.E.S. field day participants completing football relay and obstacle course.

Set up across the Club’s entire baseball field were an assortment of field games from relay races to obstacle courses to fitness camp exercises. At one station, a group of participants precariously balanced water within the well of a Frisbee while running across the field to fill their team’s water bucket. At the next two, kids ducked to the avoid dodgeballs and raced over-sized beachballs from one end of the field to the next. At another, boys and girls navigated hurdles while clinging to a football as other kids and volunteers cheered them on.

“I love this event,” said Larissa Baker, mother to Hailey and Eric, who participated in the event for a second year. “My kids always have fun and even get a chance to win some prizes. It’s great way to keep them active.”

“I’m excited to be a part of everything, but I especially like the dunk tank,” Hailey said.

“My favorite is the football relay. I really like running through the course,” Eric said.

Photos by Amy DeMien Kendall Reyes rallying all the kids together at the start of the event.

More than 40 volunteers came out to make R.E.Y.E.S Field Day possible, including employees from Fidelity, Old Navy and Robert Half. Everyone committed to responsibilities that ranged from setting up for the event and being team leaders for each athletic station to checking in families, handing out T-shirts and even sitting above a dunk tank, waiting to be plunged into a vat of cold water by one of the kids holding softballs.

“I think it’s a positive thing, getting kids active and outdoors instead of inside watching TV,” said Tara Clarin, a volunteer from Robert Half. “I grew up swimming at the Club, so I know how important it is to be active. We also do a drive for the Club every Christmas, so I welcomed the opportunity to volunteer for R.E.Y.E.S Field day. It’s so great he does this event every year and I’m happy to be involved.”

Following the event, all who participated enjoyed a lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs catered by the Ninety-Nine and were entered into a raffle to win bikes, sports equipment, water bottles, scooters and other prizes. The first 100 participants who registered for the event also received free R.E.Y.E.S Family Field Day T-shirts.

Reyes expressed his gratitude to all who helped make the day a success, saying, “I’m so thankful to all the volunteers and donors for taking a little extra time out of their day to reinvest into the community. In fact, this event is a big thank-you to the Club and the city of Nashua for all they do for the community kids. It’s a way to give back and have a day where kids can have fun and be active. We are also able to give out a lot of prizes.”

Reyes has hosted the R.E.Y.E.S Family Field Day at the Club for six consecutive years, with proceeds going to support the Club and provide scholarship awards to members pursuing secondary education. Establish in 2015, these scholarship funds are designated to seniors who have been actively involved in their community and in promoting a healthy lifestyle including athletics, nutrition and positive life habits.

NFL footballer Kendall Reyes with his wife Kristin and their two children. Reyes is a vocal proponent of encouraging youth to be physically active.

When asked about his decision to donate all proceeds of the event to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, Reyes said, “I’m a Club alum, so I know the Club’s programs play pivotal roles in the mental and physical development of Nashua’s most prized investment – our youth. This is, and will continue to be, a monumental event to further the development and the welfare of our youth!”

R.E.Y.E.S. Field day participants completing the 100 meter dash.

Kendall Reyes with Fidelity volunteers.

Larissa Baker with her children Eric and Hailey.

Kids taking part in team water frisbee relay.

Kids taking part in team water frisbee relay.

Participants playing dodgeball.

R.E.Y.E.S. field day participants completing football relay and obstacle course.

Robert Half volunteer Tara Clanin registering kids for the event.