Milton dads dribble up to support local charities

By: Mike Su, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

A local basketball group in Milton has made a significant contribution to fighting food insecurity among children.

Online community Dads of Milton has donated $5,000 to Food4Kids Halton, providing meals to children who might otherwise go hungry on weekends when school-based meal programs are unavailable.

The donation is the largest the basketball group has raised to date. It will fund 333 food bags, each valued at $15 at wholesale pricing. These essential food packages will be distributed to children facing food insecurity in the region.

The Dads of Milton basketball group began as a casual gathering of local fathers looking for a fun way to stay active. Over time, it evolved into an initiative blending recreation with philanthropy.

“Our basketball group started when one of the members, Rizwan, posted on Facebook looking for dads who wanted to play a friendly game,” said Fred DeCarolis, a longtime member. “It quickly grew, and we decided to add a small donation each time we played. What started as a fun way to stay active became an opportunity to give back.”

This marks the second time the group has donated to Food4Kids Halton, having previously given $2,500 worth of food, which they personally purchased and delivered.

DeCarolis and his team have supported several charities over the years, but Food4Kids Halton holds a special place for them.

“When you hear the stories that come from that charity and how many kids are actually helped with so little investment, it’s easy to say yes, and it’s easy to keep going back,” DeCarolis said.

The donation took one year and two months to accumulate. As the basketball group continues to grow, more members contribute weekly, helping to raise funds faster.

In addition to Food4Kids Halton, the group supports other local charities, including Stuffies 4 Smiles, a kid-run initiative that donates stuffed animals to children and seniors in need, and Halton Women’s Place, a shelter for women and children. DeCarolis said members collectively decide where donations go, and they have already begun collecting for their next contribution.

He hopes the group’s success will inspire other communities to adopt a similar model.

“Because of the impact we’re able to have, I would love to expand this to other sports and other groups,” he said. “It just seems like a lot of people in our age group—whether it’s dads in their 30s or 40s, or even a few in their 50s—are looking for something fun to do that’s good cardio. And if you can make some money for charity while you’re at it, then it’s amazing.”

Jennifer Sully Ferraro, executive director of Food4Kids Halton, expressed appreciation for the donation and explained its impact on the community.

“This incredible donation will go towards filling the gap for kids who rely on student nutrition at their schools Monday through Friday,” Ferraro said. “With this contribution, we can provide food to 333 children, which is almost a full week’s worth of food support for all the Milton kids in our program. Currently, we serve 354 children in Milton every weekend, and across Halton, we’re helping 1,221 kids.”

Food4Kids Halton operates solely through community donations without government funding. Ferraro said contributions like this provide not just food, but a sense of care and connection.

“It’s not just about the meals, it’s about community support,” she said. “One mom told us that every food bag feels like a hug from the community. When a group of dads comes together to do something like this, it shows families that their neighbours care.”

With this latest donation, the Dads of Milton basketball group is not only helping to feed children in need but also demonstrating how community-driven initiatives can create meaningful change.

DeCarolis encouraged others to join.

“There have been over 100 players since we started,” he said. “It’s a really casual, fun game. It’s not like a competitive men’s league where things can get heated. It’s chill and respectful, and that’s why a lot of guys like coming out.”