Dear JJYL Families:

 

Due to the continued impact of the Coronavirus on our community where schools and fields remain closed, and the two leagues that we play in, CONNY and Hudson Valley having both canceled their programs for the spring, we unfortunately have to cancel our 2020 spring John Jay Youth Lacrosse season.  

 

We are also postponing our annual JJYL Dinner and Fundraiser, and hoping we might be able to host them in the fall timeframe, depending on the situation. As parents of JJYLers ourselves, we are as disappointed as you in this outcome.  However, this is clearly the only decision we can make at this time.  

 

What happens next?

We will process registration refunds as quickly as we can beginning in May, as we know some families may need these funds as soon as possible during this unprecedented time. However, we are asking for those who can help the program to consider donating a portion of your refund at this time.   

 

JJYL is a Not for Profit 501c3 organization, we attempt to break even each year mainly through donations and fundraising as registration fees do not fully cover program expenses required to run the season.  As a program, we have invested significantly in preparing for the 2020 season. While some of that can be carried over to next season (such as equipment purchases), we have more than $10,000 in expense we simply cannot recover, including insurance, credit card/merchant fees from registration, web expenses and other ongoing operating costs. 

 

Recognizing the significant financial impact on JJYL, we are asking every family who can afford to do so to donate 10% of their fees paid back to JJYL, which will help us recover a portion of our losses. We will process this automatically for you when we begin refunds in May.  If you wish to opt-out of this donation, please do not email us – instead please respond to this survey no later than Wednesday, May 1, 2020 (if you do not respond to our survey by May 1, 2020 we will assume you are agreeable to making this donation – and we thank you for your support!).  

 

For those that would like to make an additional donation, it will help us offset the needed funds we will be losing from our annual dinner fundraiser, which is an important revenue stream. In the survey, you can choose to donate more by converting all or part of your registration fee as a gift to JJYL.  We will provide all donors a receipt for your taxes (as noted we are a 501c3 not for profit and your gift should be tax deductible, please contact a tax professional to confirm your situation). 

 

Please note the survey is the only way we can track refund requests and donations so please do fill out your response by May 1, 2020 (if you do not fill out the survey, you will be classified and deemed to have agreed to donate 10% of the registration back to JJYL).

 

You should also know that US Lacrosse, which is a membership requirement as it covers insurance and qualifies us to participate in our leagues, is not providing refunds for their annual membership fee. We have expressed our disappointment to US Lacrosse and have asked them to reconsider, but we do not expect them to change this policy.  The good news is, if you participate in our fall clinics, your membership will still be valid.

 

What About Loaner Gear 

For those who participated in the loaner program, please know that we will not be taking loaner gear back during this time.  If you picked up all or part of your loaner gear, please hold onto it to use in the Fall and the Spring 2021 seasons. We are extending the return date to June 15, 2021.  If you did not yet pick up your gear, you can do so ahead of the Fall clinics. Any questions, please reach out to us at  .

 

Additionally, if you ordered a uniform or spirit wear from the Team Store, those will be shipping soon from Lacrosse Unlimited. As in prior years, as those are custom items, they will not be eligible for return.

 

The entire John Jay Youth Lacrosse board and staff greatly appreciate your support, patience and

understanding during this unprecedented time. 

 

Please use our survey link for anything related to donations or refunds, however if you have any

other questions or ideas please send us an email to  .  Please note though, that we may be delayed in responding.

 

We would like to thank those in our communities who are braving the front lines – our medical professionals, first responders, grocery store workers, mail and delivery professionals and so many more – who are putting themselves at risk for all of us. We hope that you will consider doing something special for them too, as we know so many of you are in your own way. 

In closing, the board is looking to return to the fields in the fall to bring back the joy of lacrosse to your kids.  In the meantime, we hope you and your families are staying healthy and safe during these challenging times in our community and country. 

 

Thank you, 

 

The John Jay Youth Lacrosse Board of Directors

www.JJYL.org

Reach us at -