At Ziply Fiber, being part of the community means showing up in ways that make a real difference for families and the communities in which they live. One of the best examples of that is our ongoing support of youth sports across Washington.
For Jennifer Harvey, Ziply Fiber's Community Development Manager for Western Washington, the work feels especially meaningful. Her territory stretches from Lynden down to Shoreline and out toward Index and Sammamish, giving her a front-row seat to how youth sports bring people together.
"We should invest in our youth. They're the next generation—future workers and leaders," Jennifer explained. "Youth sports give kids so much: discipline, social skills, the chance to be active and just be kids. It's really important for us to put money into something that gives them those opportunities."
Ziply Fiber's support takes many forms: sponsoring soccer, baseball and football leagues, providing jerseys and equipment, covering referees and umpires, even helping leagues upgrade their fields. In Everett, Ziply Fiber's sponsorship ensures foster kids can join local soccer programs through the Department of Children, Youth and Families, giving them not just a chance to play, but a chance to connect.
Sometimes, the impact shows up in the smallest ways. Jennifer recalls one young player at picture day who tried an Italian soda for the first time. "She was eight and said, 'This is so good!' Meanwhile, my son has a whole flavor profile worked out at our coffee stand. It was just a reminder of how special even the little experiences around these programs can be."
Other times, the impact is about joy on a bigger scale. At a free soccer camp Ziply Fiber helped sponsor, kids spent two days learning new skills, meeting a Seattle Sounders player and, most importantly, smiling from ear to ear. "For some of those kids, it might have been the only big event they got to do all summer," Jenn said.
One of the programs closest to Jenn's heart is the Miracle League at the Monroe YMCA, which supports kids and young adults with developmental delays. "It's amazing—everyone gets to bat, everyone gets to run the bases and everyone gets cheered for," she said. "Parents get to sit in the stands and watch their kids play, and we get to be on the field helping. The happiness on those kids' faces stays with you."
For Jennifer, who also coaches youth basketball, these moments aren't just part of her job—they're personal. She remembers the joy of one of her players finally making his first basket after three seasons. "We were all jumping up and down. His mom was crying. That's what this is about—confidence, growth and being part of something bigger than yourself."
Lindsey Madsen, Community Development Manager for Eastern Washington, agrees. "Bringing families and communities together really instills confidence in our commitment to community," Lindsey said. "When kids are active and invested in positive outlets, they're setting themselves up for success in life."
At Ziply Fiber, supporting youth sports isn't just about the games. It's about helping kids discover confidence, giving families a reason to come together and strengthening the connections that make communities thrive. From Everett to Monroe and beyond, those are the wins worth celebrating.
