More than 25,000 pieces of athletic equipment ranging from hockey sticks to football pads and bicycles were collected Saturday to help victims of this summer’s devastating wildfires, fulfilling the dream of Jessica Ghawi — one of 12 people killed in the July 20 Aurora theater shooting.

Ghawi’s mother, Sandy Phillips, said the event at the Pepsi Center was inspired by her daughter’s desire to help people affected by the wildfires reconnect with something she saw as critical in every child’s life — sports.

“There have been a series of tragedies in this area, and we’re not about to let the darkness of those losses overcome the really positive and wonderful things that this community is capable of,” Phillips said.

In addition to sports equipment, Saturday’s event netted more than $40,000 for Jessica’s scholarship foundation and the nonprofit group A Precious Child, which put on the event. A man who wished to remain anonymous was the primary donor, Phillips said.

Ghawi was, simply put, a sports lover, her mother said. When the recent wildfires ravaged Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, Ghawi wanted to find a way to bring sports to the lives of those who had lost everything.

“It was her passion and her passion for life that this event really speaks to,” Phillips added. “She knew it was the little things that are now missing that will take a long time to heal.”

“My daughter would be so excited, so touched and so humbled,” she said, fighting back a tear.

Though the equipment drive remembered the destructive spring and summer Colorado has seen, the event carried a caring and festive atmosphere as volunteers for GiveSports sorted bins and unloaded vehicles.

GiveSports is one of six programs from A Precious Child, a local agency that works with disadvantaged and disabled children across Colorado. Carina Martin, founder of GiveSports, said youth sports affect educational, emotional and physical outcomes that are pivotal in development.

“In my opinion, I just don’t think it’s OK that there are children in our state who do not have that opportunity,” she said. “We get to help rebuild their lives in a small way.”

Donated gear will be available for fire victims at Coronado High School in Colorado Springs on Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and, depending on demand, in Fort Collins on Sept. 22.

At some points during the sports- equipment drive, single cars trickled through the line of volunteers, but for much of the morning, lines five deep waited to contribute their share to the cause — or just to clean out a closet.

“There’s a lot of sports equipment out there,” said Aurora resident Brian Pelepchan while waiting in line to drop off a volleyball and some other accumulated gear. “I really believe this is a good cause.”

To find out more about A Precious Child’s GiveSports program or to donate, visit www.apreciouschild.org. Monetary donations also are accepted by texting SPORTS to 50555.

Jason Pohl: 303-954-1729 or jpohl@denverpost.com