A local sports team took it upon themselves to possibly make those long summer days a little more fun for some underprivileged kids.
The track team at Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee and their coach, Jeff Griffin, wanted to do something to help collect for Kyrene School District’s summer activity kits, which they give out to students across the district. Inside the kits are things like crayons, scissors, glue sticks, small puzzles, card games, and small board games. But the Mountain Pointe team wanted to do something different, so they collected about $500 to purchase 900 jump ropes for the kits.
“My wife is a teacher in the Kyrene School District and she heard through some coworkers there was a need,” Griffin said. “First time doing a fundraiser like this. Obviously the need is there and an opportunity to help some kids. You never know the kids who take those jump ropes home, they might be some of our kids some day.”
The track team of about 100 athletes started collecting donations at the beginning of the season, on Feb. 7. Since it was a first-time fundraiser, no one was really sure what to expect. But the students came through quickly.
“On the first day of track we talked about the need for the project,” Griffin said. “Then the kids started bringing in money. Only three weeks into the season we had enough to buy them.”
Added one athlete, how fast and how successful they were is a tribute to the spirit of giving at Mountain Pointe.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I was surprised at how everyone came together for the kids,” said Bailee Richards, track club president. “All we really did was hand out fliers to people on the team. But they ended up responding in full force.”
They received all 900 jump ropes in the mail over spring break last week and delivered them on Monday, March 19.
“Since it was our first time, I hope we can continue it, just because of the great response we got,” said Daphni Kilgore, secretary for the track club. “And, hopefully, other schools will get on board because these are kids that will probably end up coming to these local schools. It’s definitely a good cause.”
The items in the Summer Activity Kits go to the Kyrene Family Resource Center, which provides goods and service for district families in need.
If you are interested in helping or donating any of the items listed above, they can be dropped off at their location in Tempe, 1330 E. Dava Drive, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, visit www.kyrenefoundation.org.
• Contact writer: (480) 898-4903 or troemhild@ahwatukee.com
