Rocky Point High School students and staff recently came together to celebrate Red Nose Day, a campaign dedicated to raising money for children and young people living in poverty.
The initiative is a special day to have fun, come together and work collaboratively to make a difference for children who are in need of help. The project is supported by the public charity Comic Relief Inc. and has raised over $1 billion globally in the past 25 years.
Rocky Point students and faculty donated close to $800 for this worthy cause and wore red noses and red shirts one day in late May to show their support.

Photo Caption: Rocky Point High School students and staff came together to celebrate Red Nose Day this May.

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District

IOWA CITY, Iowa — On one day for each of the past 18 years, University of Iowa student-athletes have come together to give back to the Iowa City and Coralville communities.

The annual initiative is tabbed as the UI’s “Day of Caring.” It’s a program of the Iowa Student Athlete Advisory Committee (ISACC), whose goal is to encourage community service among its teams and individuals.

“This day is incredible,” said Alyssa Klostermann, who was stationed at Good Shepard Center along with her volleyball teammates April 24. “It’s where the entire athletics department goes out into the community and gives back. It is great because you hear it day-in and day-out, Hawkeye nation is the best across the country.

“This is a day we can give back to the fans that give to us.”

Student-athletes have participated in the Day of Caring activities for the past 17 years, but it is just one of many community service activities that UI student-athletes participate in throughout the year.

Iowa student-athletes were dispersed at 20 different agencies around the community from the Iowa City Public Works to Habitat for Humanity to the Salvation Army. Tasks included spring clean-up to painting at the Crisis Center of Johnson County.

“Our team was split into two groups,” said women’s soccer senior Rachele Armand. “One group did gardening, and my group painted a room at the crisis center. It was nice being in a non-athletic atmosphere and going back out into the community.

“We went to work and let loose a little bit. Everyone started to paint each other, and we had a little fun while doing the project. It was a great experience.”

The Hawkeyes were grateful for the opportunity to assist the community.

“These are the people that support us,” said Alexa Kastanak, a rising senior on the UI women’s basketball team. “It’s nice to be able to give back to them as well.”

“This Day of Caring is a great deal,” said Levi Paulsen, a redshirt freshman on the UI football team. “We have all the athletics teams trying to make a difference in the community.”

“This is an awesome idea and opportunity to go out and support the community,” said Armand. “For all the things they do for us, it’s nice to be able to do a little something in return. These are the people that support us; it’s big to return the favor.”

The deed doesn’t go unnoticed.

“This event shows how committed the (athletics department) is to the community,” said Jeff Kellback, director at Pathways Adult Healthcare Center. “Every year we have them out here and it’s wonderful. They do a great job.”

Source: http://www.hawkeyesports.com/view.gal?id=194149

Last month, Destiny Parker of Cal’s track & field team and Tim Simenc of the men’s water polo team attended the Pac-12’s semi-annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee meetings in San Francisco. Two student-athletes from each Pac-12 institution were on hand to share ideas and perform community service. Parker shares her thoughts about the weekend.

To read more please visit: http://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30100&ATCLID=210937205

Basketball Game Raises Thousands for Epidermolysis Bullosa Research

Long Beach High School student Kate Hanson took the lead in organizing a basketball game to help find a cure for the devastating disease Epidermolysis Bullosa, with all proceeds benefitting the EB Research Partnership. She was assisted by friends and fellow students Emma Biffer, Brooke Harrington and Mary Elizabeth McCourt in mapping out and executing a successful event that has resulted in donations of $2,115 to date.

EB Research Partnership staff members Michelle Hall and Dinara Salem attended the game and spoke with students about the condition. According to www.ebresearch.org, EB affects the body inside and out. It occurs in the absence of a critical protein that binds the layers of skin together. Without this protein, the skin tears apart, blisters and sheers off, leading to severe pain, disfigurement and wounds that never heal. However, research is looking optimistic, with the prospect of discovering a cure in the coming years.
The game, held on May 23 in the high school gymnasium, featured the excitement of staff members vs. students on the court. Both teams demonstrated excellent skill and athleticism during this friendly competition ultimately won by students, and bleachers were filled with friends and family members who came out to cheer on the players and support a meaningful mission. A number of students and staff members also pitched in with the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that were involved in carrying out what proved to be an enthusiasm-filled sports event fundraiser. Vice Principal Dr. Andrew Smith and Dean of Students Philip Bruno were also instrumental in coordinating details for the day.

The fundraising kicked off with a Crowdrise page that Kate initiated, and the four students together solicited donations from local businesses, friends and family members. They also raised monies through the sale of raffle tickets, food and “Shooting to Cure EB” t-shirts that displayed the EB butterfly symbol. Families and local businesses donated snacks and gift cards, and the NBA generously provided a gift basket worth $250 as the grand prize raffle along with NBA Cares t-shirts worn by the student athletes.
Kate, Emma, Brooke and Mary Elizabeth developed the idea for the game, enlisted the assistance of volunteers and executed a successful event from start to finish. They selected the EB Research Partnership based on a connection Kate had already established with this cause and her interest in supporting it again this year. She first became aware of EB when she was in middle school and decided to take on a charitable effort as her Bat Mitzvah project. At that time, she raised $3,000 for the organization and has continued to be active in supporting its mission to help save lives.

“I was deeply moved by the suffering of a young boy I know with EB and wanted to do something to make a difference in his life as well as the lives of others with this terrible disease,” Kate said.
Jessica Scheer, EBRP’s executive director said “Groups like this one are essential to us meeting our mission of raising the needed funds to support a cure. Early medical research for rare diseases is hard to fund other than through government or large private institutions. We’ve been so touched by Kate and the Long Beach High School community for their dedication and generosity in raising funds and awareness.”

1: Brooke Harrington, Michelle Hall from EB Research Partnership, Kate Hanson, Dinara Sallem from EB Research Partnership, Emma Biffer and Mary Elizabeth McCourt.
2: Students and staff members of Long Beach High School played in a friendly basketball match that raised funds for EB research.
3 & 4: The game was filled with excitement as the two teams put forth their best efforts for a good cause.

Photos courtesy of Long Beach Public Schools

Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School students and staff members recently rallied together to raise awareness of cancer as they fundraised more than $5,890 during this year’s Mini-Relay for Life event.

The effort, which benefited the American Cancer Society, called for participants to take steps toward a cure as they walked a track set up in the school’s parking lot. Students earned white and purple beads to place on a necklace to record every lap and mile walked. They also had the chance to take part in a variety of raffles hosted throughout the event.

The program, which has become an annual tradition at the building, was once again coordinated by physical education teacher Maria Amoscato.

Photo Caption: Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School students and staff members recently participated in this year’s Mini-Relay for Life.

Photo courtesy of the Rocky Point School District

# # #