“Tough times never last, but tough people do!” and “Fear only limits your dreams #dontgiveup” were two of the motivational phrases handwritten on notes from Chicago-area female student athletes to inspire women facing difficult circumstances.
On Wednesday, about 16 students representing Whitney Young Magnet High School, Lane Tech College Prep High School, Fenwick High School, Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School and Solorio Academy High School dropped off dozens of notes to women who are homeless at Deborah’s Place, a social service agency in East Garfield Park that provides permanent housing and support services.
The messages were part of a donation that included 1,000 pairs of socks and a $1,000 check collected by hundreds of athletes from 80 public and private city and suburban high schools as part of the “Making a Difference On AND Off the Field” community service campaign. The campaign is presented by Buddy’s Helpers, the charitable arm of the PepsiCo Showdown, an annual high school soccer tournament in which more than 200 schools participate.
“It’s a great opportunity: women helping women, female student athletes helping women in need,” said Joe Trost, who founded the PepsiCo Showdown and launched Buddy’s Helpers in December 2015. “Everybody gave a little to make a big impact.”
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