Students raised $700 at powder puff game to buy toys for children in need
By Karen Cresta, Correspondent, The Times
Unionville High School students embraced the spirit of giving back for the holidays, taking funds raised from the school’s annual Powder Puff football game to help needy kids in the Kennett area. From left, UHS students Ivan Yen, Phil Chidekel and Student Council Vice-President, Hannah Bass pose in front of the angel tree in the lobby of the Kennett Area YMCA with some of the wrapped gifts they delivered.
KENNETT – Unionville High School’s (UHS) Student Council Vice-President, Hannah Bass, had a great idea to raise money to sponsor six children in need from Kennett Area YMCA’s Community Outreach Program. In the spirit of giving back, Bass suggested adding a monetary donation box at the annual powder puff football game held at UHS featuring juniors against seniors.
The popular powder puff game was held at the UHS football stadium last week. In lieu of any admission fee, those in attendance were very generous and receptive to reach into their pockets for a great cause, according to organizers.
Bass was proud to say, “We decided this year to give back to the community.”
The total amount of cash donations collected at the game was $700. Bass and her mom went shopping with the money and purchased items on six children’s wish lists. Her peers, Ivan Yen and Phil Chidekel, helped Bass wrap all the gifts and deliver the gifts to the Kennett Area YMCA on Friday, Dec. 12.
It was made possible “because of the generosity of the families who came out to watch the game,” stated Bass.
The hallways and rooms at the YMCA are overtaken by the generous sponsorship of 300 area children in need.
Bass was able to sponsor six children for the Kennett Area YMCA’s 2014 Angel Tree Program. Each child in need is profiled and his/her wish lists are given to the sponsors. There were 300 children sponsored this year. Once a child is sponsored, a gold angel is put on the holiday tree – showcased in the lobby.
According to Lenda Carrillo, the director of the YMCA’s Community Outreach program, there are two binders at the front desk, one for boys and one for girls up to age 16. Members can choose a child “angel” to adopt and make all their wish list items a reality.
“Our members are all very generous and some take multiple children. This is the first time the children were adopted so fast,” Carrillo proudly boosted.
And the giving doesn’t stop there – The Kennett Area YMCA will also host a Santa’s Elf School, sponsored by Perna and Abracht Law Offices, on Sunday, December 14, from 4-6 p.m. Children are invited to play games with the elves, dance and sing, take pictures with Santa and enjoy a fun-filled event. The highlight of the evening will take place at 6 p.m. when all the sponsored children will receive their heart-felt gifts.
