Blue Devils Participate in Community Service Project

Huntington High School winter sports teams have been participating in a community service project that has seen the student-athletes and coaches collecting non-perishable food along with all types of clothing, with a special emphasis on winter items such as jackets, gloves, scarves and hats. But all clothing has been welcomed.

Huntington junior Jessica Kuom sent a message to athletic department officials suggesting the project. Ms. Kuom runs on the Blue Devil cross country and track teams and she cares about others and wants to make the world a better place.

“I came up with this idea that during the holidays, the winter sports teams can assist homeless people or those who can’t afford things as well as less fortunate families now that it’s coming up to wintertime,” wrote Ms. Kuom to athletic officials. “I was thinking that maybe teams could donate some clothes they don’t need or that don’t fit them and we could give these things to those in need of certain items. I was going to make this just a track thing, but then I thought to myself it would be absolutely amazing to get other teams involved because it could really make these people’s holidays better if they can’t afford things for their children or just things for themselves. I think it could be a really amazing thing to bring the teams together to help other people out.”

Officials met with Ms. Kuom several times and also discussed the initiative with the four member executive board of the Blue Devil Varsity Club.

Coaches of each winter season varsity and JV team were asked to have their captains take the lead in the initiative. The athletic department wanted this to be “kid driven.” Over the past several weeks, hundreds of pieces of clean clothing and canned goods were collected by the student-athletes.

Huntington coaches were asked to speak to their teams about the concept of “giving back” along with the responsibility for helping others. Coaches were challenged to inspire their athletes to care about others and to make an effort to play a small role in addressing the ills of society.

“We are proud of our teams for bringing their efforts into the greater community to make sure that those less fortunate have access to what they need this winter,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “Additionally, we are beyond proud of Jessica for taking initiative. The holiday season is all about giving, but our students and staff have always been committed to doing so year-round. Just another characteristic of a very special school district community.”

A premium was placed on collecting warm winter clothing, including jackets. All athletes were asked to bring at least one item of clothing and two non-perishable items.

Athletic department officials along with some coaching staff members made several deliveries of the items to both Tri-CYA and Helping Hand Rescue Mission.