Students donate 200 pairs of running shoes to other students

From the Catholic Times:

EFFINGHAM — Three years ago two young teachers at George Washington High School, on Chicago’s South side, volunteered to start a track and cross country program at the inner-city school.

No money was allotted for the program in the school’s budget, the school did not have a track, its neighborhood was considered too dangerous to run through, and door-to-door fund-raising was not feasible in the area.

Still teachers Kristen Kennedy and Jennifer Reed had 50 GWHS students show up for an informational meeting on starting a program. None had running shoes.

When Michael Mitchell, JV girls basketball coach at St. Anthony High School in Effingham heard about Kennedy and Reed’s efforts, he reached out to help, spear-heading efforts to get St. Anthony’s students involved.

Now three years later, St. Anthony’s, with support from the Effingham community, has donated more than 200 pairs of shoes and more than $1,000 for the George Washington track and cross country program.

A jeans day fund-raiser held last month at the Effingham school brought in 80 pairs of gently used running shoes and over $600 in cash for the GWHS athletes.

On Saturday, April 9, GWHS students were to be St. Anthony’s guests at a noon track meet in Effingham. Parent volunteers from St. Anthony’s were to provide a meal for athletes from both schools.

Well done!  Keep it up, STA!