In efforts to raise the money needed to fund C-team sports at Yelm High School, freshmen athletes and their parents trekked the sidewalks of Yelm Avenue and First Street on Friday, Aug. 9, in search of donations to save five athletic programs. The “fill the helmet” fundraising efforts raised nearly $3,000 during a three-hour window.
Yelm Community Schools announced last week that C-team sports at the high school were cut because of a budget deficit and axed the football C-team, boys and girls basketball C-teams, boys and girls soccer C-teams and the girls volleyball C-team. Total Sports Development, an athletic skills enhancement program, immediately took action by announcing a fundraiser to raise $50,000 to fund C-team sports at YHS.
In less than one week’s time, the organization raised over $35,000 toward the cause, thanks to efforts from community members and donors.
“We appreciate the support, and I don’t think we say that enough. We talk about funding C-team sports, we talk about Total Sports Development and what we’re trying to do in the community,” Phil Ogle, TSD president, told the Nisqually Valley News during the fundraiser. “We’re trying to put our money where our mouth is. We want to come out and try to support the community the best that we can. It’s been amazing to see the level of support. Whether it’s a business, your grandma or grandpa, whether it’s 10 bucks or $5,000 — right now we say every dollar counts, and we mean that.”
Nearly 20 Yelm athletes, varsity, JV and C-team, attended the “fill the helmet” fundraiser on Aug. 9, which meant a lot to the organization’s president. Ogle said their willingness to show up to raise money was a testament to the young athletes’ fortitude.
“It shows that not only the athletes are in it. I mean if the kids are here, it shows that they want to play, and that’s big,” Ogle said. “The kids are here with boots on the ground. It’s them asking for donations. I haven’t walked up to a car — and I think that’s pretty cool.
“Some of the older kids that are helping are the mentors to these young athletes,” Ogle continued. “You’ve got these young kids, and I’ll even call the mentors young kids, but they’re out here saying ‘hey, we’re looking out for you and we have your back.’ That’s the family feel that Yelm has to offer.”
Gabe Baca, an incoming YHS freshman and member of the C-team football program, was thrilled to see the community’s efforts in attempting to save C-team sports at the high school.
“We’re trying to raise money for C-team sports to come back to the high school. It’s important to have these teams because it gives freshmen and people who want to try playing a new sport a chance,” Baca said. “It affects a lot of students, a lot of people. The fundraiser is a great cause, and anything helps.”
When the incoming freshman heard the news about C-team sports being cut at YHS, Baca and his teammates on the C-team felt a sense of uncertainty.
“It made me feel worried. I didn’t know if I was going to have any playing time or the opportunity to even be a part of the sports teams I wanted to play on,” Baca said. “It feels great to see the community coming together. We’re almost there reaching our goal.”
