Published: Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Edmonds District booster clubs help athletes, parents
They may be the unsung heroes for athletic programs everywhere. Without them, high school sports could suffer from lack of funds needed to keep them afloat.
They are the booster clubs, made up of hundreds of Edmonds School District parents and alumni who dedicate their time, resources and money in order to keep sports programs thriving and competitive.
“Given the state of the current economy and recent district budget cuts it has become even more necessary to do all we can to raise funds and help support the teams,” Mountlake Terrace Gridiron Club President Susan Esparza said.
Aside from Mountlake Terrace’s regular booster club, which supports all sports, there’s the Gridiron Club, which is dedicated exclusively to Mountlake Terrace football team. The Gridiron Club raised nearly $12,000 last year, much of the funds coming from its annual football dinner and auction. This year the event will be held Sept. 17, at the American Legion Hall in Mountlake Terrace.
“The mission of the Gridiron Club is to support and promote the many activities of the Terrace football team,” Esparza said. “We work with the coaches, students and the community to identify and address specific needs such as morale boosting, event attendance and creating an enjoyable environment for our community.”
At Lynnwood High School, the boosters raised more than $4,000 last year for athletics. Portions of the money went toward student-athlete scholarships, which covered athletes who couldn’t afford the fees to play in any sports. The funds also helped pay for sports physicals ($45) and several shooting machines for both basketball teams. Last season the pep squad, which rented a bus, was able to attend the girls basketball state tournament thanks to the money raised by the boosters.
“Budget cuts have made parent groups like ours more important than ever,” Lynnwood booster club secretary Kelly Reeves said. “The money that groups relied on from the district just weren’t there anymore. Our boosters are here to raise those funds and make sure that they are there.”
According to Reeves, the average cost for a student to play one sport in the Edmonds School District is roughly $200. “And that doesn’t include money for sweatshirts, appropriate footwear and food while traveling,” she said.
This past February the Meadowdale High School Sports Booster Club hosted the Mardi Gras for Mavs Auction and Dinner, which drew 193 guests. At the end of the evening, the booster club had raised more than $40,000, which upped its two-year total to $70,000.
“There are 700 students who participate in 19 athletic programs here at Meadowdale High School,” said sports booster club member Christine Harris. “Unfortunately, the school district and ASB funds provide only a fraction of the funds necessary for these programs and activities. The rest must come from outside funding sources, such as the Sports Booster Club.”
Each of Meadowdale’s 19 athletic programs received portions of the funds that were raised, including student-athlete scholarships.
At Edmonds-Woodway High School, the booster club netted $62,000 at its annual auction and dinner held in March. For an entire year, the club brings in an average of about $100,000, according to Matt Douglas, E-W booster club president.
“Our sports programs don’t get too much from the district, so we have to raise enough money to keep everything going,” Douglas said. “We want our athletics to keep growing. We have found that a good athletics program can bring together a community.”
The E-W booster club takes a strong interest when it comes to local youth sports or high school feeder-programs.
“We want to get parents and kids engaged early as possible,” Douglas said. “We think it’s very important to start at an early age. And again, bringing players and parents together early will lead to developing a strong community. Also we’ve seen that a large numbers of kids who play sports go on to graduate. And really that is the most important thing for us and our community.”
On Aug. 13, the E-W booster club, along with the music booster club, raised more than $5,000 at a car wash fundraiser.
“Basically, boosters everywhere are there to help students and groups with financial needs,” Lynnwood’s Reeves said. “That is our main function to raise funds for those who can’t afford it. It’s non-profit and is run by parent and alumni volunteers. We are there to support all student endeavors whether they are sports related or not.”
They are the booster clubs, made up of hundreds of Edmonds School District parents and alumni who dedicate their time, resources and money in order to keep sports programs thriving and competitive.
“Given the state of the current economy and recent district budget cuts it has become even more necessary to do all we can to raise funds and help support the teams,” Mountlake Terrace Gridiron Club President Susan Esparza said.
Aside from Mountlake Terrace’s regular booster club, which supports all sports, there’s the Gridiron Club, which is dedicated exclusively to Mountlake Terrace football team. The Gridiron Club raised nearly $12,000 last year, much of the funds coming from its annual football dinner and auction. This year the event will be held Sept. 17, at the American Legion Hall in Mountlake Terrace.
“The mission of the Gridiron Club is to support and promote the many activities of the Terrace football team,” Esparza said. “We work with the coaches, students and the community to identify and address specific needs such as morale boosting, event attendance and creating an enjoyable environment for our community.”
At Lynnwood High School, the boosters raised more than $4,000 last year for athletics. Portions of the money went toward student-athlete scholarships, which covered athletes who couldn’t afford the fees to play in any sports. The funds also helped pay for sports physicals ($45) and several shooting machines for both basketball teams. Last season the pep squad, which rented a bus, was able to attend the girls basketball state tournament thanks to the money raised by the boosters.
“Budget cuts have made parent groups like ours more important than ever,” Lynnwood booster club secretary Kelly Reeves said. “The money that groups relied on from the district just weren’t there anymore. Our boosters are here to raise those funds and make sure that they are there.”
According to Reeves, the average cost for a student to play one sport in the Edmonds School District is roughly $200. “And that doesn’t include money for sweatshirts, appropriate footwear and food while traveling,” she said.
This past February the Meadowdale High School Sports Booster Club hosted the Mardi Gras for Mavs Auction and Dinner, which drew 193 guests. At the end of the evening, the booster club had raised more than $40,000, which upped its two-year total to $70,000.
“There are 700 students who participate in 19 athletic programs here at Meadowdale High School,” said sports booster club member Christine Harris. “Unfortunately, the school district and ASB funds provide only a fraction of the funds necessary for these programs and activities. The rest must come from outside funding sources, such as the Sports Booster Club.”
Each of Meadowdale’s 19 athletic programs received portions of the funds that were raised, including student-athlete scholarships.
At Edmonds-Woodway High School, the booster club netted $62,000 at its annual auction and dinner held in March. For an entire year, the club brings in an average of about $100,000, according to Matt Douglas, E-W booster club president.
“Our sports programs don’t get too much from the district, so we have to raise enough money to keep everything going,” Douglas said. “We want our athletics to keep growing. We have found that a good athletics program can bring together a community.”
The E-W booster club takes a strong interest when it comes to local youth sports or high school feeder-programs.
“We want to get parents and kids engaged early as possible,” Douglas said. “We think it’s very important to start at an early age. And again, bringing players and parents together early will lead to developing a strong community. Also we’ve seen that a large numbers of kids who play sports go on to graduate. And really that is the most important thing for us and our community.”
On Aug. 13, the E-W booster club, along with the music booster club, raised more than $5,000 at a car wash fundraiser.
“Basically, boosters everywhere are there to help students and groups with financial needs,” Lynnwood’s Reeves said. “That is our main function to raise funds for those who can’t afford it. It’s non-profit and is run by parent and alumni volunteers. We are there to support all student endeavors whether they are sports related or not.”