HHS Boy Soccer Community Service Opportunity

From HHS Boys Soccer Head Coach Rob Grabill regarding Crop Walk 2007 on Sunday October 7 in Lebanon

Dear Parents and Players -

I have invited all members of the Hanover High boys soccer teams to participate in a public service opportunity to raise money for the CROP hunger walk. Since the late 60s, CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) walks have raised millions of dollars to fight hunger globally and locally. Last year more than 20 members of the varsity and junior varsity teams helped the Upper Valley CROP walkers raises more than $16,000. Up to a quarter of this money went to local agencies such as LISTEN.

CROP Walk volunteers receive pledge envelopes, and are asked to solicit pledges and donations from as many donors as possible prior to the event. They then participate in a three-mile walk in and around downtown Lebanon on Sunday afternoon, and join afterwards for refreshments and celebration. Despite the pouring rain last year (which helped us feel very noble) the team had a great time, and as a group raised neaqrly $3,000 a significant part of the total. Our goal this year is to double both our participation and our donation. With the help of all four teams, we can easily do this.

This is totally a voluntary activity. No player should feel any pressure to participate. We recognize that the time commitment of the season makes time off on weekends a valuable commodity. On the other hand, this busy schedule also limits us from participating in other community service activities, such as Youth in Action, and this is a great way to show that we care about more than soccer. We have always felt that being aware of our responsibility to the community and the world as a whole is a vital part of the HHS experience.

We have begun distributing pledge packets to players who volunteer, and wwelcome parents and family members to join us in this endeavor. If you have questions or need further information, please feel free to contact me.

- Rob Grabill