San Dieguito Academy Boys Lacrosse Team Raises Over $11,000 for Food Insecurity
The San Dieguito Academy High School boys lacrosse teams recently conducted an impactful fundraiser known as “Pull-Up For Hunger” on March 24. This unique, exercise-centered event encouraged players and their families to participate actively in raising funds to support those facing food insecurity in the community.
Record-Breaking Fundraising Efforts
With the generous support of donors, the event successfully raised a total of $11,461, equating to approximately 22,923 meals for those in need within San Diego County. This impressive total marked a significant increase compared to the previous year, which saw $5,000 raised, and included collaboration with the Mustang girls lacrosse team for the second time.
Building a Culture of Giving
The SDA lacrosse program has embraced philanthropy as a core value. “Instead of just coaching lacrosse, we try to do stuff like this, to make sure these kids are learning more than just how to throw and catch a lacrosse ball,” explained Vinnie Whibbs, the junior varsity lacrosse coach. He focused on raising awareness about the impact of food insecurity, which affects approximately 44.2 million Americans, including 13 million children, with one in six children in San Diego going to bed hungry.
Engaging Student Participation
Whibbs initiated the Pull-Up For Hunger concept after observing a pull-up bar at the field, motivated by his military background in physical training. “Pull-ups are just flat out really hard… There’s no place to hide, you can either do them or you can’t,” he stated. The first event, held at the end of last season, was met with enthusiasm, prompting the decision to make it a mid-season practice this year.
Event Highlights
This year’s event was a collaborative affair, with participants from both the boys’ and girls’ teams engaging in pull-ups or arm-hangs to raise funds. The energetic atmosphere was enhanced by music and supportive corporate sponsors including local businesses such as Sandiola and Coastal Cardiovascular Care.
Local senior Jordan Rausa led the way with the most pull-ups, achieving a remarkable 22. On the girls’ side, Sierra Melamed distinguished herself with the longest bent-arm hang at 68 seconds. As for Whibbs, he completed 25 pull-ups but was outdone in the parent category by former Navy Seal Guy McDermott, who performed 28.
Future Aspirations
Encouraged by this year’s success, Whibbs envisions expanding the Pull-Up for Hunger initiative by inviting other spring sports teams or even neighboring schools to participate. “We hope to top the funds raised every year and feed more people,” he remarked.
Volunteering and Community Service
A few days post-event, on March 27, the boys lacrosse team contributed directly to the San Diego Food Bank by packing food boxes at their warehouse in Miramar. Casey Castillo, CEO of the Food Bank, expressed gratitude for the team’s efforts, stating: “It’s always inspiring to see young leaders step up to serve their community.”
Conclusion
The Pull-Up For Hunger event not only showcased the athletic talents of the players but also illustrated the power of community engagement to combat food insecurity. This initiative, rooted in a culture of giving, leaves a lasting impact on the participants and the broader San Diego community.
