We are blown away by the generosity of Coach Chris Fox and his St. Anastasia “St. Annie’s” Elementary School Boys basketball team for their overwhelming support!
The team raised over $5,000 to purchase basketball equipment and school supplies for their partner school, St. Barnabas, IMS in Southwest Philly. On top of that, the boys shopped for and delivered these items to the school themselves. The balance of the money raised, $4,265.88, was presented to IMS during halftime at one of the games. This money will be used to support our scholarship program at St. Barnabas.
Details of the story, in the words of Coach Fox, are included below.
It started out as a small act of kindness
“This year, during our Christmas tournament, we met a team from St. Barnabas in Southwest Philadelphia, whose program was recently rejuvenated by a former West Catholic and University of Penn basketball player. They have the coach, they have the players, but were lacking in resources. Some West Catholic alums, including Bill McDevitt from St. Annie’s, got them off the ground with uniforms. Our team goal was to raise enough money to ensure that St. Barnabas had practice and game basketballs, water bottles, scorebooks, practice pinnies, coach’s whiteboards, ball bags, etc. If we had any money left over, we would check with the school regarding general needs for school supplies, and ultimately contribute any surplus to the general scholarship fund of the school.”
St. Annie’s scores big for St. Barney’s
“The vehicle for raising this money was to ask players to secure pledges for each point scored in our upcoming pair of weekend games. I remembered collecting pledges like these for a March of Dimes free throw shooting contest when I was their age. For example, if we score 60 points in our two games, and you pledged a dollar a point, we would ask you to donate $60.”
Overwhelming generosity pours in from the community and beyond
“Not surprisingly parents and grandparents, and aunts and uncles came through with pledges. What we didn’t anticipate was that Facebook posts from player parents would be shared, and shared and shared, and shared. Donations are starting to come in from friends, friends of friends, St. Barnabas alumni, and, at times, perfect strangers.”
Thank you so much to this remarkable team and to the entire St. Annie’s community for your generosity and support!
More about St. Anastasia Maroon
St. Anastasia Maroon is a Region 25 JVB Boys Basketball Team. Over the course of the past year and a half, they’ve compiled a 25-5 record on the court. The only thing they take more seriously than their level of play, is their commitment to community service. “We are players, coaches, parents, friends and family. We are MAROON NATION.” Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/stanniescyo.