Winter Rivalry Week brings anticipation, competition and now a way to give back to the community.
Key Club is sponsoring a plush pile up during the boys basketball game Saturday, Jan. 10. Students and community members are asked to bring new stuffed animals to the game to throw on the court between the first and second quarters of the varsity game. All new stuffed animals will be donated to the local police departments.
“I saw a hockey game that recently did this and one time my husband was in a car accident,” Key Club adviser Elizabeth Yoney said. “Grayson (her son) was with him and an officer gave him a stuffed reindeer, so we talked to Officer Ryan and he said he does that too. We (Key Club) like to do different projects that help in the community and we thought it was a good way to incorporate both schools for this week.”
Officers keep new stuffed animals in their patrol cars to help comfort those who have gone through a traumatic experience, while also helping to build relationships with community members.
“It could be the worst day of their life, and something that you do for them as little as providing a stuffed animal to a loved one, that may completely alter the course of their life in terms of how they view law enforcement,” School Resource Officer Ryan Bargerstock said.
Key Club is the high school Kiwanis group, which focuses on performing acts of services in their communities. When looking for a January service project, Rivalry Week served as the perfect opportunity.
“This week has such intense emotions behind it, so inviting South to participate in this project not only benefits the city, but also adds a little excitement and unity,” Key Club President Lauren Flanagan said.
Bargerstock stressed the importance of the plushies being new but any used stuffed animals that are donated will be sorted out and donated to local programs and shelters like the Latrobe Street Mission.
“I would strongly encourage anyone who even thinks about it to be motivated to try and donate at least something,” Bargerstock said. “It goes a long way and it’s just nice to see when kids get involved in this stuff.”
