PHS Pirate Boosters Continue Fundraising Efforts for Ryan Kissane
On the morning of Thursday, November 21, Palatine High School student Ryan Kissane was running with some of his cross country teammates when he was hit and seriously injured by a car. He was taken to Lutheran General Hospital where he was treated for several days. By that same afternoon, members of the PHS Pirate Booster Club were already in action, planning a fundraising event to help with the family's medical bills. With an astounding amount of support from members of the boosters, and a very generous donation from Waist Up, hundreds of t-shirts were created overnight and then sold at the Palatine High School Boys Basketball Red-White Scrimmage game on Friday, November 22. The shirts have a logo with Pirate Pete, the school's mascot, and the words Once a Pirate, Always Family along with the hashtag #runningwithryan. The PHS varsity poms also made a donation, which covered a large portion of an additional shirt purchase.
The PHS Pirate Boosters would like to encourage all those who have already purchased shirts to wear them to the PHS basketball home opener on Friday, December 5, when both the girls and boys basketball teams are scheduled to host the Fremd Vikings. The girls' Varsity game is scheduled for 6:00pm, followed by the boys' Varsity game at 7:30pm. Additional shirts have been ordered for that evening and will be available for purchase at the game. The suggested minimum donation is $10 per shirt. Donations can also be made online through the boosters' website, www.phspirateboosters.com, and direct donations can be made at the school on December 5th as well.
Ryan Kissane and members of both his immediate family and his extended family will be in attendance at the school on December 5; this will be his first visit back to Palatine High School since the accident. According to Ryan's parents, Patrick and Eileen Kissane, "We're overwhelmed by all who have shown their love and support, from the guys who were running with him the morning of the accident, to the boys' and girls' cross country teams, to old and new friends, to the entire PHS community, and everyone who is #runningwithryan! You've touched us and helped Ryan to heal. You are our heroes!" And in another message to the boosters, following the first round of t-shirt sales, Eileen Kissane sent the following message, "We know that Ryan's injuries will heal, but his life is changed forever, having gained an even greater understanding of what it means to be part of a loving community! At the end of the day many people were impacted by this accident and our hope is that all can find comfort in this show of support, knowing they are part of something uniquely special!"
PHS Booster Club President, Alissa DePue, started the fundraiser ball rolling when she reached out to the booster board, who responded positively and quickly, taking the action required to make this fundraising idea a reality. DePue is "looking forward to seeing Ryan and his family. It will be wonderful to witness Ryan observe in person the outpouring of support our PHS community has displayed."
To make a donation to the #runningwithryan fundraiser, visit www.phspirateboosters.com. For more information, contact Alissa DePue at president@phspirateboosters.com.
The Palatine High School Pirate Booster Club exists to support and enrich the high school experience for children while they attend Palatine High School.