In hard times, teams don't forget the less fortunate
Even when you're in a hole, sometimes you must dig deep.
As an economic crisis rattles through virtually every segment of society, it's struck a chord in the realm of high school sports.
And from an ugly mess beams some beautiful sounds.
At a time when charities are struggling to meet the demands of a struggling populace, high schools are stepping up to help fill a void. Whether it's raising food, money and awareness, or honoring those serving our country, an extended time of giving endures throughout the state.
The latest example occurs at tonight's cross-town boys basketball game between Naperville North and visiting Naperville Central.
The brainchild of Naperville North athletic administrative assistant Kathy Kavanagh, the school is hosting a food drive with proceeds benefiting a nearby food bank.
On the heels of last month's similar event at the girls' cross-town basketball game, Kavanagh encourages fans from both schools to come out to tonight's game and donate as many nonperishable food items as they can spare.
Kavanagh conceived the idea after coordinating similar food drives during the school's seasonal awards programs the last two years.
"I know there's a need out there in the community, now more than ever," she said. "This is something I really wanted to do."
She's not alone.
Everywhere you turn in the high school sporting world, folks are giving their time and money even though they may be suffering their own financial hardships.
This basketball season kicked off with the Hoops For Healing tournament to benefit the Edward Cancer Center in Naperville and its Camp Hope children's program.
Then came January's Free Throws for Heroes initiative presented by the IHSA. Players throughout the state solicited pledges based on their free-throw shooting, with the proceeds going to Illinois military families in need.
Benet's boys basketball team travels to St. Patrick tonight, where the school is hosting a Think Pink event to benefit the Breast Cancer Network of Strength. Similar breast cancer fundraisers are being organized elsewhere.
Defying the harsh economic climate, every school and every basketball team seems to be pitching in this season. These are just a few of the examples from this winter.
The giving began in the fall when the girls volleyball season featured the highly successful Volley for the Cure program. The IHSA recently announced its schools have raised about $200,000 in the fight against breast cancer.
Another worthy charitable campaign, the St. Baldrick's Foundation head-shaving challenge, is under way to raise money for children's cancer research. Expect to see many high schools involved in that as well.
So for all the horrible economic news hitting too close to home, it's wonderful to see communities and high schools rally around those in need.
Everyone's trying to dig just a little deeper.
"This year is so much worse for everyone," Kavanagh said. "In a way I think that's made people more aware of the ones who are struggling even more than they are."
kschmit@dailyherald.com