Student-athletes at South Lakes High School returned to school this week to a host of new improvements and additions thanks to the ongoing "South Lakes Capital Improvement Fund." The community-wide fundraising drive started back on April 1, 2002, and since then the Reston school has upgraded athletic facilities for everything from football and basketball to cheerleading and softball. With a goal of $72,000, the campaign, after 16 months, has brought in $54,775. Pat Henthorn, the school’s activities director, says that while the drive is "ahead of schedule," there is still much work to be done much of which is centered on the school’s gymnasium. Of the $15,000 earmarked for the gym’s upgrading, only $3,700 has been raised so far. "That’s our big push right now," the activities director said.
THE CAMPAIGN has raised more than $50,000 through donations from parents, corporate sponsors, booster clubs and fundraisers.
"We don’t care, we’ll take big or small. We have taken donations from people who probably couldn’t afford to give anything who have given us 10 or 15 bucks and I appreciate that as much as the person who donated $1,000," Henthorn said. "Many have been anonymous donations from people who don’t want their name out there, but they just want to help. It all adds up."
Despite the economic downturn, Henthorn says she has been extremely impressed with the level of giving on part of the community. "Once folks see that you are committed to making changes, they really do step up and get on board. If we all get together and work on this then their kids will get to see it and use it while they are still here and they see that as a good thing."
Through funds collected thus far, South Lakes has added two much-needed industrial washers and dryers this past June, priced at $15,000, for their sports teams. The county paid for one unit and all of the installation costs, so that South Lakes only paid $5,500. With the help of an anonymous donor who gave $1,600 in July, the school finished improving its weight room at a cost of $4,000. Henthorn said she expects a new state-of-the-art $27,000 sound system, complete with speakers, wireless microphone and CD system, for the football stadium will be up and running on opening night. Henthorn added that the new sound system will benefit the soccer, lacrosse, track, band, cheer and football teams. Most recently, new floor and mats were delivered much to the delight of the cheerleading squad and the gymnastics team. Needed for safety, the $10,000 flooring system will have the added benefit of looking "first-class" for future meets, Henthorn said. "We worked our tails off this summer," Henthorn said. "And we continue to take it step by step."
THE ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR stressed that the capital campaign is beneficial to all the Seahawk sports programs and all donors can specify where their dollars are spent. "We are trying to spread the wealth so that all of our teams get a piece of the pie," she said, adding that a committee helped highlight the critical areas most in need of upgrading.
For more information on how to make a tax-deductible contribution to the South Lakes High School sports capital improvement campaign, contact Pat Henthorn at 703-715-4518.