Collecting For A Cause
KARNS CITY — Unable to join each other on the field last spring, members of Karns City's softball team have come together for another cause.
And a very worthy one at that.
The program is currently collecting toys that will be donated to a local Toys for Tots chapter.
“With COVID-19 taking away our season, I was thinking how can we keep the team together,” said KC coach Mike Stitt. “In mid-October, I told the girls I had an exciting project that they could take part in this fall and asked, 'Who's in?'
“I specifically didn't tell them at the start exactly what it was,” added Stitt. “As a coach, you want to see leadership and for someone to step up and commit to helping when they're not sure what it is, that's huge.”
Five players volunteered, including Zoe King, Sarah Patton, Garrah Milochik, Megan Whitmire and Maura Patton.
“I had no idea what he had in mind, but he said it would be exciting, so I figured, 'Why not?'”, said Whitmire. “When he told us what it was, I thought it was a really good idea.”
The original five got their teammates involved and the goal is to fill a 10-seat school van with toys by Dec. 13.
“We're looking into the Toys for Tots in Butler or Kittanning, or even for kids in the Karns City area,” Stitt said. “We want to keep it local, that's very important.”
Boxes have been placed at various locations around Karns City High School where donations can be left. Softball players will also be accepting donations through a drop-off mode outside the high school from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13.
“People can also get a hold of a team member or visit the Lady Gremlin Softball Facebook page to find out how to get the donations to us,” said Stitt. “If people want to donate a toy, we will make every effort to get it from them.
“After receiving the toys, we will quarantine them until we deliver them. We want to make sure it's all as safe as possible.”
Stitt is pleased to see his players embrace such a worthwhile cause.
“I facilitated things, but the girls have taken it and run with it,” he said. “They did all the planning.”
“I'm excited to give to kids who haven't had that great of a year,” said Milochik. “It's a chance for us to give back to the community.”
T-Shirts are also being sold for $15 through Monday.
Proceeds will be used to buy gift cards from local grocery stores that will be given to families in need.
The shirts promote KC's softball program on the front and include a quote from actor and director Kevin Heath on the back that reads: “Wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference.”
