Sewanee Community Chest : Youth Sports

The 2013-14 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is underway. The power of the people helping people makes a difference in the life of the community. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal is $108,000. To date, 62 percent of the goal has been reached.

For the next few weeks, the Sewanee Mountain Messenger will focus on some of the organizations supported by the Community Chest. This week we shine the spotlight on youth sports.

The TigerSharks swim team is a local club that provides an organized athletic experience for children ages 4-18 in the spring and summer, develops strong swimmers, builds self-esteem and encourages youth of all ages to work together as a team. The TigerSharks contribute significantly to a safer community by providing excellent swim instruction to children of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay the registration fee. Approximately 90 local youth participated in the swim program last year.

The TigerSharks swim team is requesting $500 to help support scholarship swimmers. The TigerSharks also raise funds through bake sales, T-shirt fund-raisers and parent donations in order to break even. Registration fees of $160 per child are paid directly to the University of the South to cover pool use, insurance and stipends for the coaches. Expenses last year totaled $16,500 which includes 10 scholarships awarded.

Sewanee Little League is affiliated with Little League Baseball, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to promote, develop, supervise and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League Baseball and Softball.” 

The Sewanee Little League is requesting $2,500 from the Community Chest to update the baseball equipment. They are also requesting help with field maintenance and to repair the bathroom water leaks. The Sewanee Little League does receive additional funds through registration fees and uniform and banner sponsors. Expenses last year totaled $7,000, the biggest of which was for mandatory Little League dues and insurance.

The goal of the Sewanee Community Chest is to help citizens by funding the community. Through Community Chest funding, 28 local organizations help those caught in the cycle of poverty, improve lives through outreach and community initiatives and provide support for underprivileged children with a variety of programs. 

The Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. Send your donation to Sewanee Community Chest, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. For more information, or to make a donation through PayPal, contact <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com> or go to <www.sewaneecivic.wordpress.com>.

Youth Soccer Deadline Aug. 10

Sewanee Youth Soccer has merged with the Franklin County Soccer Association. To play soccer this fall, children must sign-up with the Franklin County Soccer Association by Saturday, Aug. 10. Indicate you wish to play on a Sewanee team by writing “Sewanee” on the registration form. The registration fee is $55 per child.

Registration forms with instructions can be picked up at the Blue Chair in Sewanee, or register online at <www.fcsoccer.org>. 

Children in the under-6 and under-8 age groups will both practice and play in Sewanee. 

Children in the under-10 and under-12 divisions will practice in Sewanee and play most games in Winchester. 

There is no need for Sewanee players to attend the evaluation mentioned on the flyer. Coaches and other volunteers are needed. 

For more information, email Ty Burnette at <burnette@blomand.net>.

Civic Association Honors Helen Bailey and Sewanee Youth Soccer / New Award Given to Elizabeth Clark Duncan

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

 In keeping with a time-honored tradition stretching back 30 years, the highlight of the April 17 Sewanee Civic Association meeting was presentation of the Community Service Award. Choosing to recognize both an individual and an organization in 2013, the Civic Association named Helen Bailey and Sewanee Youth Soccer as the award recipients.

Kathleen O’Donohue, who nominated Bailey, described her as a behind-the-scenes presence, “humble and quietly effective.” As a Sewanee Elementary School (SES) teacher from the mid-1970s to 1994, Bailey’s “gentle, caring discipline” inspired students to rise to her high expectations. After retiring, Bailey became an avid community volunteer, giving generously of her time to SES, the Community Action Committee, Folks at Home, Emerald-Hodgson Hospital Auxiliary, Otey Parish and Thurmond Memorial Library, stepping forward to do whatever needed done. Bailey was also celebrated for her habit of walking to wherever she goes in the community.

 Sewanee Youth Soccer (SYS) began in 1988, establishing affiliation with the American Youth Soccer Organization in 1994. SYS offers children from the Mountain an opportunity to play soccer in an environment of balanced teams, positive coaching and equal participation, guided by a philosophy of  “everyone plays.” 

Yearly, more than 30 volunteers come together to make SYS possible. Community members, aided by University and St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School students, maintain and line the fields, coach, referee and run the concession stand, attending to the details that makes SYS a special place for Mountain children. 

Volunteers Jen Bachman and Ty Burnette accepted the award on behalf of SYS. Burnette also praised Kiki Beavers, who presented the award, saying, “Without Kiki, SYS wouldn’t have happened.”

Civic Association president Theresa Shackelford announced a new award to recognize a Civic Association member for their contributions to the organization. 

The first Sewanee Civic Association Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Elizabeth Clark Duncan. Past president Duncan continues to serve on the board and as manager of Sewanee Classifieds email list. Shackelford credited Duncan with “rejuvenation” of the organization.

Plaques listing the Community Service Award recipients and the Lifetime Achievement Award recipients will be displayed in the Sewanee Community Center.

In the business portion of the meeting the membership approved the budget for fiscal year 2013–14. Classified subscriptions, dues and meals support the anticipated expenses that include the fee for the Classifieds host Group Spaces, reinstating tax-exempt status and liability insurance for the board, officers and members.

The membership also approved the slate of officers for the coming year: Susan Holmes, president; Kiki Beavers, vice-president; Kim Seavey, secretary; Lisa Rung, treasurer; and Lynn Stubblefield, member at large.

Parks committee chair Stephen Burnett reported that Memorandum of Understanding agreements had been signed with the University and the dog park board to formalize Civic Association oversight of the dog park. Burnett said the parks committee is also overseeing repair of the Little League scoreboard, so games can be held there. 

The Civic Association does not meet during the summer; the next meeting will be in September.

Community Chest Spotlight: Youth Sports

The 2012–13 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is underway. The power of the people helping people makes a difference in the life of the community. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal is $90,000.

For the next few weeks, the Messenger will focus on some of the organizations supported by the Community Chest. This week we shine the spotlight on the local youth sports’ organizations.

The TigerSharks swim team is a local club that provides an organized athletic experience for children ages 4-18 in the spring and summer, develops strong swimmers, builds self-esteem and encourages youth of all ages to work together as a team. The team is requesting $500 in funds to help support scholarship swimmers. The TigerSharks also raise funds through bake sales, T-shirt fund-raisers and parent donations in order to break even. Expenses last year totaled $16,000.

Sewanee Little League is affiliated with Little League Baseball, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to promote, develop, supervise and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League Baseball and Softball.” The Sewanee Little League is requesting $1,000 in funds from the Community Chest to purchase equipment and to help pay for umpires. The group receives funds through registration fees, and uniform and banner sponsors. Expenses last year totaled $8,800.

Sewanee Youth Soccer (SYS) is the local soccer organization affiliated with the American Youth Soccer Association. SYS offers children from the Mountain the opportunity to play soccer in an environment of balanced teams, positive coaching and equal participation. SYS is requesting $850 in funds from the Community Chest to help with scholarships for underprivileged children to join, and for field and equipment purchases and tournament expenses. SYS receives funds through registration fees. Expenses last year totaled $7,800.

The goal of the Sewanee Community Chest is to help citizens by funding the community. The Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. Send your donation to Sewanee Community Chest, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. For more information, or to make a donation through PayPal, contact <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com>.

[Editor’s Note: The Sewanee Mountain Messenger was founded in part by the Sewanee Civic Association; however, the Messenger no longer requests Community Chest funding.]

Sewanee United at AYSO Tournament

Sewanee United at the Area 5 AYSO tournament on Nov. 3 only allowed one goal during 180 minutes of regulation soccer. Goalie Larson Heitzenrater (far right) stopped this attempt. Photo by Paul Klekotta

Sewanee Green Machine Undefeated

The Sewanee Green Machine U10 soccer team just completed an undefeated season. Coach Eric Hartman and his team went 7-0. Team members included Julian Bardi, Gus Croom, Mac Croom, Colin DeLorme, Harrison Hartman, Kalem Knight, Thomas Stapleton, Eli Wilson and McKeon Whitsett. Photo by Al Bardi