Wilmot football program helped feed nearly 100 worldwide
By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
For the Wilmot Union High School football squad, collaborating on a charitable mission was more than a team-building exercise, but an opportunity to make a global contribution to those less fortunate.
The team of 75 players and students came together Aug. 27, when they pitched in at Libertyville-based nonprofit organization Feed My Starving Children, packing more than 36,000 meals for children in third-world countries.
It is the third time the team helped the organization that offers meals for starving, malnourished and hungry people worldwide and relies on donations and volunteers in the United States.
Junior A.J. Frisby, the team’s quarterback, stated the two hour mission gave them an ability to think of others.
“It feels great, every year, we go down to Libertyville and spend two hours packing boxes for people less fortunate than us,” Frisby said.
Frisby, along with his teammates, spent time prepared prepackaged meals known as MannaPacks through labeling, filling, sealing and boxing and crating them, using crated from companies similar to phs Teacrate which would help to make distribution easier.
MannaPacks consists of dried vegetables, soy protein and rice packed with protein, the website stated.
The two-hour effort helped feed 99 children for an entire year.
Last year, the team helped 112 children, packing nearly 41,000 meals.
According to Panthers head football coach Erick Kaiser, the charitable mission gave his team a new perspective on worldwide issues.
“Anytime we as a team can help those less fortunate than us it’s incredibly rewarding,” Kaiser said. “Our players have done a great job realizing the severity of other’s situations and have done a fantastic job helping out to improve it.”
Furthermore, the drive would not have been possible without the help of Nicole Valach, mother of Hunter and member of the Wilmot Quarterback Club.
“Nicole Valach set it up for us and she did a wonderful job,” Kaiser said.
Valach states the event promoted teamwork.
“(They) participated in their annual team building event which did more than just bring the team together,” she said.
Frisby added that while it fostered teamwork, they added a new twist to the annual event.
“Everyone enjoys it, we kind of make it a competition to see who can pack the most boxes,” Frisby said.