Christmas trees and wreaths to support local athletics
Give Options 2 Athletes 4 Life, also known as GOAL, will hold it annual Christmas tree and wreath sale at Wildflour Bakery beginning Friday, Nov. 28.
Funds raised from the sale will go to offset the costs for local athletes who want to participate in various sports, said Katey Collins, who founded GOAL with her husband Tim in 2013, when the couple saw how many kids weren’t participating in sports because of the cost.
“Unfortunately, the rising cost of athletics is a deterrent for some youth,” Katey said. “Sports are no longer offered in the schools at no charge, understandably so. Clubs and businesses that offer various athletic programs charge a price that most low-income families cannot afford, and many middle class families struggle to afford.”
According to a press release from GOAL, 30 percent of children were in need of free or reduced lunch in East Troy in 2013 and 16 percent of children were in need of free or reduced lunch in Mukwonago last year. The poverty level for a family of four $23,850 is annually, or $1,987.50 monthly; 16.3 percent of children were living in poverty in Walworth County (2008-12).
Families struggling to make ends meet on low-income wages seldom have money for organized sports fees. Katey said GOAL hopes to raise enough funds to donate directly to local sports groups.
She also said getting kids involved with sports at an early age and keeping them in sporting programs will help fight the obesity problem.
A 2012 study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows the rate of obesity among children ages two to four was 14.94 percent during the years 2003 to 2010. The Annie E, Casey Foundation, 2007 Kids Count data, shows 47 percent of children ages 5-17 were not exercising regularly in Wisconsin.
Katey said her years as an athlete, coach and social worker, showed her when children have a positive outlet, whether that is music, arts, sports, etc., they are more likely to have positive results in life.
“Sports teams often serve as extended families,” she said.
For those with troubled homes, this network can lead to life-long habits and values, such as:
• increased self-esteem;
• a sense of belonging;
• decreased likeliness to be involved with drugs, alcohol or other dangerous behaviors;
• strong work ethic and sense of commitment to the community; and
• decreased risk of depression and other mental health issues.
“Healthy kids ultimately are a cost savings to the community,” Katey said. “Consider this, the cost of residential treatment for a juvenile is over $300 per day. The average cost for inpatient alcohol rehabilitation is about $7,000 per month according to the National Substance Abuse Treatment Services Survey.”
Christmas tree/wreath sale
The GOAL of East Troy Christmas tree and wreath sale begins Friday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Wildflour Bakery, 2463 Highway ES (across from Martin’s Hardware) in East Troy.
The sale then runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 29 until Dec. 21.
The trees are fresh cut from a farm in Mosinee and the wreaths are made by Works of Mercy, a non-profit organization that serves individuals with disabilities in the Milwaukee area.
Delivery is available upon request.
Sale sponsors include Teronomy Builders, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Gus’s Drive In and Swift Print. Martin’s Hardware-Rental & Pet also provided marketing assistance.
GOAL of East Troy Inc. board of directors include: Erika Larson, Michele Reyes, Tammy Cherek, Rocco Perugini, Charlie Kutschenreuter, M.E. Dodge and Katey Collins.
For more information, call (262) 749-8687 or email goalofeasttroy@gmail.com.
