The Benet sophomore and varsity
football teams held the second annual Benet Football Field Day at Southeast
School just west of Benet’s campus on Friday, July 12. The program once again hosted over 100
special education students from SASED, the School Association for Special
Education of DuPage County, which is an organization that oversees academic
activities for special needs children in 18 school districts in DuPage County. And
this year’s design added to the successes of the 2012 inaugural Field Day.
Ninety Benet football players and 45
Benet parents directed the kids in various activities including a “Bounce Castle,”
squirt gun and water balloon stations, face painting, bean bag toss, and
karaoke among others. And finally
everyone enjoyed the cooling refreshments from the “Halftime” station.
Mrs. Mary Runger, a Benet football
mom who managed both last and this year’s program, noted the contributions of
private sponsors and Benet parents in their support of the various station
activities and materials. She further
discussed some changes at this year’s event.
First, because so many players enjoyed the initial program, parent
volunteer recruitment doubled to 45 this year; second, a new and entertaining “Bubble-Palooza”
station was added; and third, the team practiced early Friday morning and
enjoyed breakfast before traveling to Southeast School. She stated, “I think
it’s an effort you cannot duplicate on the practice field, but they are helping
these children experience something new with their special needs. It’s special
because these kids don’t have the opportunity to have all of this attention and
activity, and they love it with all their hearts. Their teachers have told me that it’s the best
day of the summer camp, and they were looking forward to it. Also, the team players learn that in giving
you receive.” This hopefully translates
to successes both on and off the field.
Last year
this reporter spoke with the SASED program director of multi-needs children,
Mr. Rich Laren. He indicated that he was
excited by the enthusiasm and genuine kindness displayed by the Benet football
players. He stated that he hoped the
program could continue as an annual opportunity for the children to enjoy some time
in a different setting from their usual activities. This goal has been obviously achieved thanks
in part to the players, the parents, and the Benet coaching staff.
Varsity
coach Pat New noted that the football program had participated in the Feed My
Starving Children program for several years and that, “I wanted to continue
doing a community service project during the summer....” When reviewing the Benet Field Day, he
continued, “It’s a really nice way for our guys to hang out, have some fun, and
also to serve the community.”
One of the
players, senior linebacker and tight end Nick Surges reiterated Coach New’s
thoughts on the importance of a community service project for the football
program. He added, “[The program] is
great, to come out here, to be able to give back to these kids, it’s really special! It’s an unforgettable day, and it’s one of
the big parts of our season. I really
enjoy this day, and we really enjoy having fun with these kids.”
With the
weather contributing an absolutely beautiful, sunny day, the fun-filled morning
ended with Benet’s football team having enjoyed this now annual activity. When community service is designed with the
goal of social interaction with such great children, the caring and benevolent
volunteers have an opportunity to solidify camaraderie with their
teammates. Next year’s program, the
third annual Benet Football Field Days, will undoubtedly enhance the
achievements of the first two unforgettable July Friday mornings.
