Whether it be bake sales or online donations, North’s sports teams have been actively fundraising throughout the fall season.
At the beginning of the school year, captains from all varsity teams at North met with representatives from Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s office to discuss giving back to the community of Newton, according to athletic director Tom Giusti.
According to Giusti, teams have contributed in various ways to give back to the city of Newton.
“The charge was given from City Hall and the Mayor’s Office and our Center for Civil Engagement. We’re all partnering together trying to do things for our city. Whether it be raking leaves, or helping those in need of food by supplying them with food, that’s what we’re trying to do,” Giusti said.
“Newton Public Schools’ tax base and user fees pays for everything to run the team, so we really don’t need that extra money from fundraising,” Giusti said. He added that the funds the teams raise are used for additional team gear and supplies, meals, and community service.
According to senior Filippo Menozzi, a boy’s soccer captain, the team has used “Snap! Raise” as a means of fundraising. Snap! Raise is an app that allows teams and organizations to raise money online through donations from other people.
“We’ve raised close to $19,000, which is a significant amount. Some of the money has gone to buying more soccer balls or nets,” he said, adding that “On top of that, some of the money goes to a scholarship fund, which is used by colleges to help support people with lower incomes to afford college. Alternatively it’s used for people to play soccer that can’t afford it at the moment.”
The football team is also using “Snap! Raise,” but for a different purpose, according to senior Nick Busa, a team captain.
“We’re getting a few gifts for the program and one of them is black jerseys for the Thanksgiving game against Brookline, which are being funded via Snap! Raise,” Busa said.
The football team has also contributed to the food drive on Main Street, which is being organized by some of the fall teams.
The girls’ swim and dive team has held various fundraisers this season, including the Caps vs. Helmets event, according to senior Maia Alberts, a team captain.
“The swim team collaborated with varsity football, and we organized the meet, ticket sales, and bake sale. Through Caps vs. Helmets, we not only had fun, but we raised quite a bit of money for Newton Food Pantry and raised awareness about food insecurity,” she said.
Likewise, the swim team raised over $1,000 by doing a car wash at the start of the year, according to Alberts. She said that the team has spent the money on buying team apparel, and organizing dinners.
Girls’ field hockey did landscaping work at the Newton Cemetery to support the community, according to senior Emma McKee, a captain.
“All three field hockey teams went to the Newton Cemetery in October and helped plant bulbs that stay underground for the winter and will bloom in the spring and we tore out flowers in front of people’s graves that were annual flowers,” she said.
Additionally, McKee said that some of the players volunteered at a field hockey clinic for young girls earlier this fall.
Giusti emphasized the significance of helping the community, and hopes that the winter teams partake in the same efforts.
“In the winter we’ll regroup and try to refocus so that we can get some fundraising ideas going. Our big goal is to give back to the community, whatever that may be,” he said.