If you’re one of those people living in the dark about the Mount Vernon sports program, and you’re ignoring the reality that it might actually not compete this season, let the photo above be your awakening.
I’ll admit, initially I couldn’t imagine Mount Vernon would actually have its sports eliminated after the district cut athletics from of the budget this spring. But today it finally hit me. Standing near the off-ramp of the Cross County Parkway in Fleetwood and watching the players approach hundreds of cars and asking for donations really opened my eyes.
Mount Vernon had all of its athletes, not just basketball, deployed around the city to collect donations the last two days. In all, they raised $18,000, which is a nice pull. But it’s only a fraction of the $950,000 the district needs to have sports this school year; they also need $300,000 by Aug. 10 to have fall sports.
Today’s event was part of the T.E.A.M. Mount Vernon “Save Our Sports” initiative, which was launched by Mayor Clinton Young. There was support today from the city’s fire department, thanks to wrestling coach Craig Ramsey, who is a fireman.
Most motorists I saw today contributed a few bucks. Some more. A few drove by and acted like they didn’t see a smiling and uniformed 6-foot-5 Odayne Clarke waving at them. I understand how things are with the economy (especially now that I’m a tax-paying homeowner). Fortunately the players did, too. Overall there was a positive vibe to the whole thing, and there’s still a good sense of confidence the money will be raised.
“We’re Mount Vernon,” Knights sophomore Jabarie Hinds said. “We don’t get beaten easily.”
In some ways, I think this is going to make Mount Vernon sports teams better this season. Assuming there are sports, the only motivation an athlete would need is to think back to today when it was nearly 100 degrees and they were standing on the side of the road asking for change. Andre Gaynor, a football and basketball player, talked about “appreciating” what he has. That’s a great value for these kids to learn. It’s just unfortunate this is how they had to learn it.
Every little bit counts for the Mount Vernon program. If you’re able to donate, please send checks to:
Mount Vernon Educational Foundation Inc.
P.O. Box 476
Fleetwood Station, Mt. Vernon, N.Y. 10552
(please write “sports” in the memo section of the check)
As far as fund-raisers go, here are some other events coming up to raise money:
“Ben Gordon Weekend”
August 14: Concert outside City Hall Plaza
August 15: Ben’s Bowling Bash at Homefield Bowl in Yonkers
August 16: Ben Gordon Family Day at Hartley Park
For information on all the events, email: info@kensworthconsulting.com
20 Comments
Pull some strings
You can count on me for a Donation! And I am sure that if you can get that picture above some National Media attention , a quick story on the News it wont be a problem to Raise the rest of the Cash for Mount Vernon
Quickly
Francos,
I hope your right. I have been fund rasing the past couple of years for various high school sports programs.. Problem is,, the amont that has come in the past two years has droped. The economey stinks, health benefits are the pits and the taxes keep going up and up every year. People tend to hold on to the money now
More Than Save Our Sports The issue is more than Mount Vernon saving sports teams – it is about saving kids. For some kids, sports keeps them in high school to graduate; for others, sports keep them off the streets and out of trouble or out of danger; and for some others, sports represents an opportunity to go to college that might not otherwise exist. Kevin’s blog has a large and loyal following. I encourage all readers to send something, no matter how small, to help the effort to save sports in Mount Vernon. I will send a check today.
Harvey,
I agree with everything you say. But, I think it’s the voters job to pass it through. My school taxes have gone up over 59 percent the past five or six years. I”m at the point where I may need to move out of a town I have lived my whole life. I wish I had a few extra bucks to send them… But I don’t.. I do encourgae others to send if they can.
The Donald,
Mt Vernon has been in trouble for a long time. This is a train that was off the track, and now it has come to a crashing halt. Almost every block in some areas has at least one house that someone has walked away from. I know the economy is a national problem, but cities like Mt Vernon are being hit extra hard.
I understand how tapped out people are, but it is up to the tax payers to make sure that their hard earned dollars are being spent wisely.
Remember, one half of the residents in Mt Vernon send their kids to private schools. Add the others that do not have school aged children, and you have a hugh amount of people who don’t feel like paying any school taxes. Now try to seel them a tax hike. Good luck! However, since every home owner pays school taxes regardless of their circumstances, then everyone should have been watching the bank. When The board could not raise taxes, they had to make cuts. The high level administrators kept their jobs, and the kids were left high and dry.
How about asking the new superintendent for a donation. He was just awarded with a 65,000 plus raise. Mount vernon will forever be the money mismanagement captial of the world. Could probably save millions more if people stopped embezeling money. Or if all the “Perks” were stopped. Does the board of education really need a full course meal evey time they meet?? Disgusting. Mount vernon city schools need to stop putting the onous on others, and start looking at themselves in the mirror.
Ben’s Bowling Bash will also be a celebrity fundraiser. Ben has invited a number of his fellow NBA stars and other celebrities to join him for an evening of fun competition on the bowling lanes. There’s going to be music, food and an open bar as well as silent and live auctions. It will be an exciting evening.
Jayden,
Well put…. And your right.. The kids are the ones that suffer for the sins of others. It really is a shame. I hope things work out for The kids and they not only their sports programs, but all the extra programs .
As a Pok fan, I have been burnt by the countless losses to MV… However, they are quality guys and they do things the right way… I’d love to donate and try to get those around me to as well… Americans need to band together in times such as these…
this is the bottom line….mt. vernon is filled with very wealthy and affluential high school alumni & residents…i.e. ben gordon, denzel, puffy (mt st. michael – but from mvernon), pete rock & c.l. smooth, heavy d, al b. sure…..they need to step up to the plate and give back to the communities who i am sure helped them out when they were in need…period! if they do not then shame on them. mt vernon loves to pride themselves in these successful people, let’s just hope these celebrities have the same pride and help the mt. vernon high school / community. good luck!
Jordan Lessane and Vaughn Allen are playing for the Raising Champions aau team. Lance Stephenson is on this team, and it is coached by Lance Stephenson Sr. They are currently in Las Vegas at the Adidas Super 64 tournament. I heard that they were playing very well.
Here is a nice article on Sherrod Wright and the Mt Vernon mess.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high_school/2008/07/15/2008-07-15_sherrod_wright_shines_at_reebok_heads_ho.html
jayden
sorry, the rest of my post was cut off.
Jayden,
Do you have any other updates of local kids playing summer league ball in any of the big AAU tournaments. It would be interesting to hear who’s playing where and how they’re doing.
Hoops Fan,
I do not know where all the Westchester players are playing. I found a 2008 Westchester Hawks boxscore, and you will see some familiar names that are playing on that team.
http://www.gboahoops.com/results/boxscores/197-boxscores/257-gboa-east-boxscore-albany-city-rocks-62-westchester-hawks-53.html
Here are the current NY AAU team rankings.
1. Juice All-stars
Brooklyn (NY) 39-7
2. NY Gauchos
Bronx (NY) 39-12
3. New Heights 2009
Bronx (NY) 37-11
4. NY Panthers
Queens (NY) 32-8
5. City Rocks
Albany (NY) 28-11
6. Brooklyn Ballers
Rochester (NY) 20-8
7. L.I.Lightning-Kelly
W. Hempstead (NY) 14-7
8. NY Elite
Centereach (NY) 14-4
9. Westchester Hawks
Brewster (NY) 39-18
10. United Brooklyn
Brooklyn (NY) 5-3
I have been hearing rumors for some time about a potential scandal at Christ the King. This involves their coach Bob Oliva. I found an article about this. Bob Oliva is a well respected Coach, but “who Knows” who is telling the truth when such allegations are tosses around.
http://nychoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=830544
I think we all should support the Ben Gordon Weekend fundraising activities:
Ben’s Bowling Bash & Celebrity Fundraiser
Homefield Lanes, 938 Saw Mill River Road, Yonkers, NY
Friday, August 15 6pm – 11pm
A unique event comes to Westchester…
Join Ben and Mayor Clinton Young for an All-Star cast of NBA stars, celebrities and other luminaries for a night of fun and bowling. The Ben Gordon New Life Foundation and the City of Mount Vernon will donate 50% of net proceeds to Mayor Clinton I. Young’s ‘Save Our Sports’ initiative.
Event to include: Music /DJ, Silent Auction, Live Auction, Free Video Games, VIP Reception, Food, Open Bar, Refreshments, Wine Tasting and More…
You and five of your friends can purchase a lane for two games for: $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 or $10,000 per lane.
Lanes can be purchased by calling (914) 664-3000 or e-mailing: info@kensworthconsulting.com
If you just want to come and soak up the atmospher and not bowl, tickets are: $125/General admission or $250 & up which include a private pre-reception
Ben Gordon is accepting offers from teams in Europe.
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
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