Kidsport has received a boost thanks to a local fundraiser.
Lakeland College student Michael Wirachowsky organized a jersey raffle for two signed high school jerseys at the football game between the Comp Barons and the Holy Rosary Raiders on Thursday, October 8, raising $832 in 2 hours.
Wirachowsky says his goal wasn’t focused on the money.
“My number one goal was creating awareness,” he said. “We definitely created a lot of open eyes in the stands. There was a big crowd there, and we had a big yellow tent with ‘Kidsport’ on it, and I know the announcer gave us quite a few shoutouts, so I know a lot of people really clued in to Kidsport and that’s big. If we can raise awareness while raising a little bit of money too, that’s definitely a big bonus.”
Kidsport is a charity that provides funding for less fortunate families to afford organized sports for their children. Wirachosky  says it’s a cause that’s close to his heart.
“It kind of hits home with me,” he said. “When I was growing up, my mom didn’t always have the most money. Sports has definitely played a big role in my life, and she had to work maybe 2 to 3 jobs at a time just to put me through sports, and I feel like if we took a little bit of funding through Kidsport it would’ve made it a lot easier on my mom. If we can help a child get into playing sports at a young age, when maybe his parents can’t afford it, it’s definitely something worth doing.”
The Raiders won the game 32-12, and raised the most money for the charity.