The Kent Island Storm U13 Lacrosse Team is giving back to the community by volunteering their time and muscle to the Living Water Food Bank located on Kent Island. “Our kids are privileged to be able to volunteer in the community.” said Assistant Coach Johnny Giuffreda. “They are healthy and able to give back, and that is a privilege.”
The Living Water Food Bank feeds over 230 families each week and is operated by Living Water Lutheran Church.
When a donation of 18,000 pounds of food needed to be unloaded off a truck (donated by East of the Bay Trucking Company) and organized in the food bank, 18 teammates arrived after school ready to get to work. “The kids were piling out of cars, and running over to the truck. They were such eager young men – they wanted to be there!” said Pastor Mark, Pastor of Living Water Lutheran Church.
“Exposing the team to people who dedicate their lives to volunteering is invaluable. It really teaches the boys that being part of a team extends beyond the fields.” said Head Coach Keith Thomas. “They begin to understand the two-way interaction of the team and the community, and to appreciate the community for the monetary gifts given in the form of sponsorships and fundraising.”
This season, The Storm Team participated in six lacrosse tournaments – playing in 34 total games. These tournaments are costly and require financial help from sponsors and fundraisers. Singleton Electric Company sponsored one of the six tournaments, while guest bartending events held at R’s Americantina and a carwash at the Century 21 facility, had the team well on its way to reaching its financial goals.
Local organizations that assisted in financing our season included Delmarva Power, VFW Post No. 7464, Classic Hair Design, The Atlantic Title Group, Bay Carpets Flooring America, PNC Bank, ASI photos and Boone Remodeling. Team parents brought in out-of-town sponsors such as Minuteman Press of Glen Burnie, Steele Appraising, Roof Center Brentwood Branch and the Prince George’s County Elk’s Lodge No. 1887. “We are extremely grateful for these businesses and organizations who donated money for our boys to be able to play competitive lacrosse. It is great to see our kids giving back to the community that supported them,” said one parent.
The Kent Island Storm team’s overall record last season was 27-6-1, against some strong programs from Upstate New York down through South Carolina and from as far West as California. They won their bracket in each tournament and did well in each playoff – taking third overall in one tournament, second overall in three others and winning the LAX Splash tournament which included 32 teams.
The Storm’s next tournament season begins June 2010 and the coaches and parents are already getting prepared. “This group of young men, coaches, and parents have formed a true bond over the years. The boys have great respect for each other and their opponents, and have found a new talent within themselves…volunteering. This is only the beginning of giving back to the community for this team. We have big off-the-field plans for these boys,” said team mom and volunteer organizer Carla Thomas.
The Storm Program is always looking for sponsors, volunteer possibilities and even a handful of additional players to round out the roster for next season. If you believe that your son has the talent and the character to play for the Storm, and he will be 12 years old on January 1, 2010, please contact Keith or Carla Thomas at 410-643-1358.