KIKK Stalwarts - Eric Loebig and Jack O'Donnell

Just who are Eric Loebig and Jack O'Donnell, the two Hinsdale Central H. S. varsity soccer players who coordinated the KIKK fundraiser for Schools Count? Well, one look at their soccer resumes and other interests will tell you much about them and how they were able to raise in excess of $6,400.00.

Both Eric and Jack are seniors. In terms of their careers in soccer at Central, each was a standout. Eric, a midfielder, and Jack, a keeper, were starters on this year's varsity team that made it to the 'Sweet Sixteen' in the IHSA State Tournament. Both were named All-Conference players in the West Suburban Silver Division for the 2009 campaign. Eric and Jack were joint winners of the Coaches Award which honors players for their all around play.

Their HC exploits don't end on the pitch. Both Eric and Jack are recipients of the 2009 All Conference Academic Award. What this means is that both players had at least a 4.0 GPA. Quite an accomplishment indeed.

Let's take a look at what makes Eric and Jack tick beyond school. Eric loves his music. The Third Eye Blind is his favorite band. Aside from soccer Eric enjoys wakeboarding, snowboarding, ice hockey, golf, and surfing. Though Eric has not yet made a final decision in terms of where he will attend college, his choices have been narrowed down to the University of Missouri, Dayton, Miami, and Iowa.

Jack O'Donnell also, like most teenagers, enjoys his music. For Jack, though, there is more to it than merely listening to his favorite songs. He plays the guitar and drums and currently performs with two bands. Aside from music Jack loves watching all types of college and professional sports. Jack currently has a gig on HC's WHSD radio station on Thursday mornings. His show is a political satire called "The Americans." Jack hopes to attend DePauw University upon graduating from Central.

These are two players who clearly have their act together, both on and off the soccer field. From my perspective, there is no way the KIKK fundraiser would have been such a wonderful success without their leadership.



Many thanks,

Dick Flesher

KIKK Nails a Golden Goal!

In soccer the most exciting goal is a game winner called a 'golden goal.' The hugely successful Hinsdale Central High School soccer season may have come to a close (Sweet Sixteen!) but everyone associated with the program notched its own version of a 'golden goal' with the KIKK fundraiser!

The soccer-tennis event combined the tourney in September with a number of other team-oriented initiatives throughout the season. What an event it was!!! The final tally indicates that a staggering $6,468.71 was raised through cash contributions and the donation of various goods!!! A 'golden goal' indeed!!

Seniors Eric Loebig and Jack O'Donnell (I'll have more to say about these two in a later posting) were responsible for spearheading this effort. Everyone got in on the action. Participants included players on the various HC teams, the Boys Soccer Boosters Club, parents who weren't part of the boosters, and a number of local businesses.

So hats off to the following!!!

Family Donors: Arnold, Bucheleres, Cole, Grasso, Hetke, LaRocque, Legan, Loebig, Meyer, O'Donnell, Oleferchik, Oleszkiewicz, Pincus, Marshall Reavis, Scott, Virgili, and anonymous.

Business Donors: Campus Colors, Chipotle, Clarendon Hills Bank, Domino's Pizza, Egg Harbor, Klepacki & Associates, Kramer Foods, Soccer 2000, Stockholm Objects, Traffic Control Corporation.

Hundreds and thousands of students in New Orleans, and elsewhere, are the beneficiaries of your generosity! To one and all...what a game winner!!

Many thanks,

Dick Flesher

HC Habitat for Humanity Aids Students

Yes, the typical high school Habitat for Humanity organization works to help families obtain affordable housing. This is something that the Hinsdale Central High School chapter has done for many years! But the HCHS Habitat Club goes well beyond their work to build homes in West Virginia.

On Friday, October 23rd the members of Habitat, at Central, held a Chili Dinner in the high school student cafeteria on the evening of the last home football game. It was a smashing success!! So much so, that the organization was able to raise funds for its 2010 trip to West Virginia in addition to donating $1000.00 to Schools Count Corp for its continuing work to help students in need in New Orleans.

To the club sponsors and students who are members of Habitat for Humanity please accept my profound thanks for such a generous donation! Please know that your effort and service in helping others makes a real difference.

Dick Flesher

Branche a Hit at Appreciation Dinner

Four and one-half years after Hurricane Katrina, Benjamin Banneker's talented Principal, Cheryllyn Branche, brought her message of hope, revival and thanks to one hundred and five donors and volunteers at the Appreciation Dinner on Oct. 26th.

To hear Cheryllyn was a treat in itself as donors and volunteers got to hear, first hand, the problems and issues facing schools and those, like Cheryllyn, who operate the schools. Cheryllyn discussed funds which have not yet found their way to NOLA, overcrowding, the confusion created with a myriad number of types of schools, and the issue of state testing which has a number of ramifications.

To say that Cheryllyn is optimistic in light of state wide and city wide challenges is an understatement. Her assessment of Banneker's needs, the care with which she attends to her staff and student needs, and her willingness to give her all in the name of public education was made abundantly clear. To a person, those in attendance found a person who was humble, able to articulate current problems and had a sense of where she wanted to take Banneker. Those in attendance heard a person who is optimistic and willing to tackle the problems at hand.

Many walked away from the dinner with a sense that what they had contributed to Banneker, and other NOLA schools, has indeed been put to good use. Since that evening a number of donors and volunteers have contributed more funds to Schools Count. Two families were so moved by Cheryllyn's words of hope that they have pledged to go to New Orleans in 2010!!

One thing is certain, our commitment and concern for Banneker and her students remains strong.

What a night! What a lady!

Dick Flesher

Kickers Score Big With KiKK

It all started back on August, 29 2005. That's not just the day that Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, it's also the point at which the Hinsdale Central H. S. boys soccer squads joined in the effort to help rebuild New Orleans and the schools.

The boys continued to aid the city's schools by hosting the third annual KIKK (Kick It In For Katrina Kids) fundraiser on Sunday, September 20th. To say that the event was a success is an understatement!

Led by seniors Eric Loebig and Jack O'Donnell, the soccer-tennis competition raised in excess of $2,000.00!! True, the rain cut off the heated competition at the semi final stage but, no worries, all had a great time.

The day was a whopping success on all fronts. Not only did the soccer players come up with such a fantastic amount of cash donations, they were able to enjoy knocking the ball back and forth between friends. Where else could you go on a Sunday afternoon and receive a free t-shirt (compliments on Hinsdale Bank and Trust), have some pizza (Domino's), enjoy some great music, have a refreshing water/gatorade, and help a great cause?

The jury may still be out with respect to the final victor in the soccer-tennis competition but the entire HC soccer program can know that they have won a championship when it comes to aiding those in need.

Kudos to all the players, parents, and patrons who made this day so successful and memorable.

Many thanks,
Coach Flesher

Schools Count Corp Cares!

By the very nature of our company's name, Schools Count, its pretty obvious that our organization; its donors, volunteers, affiliated non-profits, and recipients care deeply about young people. Going a step further, we seek to enable students to have the resources available, on a daily basis, so that they can enjoy success in the classroom while having a pleasant overall experience in the process.

That is exactly why we provide not only supplies for use in day-to-day classroom work but we also provide gear for athletics, games for rainy days, resources for recess, and instruments for music programs. Our aim is to provide for a students total educational experience.

There are far too many public schools in this country, whether because of disasters or tough economic times, that aren't able - through no fault of their own - to fully meet the needs of their students.

And that's where Schools Count Corp comes in. Public schools have always been fundamental to the success of individuals, the communities in which they reside, and the larger American society. A decent public education must be afforded every child in the United States. Schools Count Corp. will do its part to help realize this right and, in turn, and the dreams of each person.

Many thanks for your continued support!!!


Dick Flesher
President

HC Boys Soccer Readies for KIKK

What team will be crowned the 2009 KIKK (Kick It In For Katrina Kids) Champion in Hinsdale Central's annual soccer-tennis fundraiser? We'll soon know as the players take to the court next Sunday, September 20th at the Hinsdale Central H. S. tennis courts. The competion begins at 2:00 pm and the champion will be crowned by 5:00 pm.

This unique game sees teams of 2-3 players playing in a group format, like the World Cup, with each team guaranted to play in three matches. After this early phase of soccer-tennis, heading or kicking the soccer ball over the net, the competition moves in single elimination phase.

Players pay a minimal registration fee to play in the event with all the proceeds going to Schools Count Corp. The funds are used to purchase supplies for Illinois and Chicagoland schools, as well as those in New Orleans, in need of various resources.

Kudos to Hinsdale Bank and Trust in Hinsdale for providing the funds to purchase t-shirts. Every participant in the KIKK competition receives a free t-shirt. Thanks Kramer's!! Your support is appreciated.

Come on out and enjoy the day and root for your favorite player. Let the fun begin!!

Dick Flesher