CHECK PRESENTATION … On hand for the donation toward the weight room project at Hilltop were Maintenance Engineer Eleazar Serrano (Hilltop graduate), Hilltop Varsity Football Head Coach and Lifting Coach Nate Massie, Hilltop Athletic Director Tony Gerig, Senior Electrician Mike Vershum (Hilltop graduate), and North Star BlueScope Executive Administrative Assistant Kristen Fruchey. (PHOTO BY RICH HARDING, STAFF)
By: Nate Calvin
WEST UNITY – The Millcreek-West Unity Local School District is in the process of adding on to the current school building.
Once completed in the spring, the addition will be comprised of a junior high gymnasium, a 2,000 square foot weight room, two junior high locker rooms (boys & girls), a concession stand, public restrooms, an athletic office, and storage.
The school plans to host archery tournaments and junior high contests in the venue, which will have ample seating for spectators.
Hilltop’s academic programs, especially choir and intervention services, will be enhanced since extra classroom space will become available once the weightroom is relocated to the addition.
In order to stay close to budget, several items have not been funded. One area of funding that is of the greatest concern for the school is the purchase of additional equipment to properly furnish the more spacious weight room.
Installing extra weightlifting equipment in a room with twice the space is viewed as a way to enhance the student athletes’ strength and conditioning program and provide them with a safer workout environment.
Hilltop has received two donations recently to help them toward their goal of raising $40,000 for the purchase of the extra weightlifting equipment.
The school has received a $5,000 donation from the Bryan Eagles and most recently a $25,000 donation from North Star BlueScope Steel in Delta.
“In an effort to strengthen our surrounding communities, we are excited to support the Hilltop School
District with their newly built junior high gym, weight room, and locker rooms”, said North Star Blue Scope Executive Administrative Assistant Kristen Fruchey.
“Our donation will be put towards the purchase of necessary equipment for the new weight room that will be open for use to not only all the students but also those in sports and extracurriculars.”
“At North Star we encourage our team to stay healthy through participation in our on-site fitness center
that if utilized enough within a year can result in significant cost savings in their monthly medical premiums”, she continued.
“We value finding ways to not only support healthy habits within our North Star family but also, within our community.”
“It wasn’t a hard decision for our team to make in supporting the school with this need because children learn many skills that will stay with them for life through playing sports.”
“Sports develop kids’ ability to have a strong work ethic, teamwork, loyalty and being responsible for owning their mistakes and learning from them. All these skills directly correlate to their everyday careers when they get older.”
SUPPORTING THE PROJECT … Denny Baer, center presented a check from the Bryan Eagles in the amount of $5,000 as a donation for the new Hilltop weightroom equipment. Left to right: Jim Wyse, Superintendent, Denny Baer, Bryan Eagles, and Don Leu, teacher and Bryan Eagles member. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
The school has established levels of funding which are:
Business / Organization Donors – Gold Donor=$10,000+; Silver Donor=$5,000-$9,999; Bronze Donor=$2,500-$4,999
Family / Individual Donors – Gold Donor=$1,000+; Silver Donor=$500-$999; Bronze Donor=$250-$499
If anyone would like to donate, they are asked to make the check payable to: Millcreek-West Unity Schools and write weight equipment on the memo line of the check. People may contribute as a business, organization, family, or individual.
Each donor, regardless of the amount of the donation, will receive a thank-you letter for tax purposes and recognition at a board of education meeting.
In addition, donors who meet one of the levels listed above will receive recognition on a donor wall, the school website, and in the newspaper.
If Hilltop receives donations in excess of $40,000, these funds will be earmarked towards the purchase of additional weight room equipment.
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com
