Saranac soccer program makes heartfelt $20K+ donation

SARANAC | Each year, Make-A-Wish of Northeast New York helps grant wishes for dozens of sick children across the region. In December 1990, they granted a wish that still resonates today- one that came full circle to unite a soccer program, school district and entire community in a bittersweet tribute that raised more than $20,000 to further those efforts. "It's amazing how a person can affect so many people even after being gone for 32 years," Renee Castine said tearfully as she recalled the personal impacts that spurned a community-wide effort in her brother's honor. "When I was just 5 years old, my brother, Joshua Charles Roberts, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 9. At this time, Josh and I were both students at Saranac Elementary. In December of 1990, my brother was granted a Make-A-Wish trip to Give Kids the World." That trip gave her family and brother brief solace in the throes of his illness, a step away from hospitals and heartache and offering a glimpse of normalcy and a lifetime of memories. Just months later, her only sibling succumbed to the devastating illness. Castine, now a Saranac Elementary teacher herself and assistant coach of the record-making girls varsity soccer team, recalled how the school helped her cope with the grief and heartache of the loss still felt today. So when the 2022 soccer season rolled around, and the varsity team looked to continue their growing tradition of community contribution- they quickly agreed on a cause close to heart. Unknown to Castine, the team picked Make-A-Wish and when they broke the news, Castine was moved to tears and "Knew at that moment that my assistant coaching position was valued, and I was making a difference in the life of these girls on and off the field." The idea quickly grew with the support of the entire soccer program, coaches, district, families and community with everything from t-shirt sales, bottle drives, door-to-door fundraising, call-a-thons and a district-wide coin drive. A weekend street drive in Plattsburgh helped raised nearly $8,000 thanks to the generosity of local shoppers. Each varsity and JV player was also challenged with individual fundraising goals and after a weeks-long effort, they raised $21,611- an amount hailed with rounds of applause Nov. 9 when it was formally presented to Make-A-Wish Northeast New York officials who were visibly moved by the gesture and overwhelming community effort. Not only was Castine personally impacted by the non-profits' work, but so were students in the audience, including student-athlete Lily Brown, whose sister's struggle with seizures brought their family on a life-changing wish trip to Disney World and momentarily away from the daily challenges and many hospital visits across the Northeast. "It was a magical trip for our entire family, and we are so grateful that we were able to have such a special trip after such a hard time," Brown said as she credited Make-A-Wish for giving her sister and family "wonderful memories that our family will always remember." Before a packed crowd of middle and high school students and faculty, Castine and boys varsity coach Calvin Hamel presented Make-A-Wish Northeast CEO William Trigg with an enlarged check donated by Loreman's Embroidery, Engraving and Screenprinting. In a tearful speech, Trigg spoke to students about not only the impacts of their work, but of what each child can be and accomplish serving others and their own goals. "If it wasn't for your support, we wouldn't be able to grant every wish we do," Trigg said of the local fundraising efforts, which proceeds stay local to help inspire and enrich the lives of dozens of children each year. "We wouldn't be able to do it without you." Saranac Superintendent Javier Perez and Athletic Director Brent Denis hoped the effort served as a reminder for all students how each act of community contribution can resonate well beyond the classroom with lasting impacts- a lesson reinforced by Saranac educators year-round. Varsity soccer captains on both teams shared how the experience benefited them on and off the field, knowing they made a difference not only to one of their coaches, but an entire community as well. It's not the first time the Saranac soccer program made a lasting difference- in recent years, players have raised a combined total of more than $100,000 for regional charities, including the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans. For Castine, the effort not only showed the impacts each player helped make, but the community's support of its district, students and teams. "I am honored to be a part of the Saranac Soccer Program who not only sets records on the field, but off the field as well."

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Saranac soccer program makes heartfelt $20K+ donation

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