USVI-On-Line

Making a difference from off-island

As many as 130 St. John youngsters will get a chance to try their hands and feet at football, soccer, dodge ball and more Monday at the first annual ‘Just Play’ sports event at the Sprauve School ball yard.

Organizer Dean Doeling, a senior production artist at Nike in Beaverton, Oregon, and a frequent St. John vacationer, spearheaded the event after seeing first-hand “there is an overwhelming need and desire to help these kids with their sports and fitness needs.”

Of course, the main obstacle is financial. Both private and public schools on the island have few dollars for sports equipment.
“On one of my trips, I noticed kids were playing with a (one) flat soccer ball,” Doeling said. “I also noticed the basketball hoops did not have nets on them ... Since I work at Nike ... (I thought) I could use Nike as a resource to help the kids achieve some athletic goals.”

‘Just Play’ will be a combination of entertainment, athletics, and free stuff. All participants will get Nike clothing. Many will also get new Nike shoes.

The day-long event will be moderated by St. John’s Brenda Wallace, and feature guests including Julian Jackson, a world champion boxer, the Love City Pan Dragons, the Love City Leapers and the St. John School of the Arts.
Among local businesses sponsoring the event are designer jewelry store Verace, Aarawak Expeditions, Morgan’s Mango and Starfish Market. The full list of sponsors is available at http://www.usingsportforsocialchange.co ... businesses

Dean Doeling organized a group, Using Sport for Social Change, to help him do the work he sees is needed. “The motto is to focus Virgin Island youth through sports and fitness, giving them the confidence they need,” he said.

"My intention is to develop and assist with sports and fitness programs within local schools and the community. This plan will involve local schools, businesses, charitable organizations, Nike vendors and of course, Nike."

* More information is available at http://www.usingsportforsocialchange.co ... ial_change


(copied from http://barnako.typepad.com/)

We are soooo excited about this! Dean just got on island on Thursday afternoon. He looked BEAT when I picked him up at the dock. He started the long trek the the night before and had several packed duffel bags with him. There will be games, music, food, prizes, and it's ALL FREE and open for ALL kids 2-18. If any of you happen to be in Cruz Bay on the 12th...you won't be able to miss the activities. A lot of people worked really hard to get this event together and I hope that this is the first of many many more to come.

Dean, you rock!

Despite the less than ideal weather the day was a sucess...



Winston Wells Ballfield was a muddy mess from Monday morning's rains, but that didn't deter the approximately 50 youths who showed up for the first annual Just Play Day.
"I wanted to do all the fun stuff, and it's better than staying at home," said Michael Palminteri, 9, a Gifft Hill School student.
Just Play Day was organized by Dean Doeling, an Oregon resident who works for Nike, through his Using Sport for Social Change organization. A frequent St. John visitor, Doeling said he started Using Sport for Social Change because he saw that St. John's youth sports needed some help.
"Nike wants its employees to be involved in the community, and it doesn't matter what community," Doeling said.
One of the youths, Davon Alfred, a 10-year-old Julius E. Sprauve School student, said he attended the event in hopes of winning some of the Nike equipment donated as prizes.
Just Play Day, held with the help of the St. John Community Foundation and the Housing, Parks and Recreation Department, featured events such as soccer skills, football throws, obstacle courses, kickball, dodge ball, tug of war and a soccer-relay event.
Brenda Wallace, with microphone in hand, served as Just Play Day's moderator.
"It's great physical activity, and it gets kids involved with sportsmanship and playing together," she said.
As they day began, Elizabeth Putnam, who teaches physical education at Gifft Hill School, led the youths through some basic exercises.
"I would do anything for the kids," she said.
Other parents were also on hand to help out. Lori Dudkin, standing with Michael Palminteri's father, Joe Palminteri, said that when someone from "outside" wants to help the island's children, she'd be on hand to assist.
"They can't do it without volunteers, and it's the St. John way," Dudkin said.
Ken Wild came to keep an eye on his daughter, Emily, 11, a home-schooled student.
"You've got to support kids on everything," he said.
Meanwhile, Emily Wild, was busy getting ready to "play and run." Gifft Hill School student Jada Jarvis, 8, had a similar answer when asked what brought her out to the event.
"So I could have fun and play," she said.
Other kids were a little bit more low-key with their answers, but all were looking for a good time.
"I had no school and I didn't have anything else to do," said Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School student Caija Campbell, 11.

copied from the St John Source:
http://stjohnsource.com/content/news/lo ... sland-kids


... this was a good thing - good job folks.


Edited 10 AM on 10/13 to add:
pics and story from Gerald Singer:

http://seestjohn.com/st_john_life/life- ... just-play/

Great job everyone! Sounds like it was a huge success and I'm sure all the kids had a blast.

The day was great! A lot of people came out to participate and volunteer. We had rain in the morning,and a little more in the afternoon (Kid + Mud = ), but most of the day was sunny and hot! For the first time event, this went really really well. Next year will be even better!

I think the kids all really had a lot of fun and I hope next year we will have even more. I think we ended up with 78 kids who participated. Everyone went home with Nike gear. The first place winners got to pick a ball. Then there was a raffle where some got to pick a pair of shoes or a ball.

Thank you to DJ Percy, Brenda Wallace (moderator), Love City Leapers, Pan Dragons, Shatique, Jullian, Julius, and John Jackson, CSN Band, and of course Dean and all of the volunteers and businesses that donated their time and product to make this event happen!