Local football players volunteer in community

SPARTA — Pope John football players took time out from their busy practice schedule to volunteer with Pass It Along.

The junior grade players volunteered at Knoll View Assisted Living Facility in Sparta and the senior players volunteered at Little Sprouts Day Care Center in Newton.

The excited senior residents at Knoll View Assisted Living facility were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the players and greeted them with a warm round of applause. Players and residents then spent the afternoon playing Getting to Know You Bingo, ring toss, corn hole and engaged in some serious intergenerational conversation before sharing a snack together.

The children who attend Little Sprouts Day Care Center in Newton were equally as excited to spend time with the Pope John football players. As part of their week long Summer Olympics program, the children, with some help from their new Pope John buddies made gold medals, played games and had fun making their way through an Olympic style obstacle course. As evidenced by the squeals of delight from the Little Sprouts attendees and the big smiles on the Pope John player's faces, a great time was had by all.

Pass It Along was founded in 2001 and provides young people the opportunity to plan, execute, lead, and participate in initiatives to bring about positive change in their community and beyond. In addition, they provide a workshop series at no cost to both middle schools and high schools titled “Discover Your Passion and Purpose” in which the topics of Self-Awareness, Gratitude and Service are explored through group discussion, experiential exercises, media and interactive games. The students are then given the opportunity to participate in various leadership programs throughout the year as well as the afterschool club with volunteerism opportunities.