More than 100 Kids Enjoyed the Inaugral Washburn Games
More than 100 kids experienced the joy and fun of helping their peers at the inaugural Washburn Games. The event – a non-competitive “sports sampler” allowing kids to test their skills in 15 different sports activities – netted $40,000 to help children served at Washburn Center for Children.
“We are thrilled at the enthusiasm and commitment of all our Washburn Games volunteers, sponsors and supporters,” said Steve Lepinski, executive director of Washburn Center for Children. “But we are especially proud of all the kids who showed they could give back to the community and have a great time doing it.”
Allianz sponsored the inaugural event at the gold level; Success Computer Consulting as the silver sponsor level and 15 other Twin Cities companies also donated to make the event possible. “Physical fitness and mental health wellness go hand-in-hand,” said Mike Brennan a Washburn board member and chair of the Washburn Games. “When kids are strong and confident – emotionally and intellectually – they can do anything in life. The Washburn Games were born out of this connection, and we are grateful to live in a community that values both mental and physical health wellness.”
Children and families at the Washburn Games were asked to raise $100 in donations on behalf of Washburn Center for Children or pay a $10 registration fee. Participants who raised a minimum of $100 for Washburn were qualified them for a variety of prizes including two $1,000 higher education scholarships. All participants received a Washburn Games T-shirt, medal and gift bag upon completing the event. Five-year-old Connor Morrey won a $1,000 educational scholarship for raising the most donations for Washburn.
“It is surprisingly easy for kids to rally behind mental wellness,” Lepinski said. “Most of our Washburn Games participants had experience dealing with a classmate, sibling or friend who felt sad or angry and didn’t know why,” Lepinski said. “Even the youngest kids at the Games had an appreciation for what it meant to be giving back to the community and helping kids like themselves be more successful in life – the depth of compassion was remarkable to see.”
Return to Washburn's news page