Community makeover extreme football style
The Rock Canyon High School football program spent a day working on neighborhood improvements as part of a community service project put together by the Touchdown Club, the program’s booster organization.
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Extreme Community Makeover
In late July, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) football program took more than 40 players and parents to the Globeville neighborhood north of Denver. The group adopted a three block area and completed a variety of exterior maintenance projects.
The event, put together by the Touchdown Club, the football program’s booster organization, partnered with the nonprofit Extreme Community Makeover in putting together a community service project for the players and their families.
After surveying the local residents, a “honey-do” list was compiled. The volunteers put in a full day’s work in the neighborhood. They painted, removed trash, refurbished a handicap accessible ramp, trimmed bushes, mowed lawns and pulled weeds. When the team of volunteers broke for lunch, many of the neighbors they were helping came to join them.
Jackson Albright, senior and tight end, works on repairing boards of a handicap accessible ramp. “It was great to be able to work with fellow football players and to be able to help those less fortunate than us,” Albright stated.
“Our kids made the connection with the homeowners. It was humans helping their fellow humans,” said Sam Kirschke, Touchdown Club board member. “These kids will remember this for the rest of their lives,” she continued.
“I loved working with the owners of the houses in Globeville. Seeing their reactions after making a huge impact on their lives was so nice to see,” stated Chris Mannion, senior and offensive lineman for the RCHS Jaguars.
“It was so nice to help a family that couldn’t do the work on their own. I feel so fortunate to live in a community that gives back,” stated Declan Mannion, sophomore and offensive lineman for the RCHS Jaguars.
Members of the Rock Canyon High School football program worked together to replace boards and paint a ramp off a home in the Globeville neighborhood community in Denver.
Globeville is an old Denver neighborhood that was originally settled in the 1800s. Over the years it has seen the development of I-25 and I-70, which today divides the community into quarters. It is home to the National Western Complex, the Denver Coliseum and Mission Ballroom, Denver’s newest music venue.
Extreme Community Makeover is a Denver nonprofit that has been in operation since 2008. They have, with the help of more than 33,500 volunteers, impacted 2,600 residents in eight different Denver neighborhoods.
