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Schools

Save Seaford Sports Sees Huge Support at Holiday Party

Dedicated parents hope to raise enough money for the upcoming Seaford Middle School athletic seasons in 2012.

More than 200 middle school students and parents filled the this past Friday evening in support of Save Seaford Sports, an organization to the revival of athletic teams cut from the budget.

When the Seaford School District was forced to make cuts after voters rejected the proposed spending plan last spring, the $141,000 portion used to pay for a majority of middle school teams was no longer feasible. When it was learned that only fall sports could be salvaged by the district, 12 dedicated parents founded Save Seaford Sports.

According to the group's co-founder Suzanne Jordan, the mission is about much more than just a game. She feels that sports in the school setting offers a heap of benefits to the district's young children and the town as a whole.

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"It's important for the whole community to have something together," said Jordan, whose son is in his last year at the middle school. "It keeps children off the streets, giving them initiative to do something and strive to be better."

Jordan told Patch that Friday night's holiday party was a huge success in the organization's goal to raise the final funds needed for the second session of winter athletics starting in January.

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"We've raise $22,000 toward the $28,000 that we need for the second winter season," explained Jordan. "For the spring we need $70,000 so we'll start all over again after January."

In their efforts to fundraise, Save Seaford Sports has hosted holiday parties, comedy fundraisers, Pampered Chef events, car washes, bake sales and much more.

Jordan felt that all their hardwork paid off when more than 20 middle school athletes wrote letters to the organization thanking them for bringing their team back.

"They can't thank us enough," she said. "Anytime we see parents or students, they overwhelm us. It feels great."

Save Seaford Sport co-president Annmarie Lynch expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support the organization has seen from local families recently despite the excess spending that surrounds the holiday season.

"We know the holidays are hard, so we ask for small donations," Lynch said. "This past week it's really picked up a lot. The support is amazing."

For regular updates from Save Seaford Sports, log onto the group's Facebook page.

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