On January 16, 2014 I had the pleasure of visiting PS/MS 149 in Harlem.  The Senior Program Director, Wyatt Melzer, is a UVA graduate whose dedication to these kids is evident. The lacrosse program is a very motivating factor in the school and students earn equipment through good study habits and good behaviors. It's known among students and staff that kids with the coveted UVA gloves do well in school!! This Middle School once had an rating of F.  Through the hard work of students and administration and with the lacrosse program serving as a tailwind, the school moved up to a B rating.  I was able to spend some time with the players, unloading equipment and seeing their field.  They were very appreciative for the donations and were excited to see a long pole!  I also had the opportunity to meet the school's principal as well as the girls' lacrosse coach.  The program for girls is just getting started and Stix Together looks forward to donating to them in the future.  The school's full name is PS/MS 149 The Sojourner Truth Middle School. I decided to look into Sojourner Truth's struggle and I found this quote I liked.  She said, "Let individuals make the most of what God has given them, have their neighbors do the same, and then do all they can to serve each other." It was my pleasure to be a very small part of lacrosse in Harlem and to help other kids who are essentially my neighbors.  These players have heart and the world should expect big things from them.  

Thanks again to our donors!  I can only begin to tell you the difference your equipment makes!

Evan

Thank you to all who donated during our fall 2013 drive!  We even got 4 sticks for girls this time around!  Well, our garage is full, so it looks like it's time again for us to pass on your donations to kids in need!  Fall ball anyone?!

Thanks so much!
Regan

Thanks to all who donated!  Our fall drive was a big success and we couldn't have done it without you.  Just in case you're curious, here's an inventory of what we've collected:

27 sticks (4 girls')
11 pairs of gloves
21 shoulder pads
7 rib pads
12 pairs of elbow pads
10 pairs of cleats
21 helmets

Thanks again!
Evan

On February 18th, we visited Escuela Santa Cruz in Liberia, Costa Rica. We brought lacrosse sticks and school supplies. The kids and the teachers were super grateful for both! The kids had never played lax before. Evan and I had fun teaching them to catch and throw.  Some of them were really good. They didn't speak English, but we managed to communicate. We played "landa" which is similar to tag. We were sad to leave, but we were happy knowing that lax equipment that had been used by our friends in New York was going to be used by our new Costa Rican friends. Pura Vida!

-Regan Kielmeyer

Since getting the word out, we've gotten a lot of generous support from the community. Often we come home to find donations on our doorstep. We appreciate it very much. 

In February we had the opportunity to visit Costa Rica. Prior to our trip, we reached out to a local charity organization called Cresciendo Juntas.  They organized a excursion whereby we could deliver lax equipment and school supplies to kids in Costa Rica. We were escorted to Escuela Santa Cruz in Liberia.  We met some great kids who had never heard of lacrosse. This explains why they held the sticks like baseball bats! My sister and I conducted an afternoon clinic and the kids were so excited. It was a great day!  Special thanks to Sara and Deyna! 

-Evan Kielmeyer