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Holmes donates equipment to Kosciusko Upper Elementary Having been a coach for 10 years, Holmes Community College History/Political Science Instructor Jason Kelly knows the joy physical activity brings to the lives of young people. So when the need for physical education equipment arose at Kosciusko Upper Elementary, he immediately went to work.
Kelly approached Holmes Athletic Director Andy Wood, Goodman Academic Dean, Jenny Jones and Associate Athletic Director for External Relations, Steve Diffey, to see what Holmes could do to help the elementary school. It was decided to approach each of the athletic programs to see what equipment they could spare, and they all joined in donating basketballs, footballs and soccer balls for the young people to use during an activity period.
Kelly's wife Dusti teaches math at Kosciusko Upper Elementary. "I went to Kosciusko to visit their classrooms to see where I could help out," Kelly said. "I ran into one of my wives students, and he was really excited about the possibility of me bringing a single basketball for them to play. I immediately spoke with the principal Cassandra Fulton and she was very excited about making this project happen."
"You hear about the push to be active," he said, "but society is slowly cutting the time for physical education, athletics, arts, etc. It's a systematic decline. I saw an opportunity by looking at his face and how happy he was to just get a basketball for his class to go play. I walked out of the room and said we can do better than this. I can do better than this."
"I contacted all the coaches and they donated their supplies that were aged, and they were kind enough to help these kids," said Kelly. Kelly said the supplies were given to Kosciusko Upper Elementary School Principal Cassandra Fulton, and she was going to divide them out between each of the fourth and fifth grade classrooms.
Kelly's goal is helping one elementary school per year with athletic supplies donated by Holmes.
"The plan is to branch out our athletic program and say that Holmes is giving back and allowing elementary schools to be active in more sports," Kelly said. "I want to rehash and rebirth the athletic movement we had when we were little that led to great academics and other things. I want us to work side by side with them, and this is a small way to give back."
IN THE PHOTO: Holmes History/Political Science Instructor Jason Kelly stands with the donations received for students at Kosciusko Upper Elementary School.
