Newton football players and cheerleaders are proving that teamwork does not stop on the field.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Newton football players and cheerleaders are proving that teamwork does not stop on the field. Over the weekend, the youth club traded helmets and pom poms for shovels, helping neighbors dig out after heavy snowfall.
In freezing temperatures, the Newton Junior Railers football and cheer club did something they didn’t have to: Clearing sidewalks for neighbors who needed a hand.
“Newton Junior Railers Football and Cheer Club is a youth sports organization, obviously focused on youth football and cheer,” said Assistant Coach Mel Pratt. “We start football in first grade and go through sixth, and we start cheer in first grade and go through eighth.”
The idea started with simply recognizing a need in the community.
“I think we just truly recognize that sometimes our neighbors just need a hand,” Pratt said. “It was actually our board member, Trevor’s idea.”
She made a post on social media, and what followed was an overwhelming response.
“We had … 15-20 kids coming in and then several adults as well,” Pratt said.
The work came with no strings attached.
“It was totally just a benefit for our community,” Pratt said.
For coaches, the moment went beyond snow removal.
“It’s incredible to watch kids be willing to help out. I mean, they were getting nothing out of it. It was purely out of fun and out of care,” Pratt said.
Neighbors noticed—and appreciated it.
“Everybody was super, super grateful,” Pratt said.
Trevor Geist, the board member who helped spark the idea, says it’s about teaching kids to lead with empathy.
“You don’t know what your neighbor’s struggle is; we don’t really care,” he said. “Give the grace that you hope you never need. That’s kind of the way it needs to be.”
Even in the cold, the kids kept going until they simply ran out of time.
“The kids did not care,” Pratt said. “I think we worked for probably two hours.”
They hope efforts like this will also push the community to come out to their games on Saturdays, which are free. Coaches say they hope efforts like this continue—showing the next generation that giving back can start right outside your own front door.
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Category: General Sports
