Program starts to help students with sporting equipment

The first entry reads: Seeliger Elementary School. Eight-year-old male. Soccer cleats, size 4. Soccer ball.

Others follow, listing the ages and schools of students in need of supplies ranging from sports equipment to backpacks.

"There's a lot of kids out there who want to play sports and can't afford what goes with them like a bat or a mitt," said Kim Riggs, director of the Carson City School District's Children in Transition program. "This way, people in the community can help them out. It's a really neat program."

The school district is working with Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Carson City to let the community know the needs of the students and provide a way for them to help.

When teachers or coaches become aware of a student who is need of certain items, those items will be identified along with that student's identification number. That information will be recorded and sent to Big 5 Sporting Goods.

A book will remain at the store year-round listing the needs of students from all age groups and patrons can purchase the supplies outlined on the list for one or more of the children.

"It's really simple and it will remain totally confidential," Riggs said.

Once the items have been purchased, store officials will contact representatives from the student's school who will pick them up and deliver them to the student.

If a school official is not available, representatives from the SBC Telecom Pioneers of Nevada will pick up and deliver directly to the school.

Other sponsors of the program include the Carson City Raiders Booster Club and Southwest Gas Corp.

Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.