KU football team helps local first-grader

Last summer, Justin Jackson, a first-grader at Conger Elementary School, attended Klamath Union High School’s annual football camp, where his upbeat attitude and personality were noted by many members of the team. In early fall, Justin was struck by swine flu that spiraled into bacterial meningitis. He has since endured many surgeries and continues to receive treatment toward his rehabilitation and recovery at Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital in Portland. When team members learned of Justin’s illness and monumental medical expenses, they participated in a “It’s Swell to Rent-a-Pel” program on a Saturday. Team members from the freshmen, JV and varsity football teams offered their time and talents for fall cleanup, hauling, painting, raking leaves, landscape work and much more. Holly Stork, a mother of two team members who helped to coordinate the event, said she was impressed by the willingness of the players to be in involved in the program. “We had pages and pages on a spreadsheet of appointments scheduled and, when I asked for volunteers, all hands shot up repeatedly to help — with many team members juggling multiple task assignments,” she said. “They worked so hard in freezing temperatures with great attitudes, knowing how worthwhile their efforts were.” Working from sunup to sundown on more than 60 different jobs, the teams raised $3,537 for Justin and his family to help defray the costs of his medical care. KUHS head football coach Tom Smith conceived the fundraiser idea and has a son who is a classmate of Justin’s. “The dedication of our players and commitment to making sure they gave their best was a positive reflection on the kind of young men they are,” he said. “I was very proud of them and grateful we could help a really nice family in a positive way.”