Basketball season is going strong! In addition to the excitement on the court, there is also a lot of activity at the concession stand. Concessions offer food, snacks and drinks for fans and players. Many people have dinner while they’re at the game. Besides being convenient, the concession stand also raises money for Viking athletics.
The Cook County Booster Club runs the stand and uses the money to support all Viking sports. The school budget cannot cover everything that athletes need. Almost 150 athletes participate in Viking sports at all levels, according to Athletic Director Pam Taylor, and the school can only provide about $350 per sport each year. The Booster Club raises around $20,000 annually to supplement that.
So far this year, the Booster Club has funded a movie camera for the basketball and football teams, a rooter bus for football playoffs, new basketballs for the girls’ basketball program, and junior varsity coaching salaries for volleyball, football and basketball.
In the past, Booster Club has also funded things like baseball bats and practice balls, track and field shots and spikes, tournament busses for skiers, and lots of protective gear and helmets.
The Booster Club is run by volunteers. They keep track of the money raised and approve requests by coaches. To keep the concession stand running, Boosters do the planning, purchasing, cleaning, and maintenance of food safety standards and equipment. Boosters also schedule volunteers. Over the course of the volleyball and basketball season, there are over 100 volunteer shifts to be filled in concessions.
Athletes and their parents are especially needed for the Booster Club to continue its success. Those 100 concession shifts would easily be covered if each family volunteered just once a year. Contact your coach to get on the concession stand schedule. Community members and businesses are also welcome to volunteer in the concession stand––get your name announced during the game as a thank you!
Whoever you are, 90 minutes of your time will help every athlete have what he or she needs to be safe and successful. Volunteering in the concession stand is fun and easy. You see friends and meet new people. The equipment is simple to use, and a Booster Club member is always available for help.
The Booster Club also needs board members. The next meeting is Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mayhew Building in Grand Marais.
For more information about volunteering in concessions or joining the Booster Club, contact a Booster Club member: Debbie Bakke, Lisa Furlong, Kyler Hawkins, Aimee Luick, Krista Mixdorf, Jennifer Schulz, or Laurie Spry.
See you at the game!
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