WILLIAMSBURG — Each year, the Tidewater Sharks 14U team volunteers around the holidays through various community service endeavors. This year, the 14U team is encouraging the entire community to step up and help with the Sharks Show Up Stocking Drive.
Katherine Sparks, a Sharks 14U parent, is leading the charge.
“Each year, I like to encourage the boys on my son’s soccer team to do something for the community around the holidays. This year, I thought, why not take it to the next level and involve the entire Sharks program? The stockings idea came to mind, and I reached out to the local elementary school counselors. They responded with requests from roughly 20-55 stockings per school,” Sparks explained.
To help, Sparks reached out to Dr. Matt Eppright at Williamsburg Orthodontics. Eppright, a Sharks parent and community volunteer, was excited about the project and his office paid the entire cost of 300 stockings.
After an email went out to all Sharks families, Sparks saw a few donations roll in. However, it was when she posted about the group’s efforts on Facebook that things took off.
“We had some families donate, but the truly amazing support came after I shared the plea on Facebook. Over 23 people shared the post and purchased so much. People I don’t even know were asking how to help,” Sparks said.
After seeing the success on Facebook, the 14U team is now asking the community for help.
From Nov. 1 through Dec. 1, Sharks soccer teams are collecting donations to help elementary school students in need this holiday season. Teams are in need of stocking stuffers for elementary-aged school children, including fuzzy socks, toothbrushes, stickers, snacks, stuffed animals, hot chocolate pouches, crayons, chapstick and more.
Those interested in donating have a few options. The 14U team has created an Amazon wishlist, which will send all donations to the appropriate place automatically. There is also a donation box at the entrance of the WISC, and monetary donations can be sent to Sparks (@Katherine-Sparks-28) on Venmo with the notation “Sharks Show Up.” Any extra donations will be shared locally.
On Dec. 9, the 14U team will assemble the stockings and deliver them to local elementary schools for distribution amongst identified needy families.