Athletic department gets much-needed boost

Times Reporter

 

The athletic department at Holy Cross Collegiate, HCC, has been in desperate need of funding for a while now. This fact didn’t pass by Laurie Bratt, who decided to do something about it. Last year she approached the principal to ask what she could do for the program. She was told she would have to create a booster club and organize things through that. 

“I started up a booster club for the athletic department because funding is low for the athletes. They are in dire need of equipment and mostly uniforms, we’re trying to raise money to help purchase new uniforms for the teams,” said Bratt. 

She came up with the idea of hosting a Lobster and Steak fundraising dinner. Originally it was just going to be a lobster dinner, but Bratt knew not everyone likes lobster so she added steak to the menu. For $30, people had an option of steak or lobster plus a variety of side dishes. For $40, however, people were able to have both steak and lobster, and many guests took advantage of the great price. All of the athletes at HCC helped out in one way or another when it came to putting the dinner on, whether it was peeling and cooking potatoes or manning the door.   

“It wasn’t something that hasn’t been done around town and it was something I felt was different that would get people to come out,” said Bratt. 

On top of the filling food there was a cakewalk, chicken drop for the kids and a bouncy house. There were also hotdogs sold for the kids who likely wouldn’t eat a full steak or lobster, much less both. Things turned out better than anticipated, with many people in the community donating time, money, or food.    

“It was a great community spirit effort,” said Bratt. “It was a very successful event for our athletic department.” 

Bratt is sure this is only the beginning, and is already planning to make the dinners the big annual event held for the kids.