Lynchburg-Clay boys soccer donates to the Blessings for Christmas and Hope Emergency
Pictured are (l-r) LC soccer captains Aric Slack and Caden Boone, Amanda Widmeyer and Kathy Hutchens of representing Hope Emergency, Christy Roberts of representing Blessings for Christmas, Inc., Bobbi and Tony Barber, the parents of Alex, and Lynchburg-Clay Athletic Director Mark Faust. (Submitted Photos)
On Aug. 9, the Lynchburg-Clay boys soccer team held their 2nd annual alumni game. This year, the game was given the official name of The Alex Barber LC Alumni Soccer Match in honor of 2020 graduate Alex Barber who passed earlier this year. The event allows our alumni to stay connected with the soccer program, and more importantly, is used as a fund raiser for local charities.
On Aug. 23, the Mustang soccer team presented the money raised from the alumni game to the Blessings for Christmas and Hope Emergency. Blessings for Christmas has a mission to bring joy and relief to families in the Lynchburg-Clay School District during the holiday season by providing gifts, meals, and essential supplies.
Through the generous support of community members and local businesses, they strive to ease the financial and emotional stress on families, ensuring that every child experiences the warmth and magic of Christmas. They are dedicated to fostering a spirit of compassion, unity, and hope within our community. Last year, Blessings for Christmas helped 238 children; this was the largest number for their program ever. Hope Emergency provides food and clothing outreach services to residents of Adams, Brown, Clinton and Highland counties.
The money donated will be used to purchase food, specifically meat. Their food budget has exploded in the last few years as the cost of food has increased. Hope Emergency strives to maintain what they are providing to the clients they serve. In 2024, Hope Emergency served an average of 230 clients per week or a total of over 11,000 distributions.
The Mustang soccer team was able to raise a total $2,286 for Hope Emergency and Blessings for Christmas at their alumni game. The money raised was split between the two charities. In addition to this, the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1161 donated an additional $3,000 to Hope Emergency and $3,000 to Blessings for Christmas in honor of Alex Barber. The Eagles also donated $4,000 to the Lynchburg-Clay Athletic Department. Bobbi and Tony Barber, the parents of Alex, are members of the Eagles #1161.
The Lynchburg-Clay soccer team would like to thank everyone who participated in the alumni and donated to Hope Emergency and Blessings for Christmas, with a special thanks going out to the Barber family and the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1161.
