United Sports Team of the Week: Shipley School boys seek sponsors to help Haiti earthquake victims

By Zachary Caputo & Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/21/10

The Shipley School boys’ lacrosse team, off to a 9-0 start, isn’t just winning on the field.

The Gators have been named the United Sports Team of the Week for their work in dedicating the season to raise money for the victims in the town of Leogane ravaged by the earthquake in Haiti.

The fundraiser, called “Lax for Leogane,” encourages businesses and local lacrosse supporters to pledge a dollar for every goal the team scores this year. This money will be put towards schooling of the children of Leogane as well as iodine pills to purify the water. Every $30 provides enough money to purchase iodine pills to purify 4,200 gallons of infested water for the people of Leogane to drink.

The project is being supported by Madame Linda Flippo, a French teacher at The Shipley School and a first responder who spent 10 days as a surgical translator immediately after the quake in January. Madame Flippo spent her time in Leogane, a community 25 kilometers west of capital Port-au-Prince, the town nearest to the epicenter of the quake.

The team’s goal is to have 30-to-40 business sponsors and for the Gators to score at least 200 goals (the maximum donation is $200). Currently, Shipley has scored 95 goals.

Gators senior co-captain James Brownstein said the project has had an emotional impact on the team.

“It’s really great to be playing not only for ourselves but for a higher cause,” said Brownstwin, whose team plays Archbishop Carroll Saturday at the 10th Annual Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival.

For information on becoming a donor, contact coach Travis McDonnell at Mcdonnell@shipleyschool.org

“Sometimes you just see that you have the ability to help people and this was one of those times,” said McDonnell. “It’s important for us to always have perspective and to be mindful of those whose need is greater than our own and our boys are embracing that. The Philadelphia lacrosse community is well known for it’s desire to help others and support important causes and we are hoping to continue that.”

Along with their main fundraising efforts, the Gator will also be accepting donations at all home games, as well as hosting a barbecue for Haiti and recognizing all those who are involved. Donors will be updated weekly on goal totals and also be the recipients of any photos, stories or anecdotes of hope that Madame Flippo will be passing along from her travels.