Boosters help in a pinch

With pennies being pinched ever tighter in Kansas schools, a group of USD 257 supporters have come to the aid of Iola High School students.
The IHS Booster Club helps raise thousands of dollars each year in private funding to support the athletic teams and clubs in their numerous endeavors.
In years past, the Booster Club has helped paint the football field stadium, paid for new scoreboards and padded wall mats in the IHS gymnasium, an ice machine at the stadium and flags to be displayed around Iola’s downtown square on game days.
Last year alone, the club gave to the boys and girls basketball programs, cheer squad, bought an iPad to help the volleyball team more easily record statistics and a software program for the football team to develop its own website.
“We probably average raising between $9,000 and $10,000 each year,” noted club treasurer Jan Sigg. Last year was no different, and numbers are close for 2013-14.
But as with any such group, the Booster Club needs a boost of its own from time to time.
“We need help, in manpower or members,” said Larry Toney, one of the most active Booster Club members.
The longest-serving members have children who will graduate soon. And while many will remain as a part of the Boosters, some will not.
Jenni Ware, the club’s president, said, “I think if people knew of our efforts, not just for athletics, but for groups such as band, the IHS Players and the Student Council, we’d get more helpers. I know there are a lot of parents with younger students who might be willing to help if they’re aware of the projects we do.”
In 2013-14, the Booster Club has 54 businesses and 15 individuals who have joined the club or provided other financial support.
The corporate sponsors get banners that are displayed at home football and basketball games. Their financial support is invaluable, Ware, Sigg and Toney agreed.
But it’s the manpower the club could use most.
At each home football game, the Booster Club has set up a hamburger stand outside the stadium as one of the group’s primary fundraisers. They also sell T-shirts and other IHS-marked apparel.

THE BOOSTER Club’s most recent purchase was made with an eye toward increasing the group’s fund-raising ability.
A portable trailer can hold many of the essentials for the group’s hamburger feeds and other activities at the home football games.
“Eventually, we’d like to get it where we can take the trailer to road games, too, or other school events,” Sigg said. Corporate donors may also soon be sought to advertise on the enclosed trailer.
The Booster Club is eager to increase its presence during basketball games.
But such plans need helpers.
It only takes a few to use the trailer and man the food and souvenir sales, Sigg noted, but it’s frequently the same members who must do so over and over, ironically preventing them from watching their children perform on the athletic field.
“We’d like to watch our kids, too,” she said.
“Being a member doesn’t take much time,” Ware said. “We don’t meet monthly or anything. It’s usually just show up to help.”
Families can join the Booster Club for an annual $30 fee. To assist in other ways, contact the Booster Club at 365-4715.

THE BOOSTER Club works in league with each of the student groups.
Club members approach each of the student groups at the start of each school year to determine if there are any wants or needs they cannot afford with their modest budgets.
“We won’t buy uniforms,” Ware said, “and we let parents do the team meals.”
The assistance is a two-way street.
High school cheerleaders, for example, provide a vital assist by approaching corporate sponsors each year for the Boosters. Other groups may man the food booths in exchange for a monetary donation.
“We all help each other,” Toney said.
Likewise, the Booster Club avoids selling the same food products as those sold at football game concession stands.
“Those are student groups, too, raising money,” Sigg noted. “They don’t need our competition.”
Martin Bambick, Iola High’s athletics director, also visits frequently with the club.
“He’s our connection to the school,” Sigg said. “Communication has been great.”

THE BOOSTER Club will be at Thursday’s football season finale, dubbed “Pack The Stands.”
The first 100 diners who buy a meal deal will get a free T-shirt.
The project is co-sponsored by Iola Insurance Associates.
Other businesses help in other ways than financial.
“Sonic Drive-In has donated buns for our booth,” Ware said. “There are so many aspects. We just need helpers, now.”