Fundraiser seeks to benefit St. Marys Area junior high softball team
A fundraiser is currently underway to provide greater access to the St. Marys Area junior high softball team’s games this season. Shannon Eckels, a teacher at St. Marys Area Middle School, started the fundraiser through the website DonorsChoose, with the intent of being able to purchase a Mevo Start all-in-one live streaming camera and portable charger for the team to use during their games.
Eckels explained that she came up with the idea for the fundraiser while talking with Dominic Surra, assistant principal at St. Marys Area Middle School, who is also one of the coaches for the junior high softball team.
“We thought it would be really nice to have a camera that we can use anywhere there is cellular service to stream the girls’ softball games. Many places that we play don’t have Wi-Fi capabilities, and we know there are grandparents and other family members that want to watch the games. I have used DonorsChoose for many years to acquire materials for my students in the classroom. I noticed that they recently were highlighting funding opportunities for middle school sports programs, so I decided to take advantage of that platform. We have had some of the parents, grandparents, and aunts of girls on the team donate so far. We even had a parent of a 2020 graduate and past coach donate.”
The equipment has a total cost of $526.22, and according to the DonorsChoose page, the fundraiser was still $177 short of that goal as of Wednesday afternoon.
“I will get a notification when the goal is reached on the project, and then donations will stop,” Eckels said. “If more funds than necessary are raised, then they go into my DonorsChoose account and can be applied to future projects. I have had that happen a couple times in the past. I then use those funds to pay it forward to other teachers in our district that have projects up.”
The goal is to be able to purchase the camera and adaptor ahead of the start of the upcoming season. It will be able to be used for future seasons as well.
“This camera will help us bring the game to those that can’t be there in person due to health worries, work obligations, other children playing, or any other reasons,” Eckels said.
She explained that this particular camera was chosen because of its ability to steam live video through a cellular signal.
“Using an iPad to stream the softball games isn’t going to work,” Eckels said. “I have seen the Mevo camera used in travel ball tournaments, and the video quality is very good. This camera could also be used to stream other school events like track and field, baseball, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, etc.”
The camera will need to be set up prior to each game, and then the game will need to be streamed using someone’s cellular phone data. However, no one will actually need to operate the camera during the game.
“Once the camera is set up and focused, then it will run on its own,” Eckels said. “That is a really nice feature of this camera and makes it the ideal way to live stream a softball game. The video angle of the camera is great for the width of the field.”
As for the junior high softball team, Eckels explained that the squad is made up of seventh and eighth graders at St. Marys
Area Middle School.
“They didn’t get to have a season last year like all of the other athletes during spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic and extended school closure. This is the first school ball season for many of the girls on the team,” Eckels said. “Many of the girls are veteran softball players that have had success with St. Marys Little League All-Stars as Eastern Regional champions. Some of the girls are also new to the game of softball and are looking forward to learning the game of softball with their friends. They are a wonderful group of young ladies that strive to do their best as student-athletes at SMAMS. I have had the honor of teaching many of the girls, and I can’t say enough about their character and strong work ethic. These girls are wonderful, and I’m so proud of them. Cheyenne Bothun is the head coach of the junior high softball team, and she brings a wealth of experience from being a collegiatelevel softball player too. I really think this will be a wonderful season for the girls, the program, and the fans to watch.”
Eckels added that everyone is very grateful to those who have made it possible for the team to have a spring season this year.
“Our administrators, athletic office, school nurses, coaches, parents, and players have all worked together through every obstacle to ensure the kids can play, learn, and have a safe and fun season,” Eckels said. “We can’t wait to watch them on the field and use the camera to bring their games to those that can’t be there in person.”
To learn more about the DonorsChoose project, or to donate, visit https://www.donorschoose.org/project/ be-there-without-being-there/5470024/.