What began in 1995 as an Edmond North High School student-led initiative to raise money for a teacher fighting cancer has evolved into BALTO Week, a highly anticipated annual fundraiser, benefiting one local nonprofit each year. BALTO stands for Bring A Light To Others.
Throughout its impressive 20-year history, BALTO Week has raised more than $2 million for BALTO recipients, including Special Care, Inc., The Children’s Center, Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma Brain Tumor Foundation, Victory Junction Camp, Children’s Hospital Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/Sooner Chapter, March of Dimes, and Hearts for Hearing.
The 2016 BALTO Week selection committee has just announced Fields & Futures as their 2016 recipient, with all monies raised earmarked for construction of new athletic fields at Roosevelt Middle School in South Oklahoma City. Says Brian Hunter, Edmond North StuCo Advisor, “Our BALTO Week selection committee invested significant time and emotional energy into this year’s application process. It is never easy to choose just one group and our team understood this is a big decision. There’s something about the Fields & Futures mission that really captured the heart of our students. They love knowing their support is going to help transform the campus at Roosevelt Middle School and, more importantly, give current and future Roosevelt students an opportunity to participate in athletics and enjoy the benefits of that experience. As Fields & Futures will tell you, it may start with a field but it becomes something much bigger before all is said and done.”
Tim McLaughlin, founder of Fields & Futures, says their organization is humbled and honored to be selected as this year’s BALTO recipient. Says McLaughlin, “To see a group of suburban high school students embrace the idea of helping improve athletic facilities for an inner-city middle school campus is a story all by itself. We are so impressed with the BALTO team and everything they represent. We will pull out all stops to make sure they know how much we value this partnership. It’s going to be an exciting five months.” Added McLaughlin, “I encourage everyone to go see Roosevelt Middle School athletic fields now, then come back next Spring and see the difference BALTO has made. They will leave a great legacy for future generations of Roosevelt students. With 11 completed fields now under our belt, we know firsthand the impact a new set of athletic fields can have on a school campus. I’m excited for the Roosevelt community, faculty and students. This will be a gift that keeps on giving.”
Says David Clark, principal of Roosevelt Middle School, “Anything we can do to show our students there is a big, caring world out there fighting for them is sure to have a lasting impact on our kids. We are excited to work with Fields & Futures and Edmond North to build a relationship with our school community that is sure to impact Roosevelt students and families for many years to come.”
Edmond North High School students will begin immediately to execute various fundraising activities and events, all leading up to BALTO Week in February 2016. The final total raised will be announced at a student assembly on Friday, February 12, 2016.