Why We Care is an inspiring 7-minute short film, created and produced for Fields & Futures by Lampstand Story Co., reminding viewers how sports have the power to positively impact communities and lives by giving young students something to believe in, belong to, and build on for the rest of their lives.
Sharing stories of how sports impacted their life and why they care about the Fields & Futures mission, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, radio personality Sam Mayes, Star Spencer alumni Ayana and Duce Talley, and former U.S. Grant “Lady General” and community leader Brenda Hernandez offer messages of encouragement and support to four young OKCPS students, letting them know there is an entire city cheering them on, in school and in life.
Why We Care will be available for on-demand viewing at beginning Monday, November 9, with additional campaign elements added throughout November-December.
This campaign kicks off an effort to raise $3,000,000 to complete funding of a $10,000,000 field maintenance fund, ensuring each of the 59 OKCPS fields, courts, and tracks constructed by Fields & Futures will be carefully maintained and available for future generations of OKCPS students and families.
Says Fields & Futures co-founder Tim McLaughlin, “From the first set of fields built at Jefferson Middle School in 2012, we committed to maintaining what we build and appreciate OKCPS leadership working with us to design a field maintenance plan that gives each complex the maintenance attention it deserves, while giving our donors the assurance their investment in our city’s youth will pay a lifetime of returns.”
Added McLaughlin, “This next $3,000,000, combined with a $1,000,000 match currently available, will get us to our total. This means every new donation secured will be multiplied by one-third until we achieve the full match. For example, a $300 donation earns an additional $100. We hope to have the maintenance program fully funded by December 2022 and greatly appreciate everyone’s support.”
For thousands of Oklahoma City children, having access to quality playing fields and organized sports was not always an option. Without those opportunities, they grew up missing out on the important life lessons learned through team sports, as well as the physical and emotional support gained through the experience. By working with OKCPS Athletics to restore and build outdoor facilities at each middle school and high school campus in the district, Fields & Futures – along with a committed group of resource and program partners – is able to give more students the no-cost opportunities they deserve, while giving them a proven motivator to go to school, stay in school, and, most importantly, graduate.
Special Gift Announcement
As part of this campaign launch, Fields & Futures is excited to announce a major gift from Oklahoma City-based Lopez Foods, Inc., in support of U.S. Grant High School. With a new synthetic turf softball and baseball field now under construction, combined with the recently completed football/soccer field and track, the Lopez Foods Sports Complex at U.S. Grant High School is scheduled for completion by Fall 2021.
Says John Patrick Lopez, president of Lopez Foods, “We care greatly about the work Fields & Futures is doing to give all students improved access to team sports. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to play the sports they love and benefit from those experiences. Everyone at Lopez Foods appreciates the investments being made to provide a quality education and school experience for our city’s youth. On behalf of our Lopez Foods employees and staff, we are proud to add our name to the list of partners committed to this mission.”
Visit the Why We Care campaign page to make your #ForeverGift and to let us know why you care about the Fields & Futures mission of using sports to build brighter futures for our city’s children.