Community chips in to help students

When Bob Seims needed donations for the Warriors' golf cart, the community responded. When activities director Doug Bean needed some steaks for a fund-raiser, MTA offered help. Those are just two cases of the community rallying for kids, Bean said, and not just at Wasilla High School.

"The money set aside for kids is dwindling every day, and without the help of these businesses and individuals, it'd be tough for kids these days. It's already tough," Bean said. "We really appreciate the community."

A perfect example is an event Bean has scheduled for Nov. 1 at American Legion Post 35. He hosts a steak feed every year to raise money for "kids in dire straits," he said.

"MTA and MTA Wireless donated all the steaks and the American Legion donated all their space, their time, their effort. All we have to do is raise money for kids," Bean said. "And the money isn't just for athletics. It's to help someone go to Close Up if they couldn't afford to, or buy a musical instrument if they can't afford one.

"I've been around 20 years, and the same people give and give and give. People like Matthewses at the American Legion. They've helped kids for 20 years at the VFW, the AMVETS, the American Legion," Bean said. "People like Bob Seims, like Ralph and Sharon Kilbourne. I'd hate to see what would happen if people like that quit working for the kids.

"Through thick and thin, the community has been there for kids, and with money as tight as it is for these kids, it's more important than ever," Bean said.

The support ranges from free steaks to providing Porta-potties at home games, Bean said, as Shamrock Septic donates them to the school.

"A lot of these people, they don't even have kids in school, but they want to help the community," Bean said. "They donate thousands of dollars each year, to all the schools, not just here at Wasilla, and that helps kids out."