Making a difference beyond the mat: Waukon High School wrestling program gives to less fortunate through Operation Christmas Child
Giving their all, beyond the mat ... Members of the Waukon boys and girls wrestling teams are pictured above with the shoe boxes they filled with gifts and wrapped in support of the Operation Christmas Child initiative conducted each year by Samaritan’s Purse, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. This is the second year the wrestling squads have participated in the initiative but this year featured additional funding from a $250 Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials grant that was used to expand the group’s giving to a dozen gift boxes that will now be distributed to less fortunate children throughout the world through the Operation Christmas Child initiative. Submitted photo.
Giving all they can on the mat is an expectation for the Waukon High School boys and girls wrestling teams each season. But during each of the last two seasons, the giving for those two clubs has gone well beyond the mat to benefit many who are much less fortunate across the world, with this year’s giving going even further after pursuit of some additional assistance.
Second-year Waukon boys wrestling head coach Caleb Ferring has had his team take part in the Operation Christmas Child initiative conducted each year by Samaritan’s Purse, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. The initiative sends gift-filled shoeboxes created by volunteers to children in need around the world.
Knowing that teamwork is certainly a part of belonging to any athletic program, including the sport of wrestling, Coach Ferring wants his charges to realize that concept also carries over into everyday life. He wants to emphasize to those he guides that not only can teamwork be utilized in supporting teammates they form relationships with during practice and competition, but it can also be used to provide support to others they may not even know, especially those who may not be as fortunate.
“Teamwork is one of the core values of the Waukon wrestling program,” Coach Ferring said. “We define teamwork as building trust within our team, school, and community to serve a purpose greater than ourselves. We talk often about building up others, and participating in Operation Christmas Child has become a meaningful way for our wrestlers to support children in need.”
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