Page 4 - MidWeek Central - May 4, 2022

4 MAY 4, 2022
New Organization In Wahiawā Assists Youngsters With Accessing Athletics
FROM PAGE 1
hand out to their own players or give to whoever needs it in Wahiawā.
lunch tickets, and we’ll have them sell tickets individually. Or, the Tony Group Autoplex has been really supportive and they donate free car wash tickets. The kids will sell those for $15 and 100% of that goes to them,” explains Fanene.
team mom to a nonprofit or- ganization,” says Fanene.
It works as an exchange — Fanene and her team coor- dinate fundraising opportuni- ties, and the kids who are part of their program participate to receive funding for their re- spective sport.
“For football games here in Wahiawā, we’ll hold a conces- sion stand. It has really helped us to raise funds. I mean, each time we do the concession we’re able to sponsor three additional kids,” says Fanene.
Beyond raising funds, Self-Sponsored Sports looks to be a place of en- richment for its kids. Fanene puts a big emphasis on com- munity service, going so far as to host a food pantry in her own garage. This extends to the players as well, many of whom are in need beyond sports funding.
“Especially during COVID, we had a huge influx of kids in need,” says Fanene. “From there it grew from being only one football team, to noticing that a lot of the teams were having a hard time with par- ents being able to make pay- ments.”
However, it’s not a con- stant, reliable stream of mon- ey. Self-Sponsored Sports has to pivot to problem-solve when need increases, as it in- evitably will. This season it sponsored 13 kids and count- ing through a wide-range of fundraisers from poi mochi sales to selling baked goods in a booth donated by Wahiawā ‘Ohana Market.
Fanene hopes to shape Self-Sponsored Sports into an organization that helps youth to thrive in sports and be- yond. Over the past month, a self-defense teacher has been donating classes three times a week. It is also developing a bodyboarding team.
Despite only being about a year old, Self-Sponsored Sports has maintained a long list of partnerships with or- ganizations like Aloha Har- vest, which donates food for the teams to fundraise with,
“If funds are down and we have kids who need to indi- vidually fundraise for them- selves, we’ll do like plate
“We don’t know if they have food at home. If they come to the field and they ask us, they always have food to take, and that’s how distribu- tion started,” she says.
Monetary donations are always appreciated, Fanene says. For info, search for Self-Sponsored Sports on In- stagram and Facebook.
(Inset) Pictured (from left) are Kyluni Andrews, Kyleigh Fanene, Kyla Andrews and Jaiden Francis of Wahiawā-based Self-Sponsored Sports shown raising funds. (Above) (Front row, from left) Kyluni and Kyla Andrews and Kyleigh Fanene, (back row, from left) Quickson and Blaine Andrews and Kimberly “Aulani” Fanene participate in a recent Self-Sponsored Sports fundraising event. PHOTOS COURTESY KIMBERLY “AULANI” FANENE
Hawaii’s Most Trusted Movers Since 1968
Moving Hawaii into the future.
Call us for all your moving and storage needs!
100% Employee Owned
808.456.4200 • info@mdyerglobal.com
98-054 Kuleana Road, Pearl City
Now Hiring!
“COVID’s not going away.
what now?”
Let’s keep wearing masks when it makes sense, stay home when we’re sick and stay up to date on vaccines and boosters. It’s our best shot to stay safe.
OurBestShotHawaii.org
A message from the Hawai‘i State Department of Health.
PACKING MATERIALS FOR SALE!