Hopeservations

She’s a Buc NOW, what about YOU?

She’s a BUC now! Learn how you can be a Buc TOO by clicking on the picture above or reading & clicking the link below!

HEY Y’ALL!!!

Hope here and so this Hopeservations is a little different!!! I feel like I’ve been saying that quite a bit lately but it’s kinda true – they all HAVE been a little different but that’s what is so great about Hopeservations! They can be about ANY little Hopeful Observation we find in life!

Okay – so here goes…

As many of you know, I am a sports mom. Volleyball & Basketball! As you also may know, I have been at my high school, Mainland since 1995! Yeah that’s right…1995…and no, that wasn’t even my first year teaching! I have been there so long, I’m pretty sure when I get cut – I bleed blue & gold.

Let me tell you about Mainland High School. It is a beautiful campus, right in the heart of Daytona Beach, Florida. It sits on one the busiest and most esteemed corners, International Speedway Blvd and Clyde Morris Blvd. We are within walking distance of NASCAR and WE are HOME of the BUCCANEERS.

We have had amazing sports programs over the years. Our football program alone has been to state 25 years running, we have many former students in the NFL, *head nods to Ricardo Allen, Lenard Williams & many more* We have a boat load of boys playing NCAA D1 football. Our basketball program graduated Vince Carter and has been number one in the state in years past…and I could go on and on about Track & Field…etcetcetc…then there is professional golfer, Matt Every. We can even claim Phil Dalhausser, Olympic Gold Medalist and Pro Beach Volleyball player to our long list of esteemed athletes.

Needless to say, sports are HUGE at our school!

All of them except, GIRLS VOLLEYBALL!!!

Soooo let me give you a little more background…

We are also a Title 1 School with 70% of the student population on free & reduced lunch! We are considered the “disadvantaged” school in the Daytona Beach community. Which is NONSENSE because we have the HUGE advantage of being like a family and with the HEART of one too. But yes, we are a poorer socio economic school and so for some students, sports are what keeps them connected!

As a result of the financial standing, our volleyball program has historically struggled to compete with surrounding high schools because our girls come to high school with less exposure to travel and club sports. They simply can’t afford it. Many of the girls have never even played volleyball on any kind of competitive level prior to their 9th grade year.

Now Mainland’s coaching staff, Lauren Valle is working hard to change that volleyball culture. I’m a sport mom, who has worked at Mainland for 25 years and has supported that charge of change since Abby started in 2014 under Sandra Garner, former coach of the program AND who is directly responsible for getting my girls in to volleyball! She too worked tirelessly to change the climate prior to her handing over the ball to Lauren. I’m pleased to say that slowly but surely over the past years, there has been forward momentum to this change but it is slow progress!

And, it takes money!

Now – I’ve never used my blog for a fundraiser before but you know what, I have readers and some readers might be inclined to donate to something and this is certainly worthwhile!

Just so happens we are also very honored to announce Sadie made the Mainland High School Varsity Volleyball Team this 2019 school year as an incoming freshman!

She is a BUC now!!!

Which gets me to my biggest point!

Do you want to be a BUC too?!

In this day & age, there are so many requests for donations and we all have so many of our own responsibilities however, if anyone feels inclined to support Sadie and the MHS Bucs Girls Volleyball Program, we would be so grateful!

Just click the picture and/or link below and it will take to the donation page!

https://www.snap-raise.com/v2/fundraisers/95285/participants/5986962?share_type=sms&version=v2.2#/

Your donation, any size, would go toward transportation costs, uniforms, new equipment, end of year banquet – you name it.

FACT: Public school sports do not get funded by the schools and smaller teams, like us – do not have big booster programs, so it is up to our team to raise money to meet the team needs.

Having been a team mom during Abby’s years – I know how costly it was to run the program. Every little bit helps. I sure made lots of meals, sold lots of plates of spaghetti, concessions, parking at football games – you name it. So believe me when I say, WHATEVER you donate goes directly to a program in support of girls and trust that it gets well used! There is nothing frivolous being spent!

While we will struggle to raise $3000, other schools in the area won’t. However, please know – money raised here helps build a program that supports young girls from our area being able to continue their exposure to a sport they otherwise would not have had.

In many cases that is life altering.

Sadie’s original goal was $400 toward the team goal of $3000. She has already surpassed that because of amazing, awesome people like YOU and raised $650!

Even though we met our personal goal, we are team players…and the TEAM goal has not been met!

If you’re not able or incline, or think this Hope lady is NUTS…that’s okay too! It can’t hurt to ask and just knowing there are so many of you who have rooted our girls on from near & far, is TRULY support enough!

However, if you ARE incline, we will gratefully accept any donations.

From the bottom of the Dutton-Rich family heart, on behalf of the BUCCANEERS – we thank you and you will now be a part of something so much bigger!

You will be part of the BUCCANEER FAMILY!

A place where Buc Pride Never Dies!

…and as always,

Go in love,

4 Comments

  • Lynne

    Dear Hope,
    I just want to let you know you are an amazing inspiration in my life. Thank you for being the precious, courageous lovely, sweet woman you are. I’m so happy we crossed paths., The work of a higher power no doubt.
    Unfortunately, we have financial problems since I’m on disability and took a huge cut when I was too ill to perform my work as a Therapist. I’m sorry I’m unable to donate and I know you understand. I wish I could.

    Blessings 🙏⚓
    Lynne ⚓🤗🌻

    • Hope Elizabeth Dutton

      Awwww – Honey! You don’t even have to explain yourself! We all contribute in some way or another, emotionally, financially, physically. Your wonderful emotional support is support enough. When I am surrounded by friends and loved ones, who care – I’m a better person for my children. That’s support enough!!! ❤️⚓️

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