Greetings. My name is Brad Hiles. I’m a volunteer Throws Coach at Vashon High School in St. Louis, Missouri. This fundraiser is for the benefit of Jacobi Green, a recent graduate of Vashon and a great young man. We’re raising funds to send Jacobi, his mom, and his new college coach to the AAU Junior Olympics in North Carolina. Here’s the back story.

Among his many talents, Jacobi has a lightning fast arm capable of hurling a discus long distances. In May, he won the Missouri High School Class 3A state championship in the discus. Then, in June, Jacobi began competing in AAU track meets, eventually throwing 176’, which is 8 feet farther than his state championship throw. His efforts at the AAU meets have qualified him for the AAU’s Junior Olympics in Greensboro, NC — not only in the discus, but also in the shot put.

This is a great honor and the opportunity of a lifetime. That may sound like a coach’s “hype,” but it’s true. The age cut off for the Junior Olympics is 18. Jacobi turns 19 next May. This is his last opportunity to compete on the AAU’s national stage. Many of the country’s best high school discus throwers and shot putters will compete at this meet. It is a national stage that will bring out the best in a great competitor.

We’re seeking to raise $3,000 for Jacobi, his mom, Jacque Foster, and his coach, Darnez Stokes, to travel to Greensboro. To save money, they plan to rent a vehicle rather than fly, but there will also be meals, hotel rooms and gasoline over a period of 5 days (Monday, July 29 thru Friday, August 2).

Without donations from friends like you, this trip will not be possible. Every little bit helps. Please donate as you feel led.

Kindest regards, Brad Hiles.