Dear Supporters,

On behalf of the Bishop Feild Elementary Athletic Committee, we are reaching out to seek your support in acquiring a 30+ passenger bus to benefit our student-athletes for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond.

Situated in the heart of downtown, St. John’s, Bishop Feild Elementary caters to a diverse and dynamic student population. For our students in Grades 3 through 6, participating in school athletics offers much more than just physical activity; it serves as a vital outlet for personal development, fosters a sense of belonging, and provides crucial support during these formative elementary years.

Unfortunately, many of our families encounter significant transportation challenges that hinder students from attending home games, away games, tournaments, and off-site training & events. To promote true inclusivity, we must eliminate the barriers between our inner-city student population and the various athletic facilities throughout our region, most importantly, our very own gymnasium.

As the volunteer Athletic Director for Bishop Feild Elementary, I have spent the last several years trying to grow and cultivate the athletic opportunities at Bishop Feild; trying to promote a healthy and inclusive lifestyle for our students. With a strong and dedicated volunteer team we have succeeded in so many ways, from programming to fundraising, we have put our nose to the grind and produced something the students can be proud of. Despite the success, year after year it became evident that we had a population of students that were not availing to any of the programs on account of access to transportation. Public transportation does not align with the destinations and scheduled times for practices, events, etc. and therefore many students never get the opportunity to participate.

Why Your Support is Essential:

Safety & Reliability: A dedicated school bus guarantees that all athletes have a safe, supervised, and dependable means of transportation to their athletics, regardless of their family’s vehicle and transportation access.

Promoting Inclusion: No child should miss out due to a lack of transportation. This vehicle will ensure that every student, no matter their socioeconomic status, has the opportunity to be part of any and all athletic teams.

Strengthening Community: Traveling together as a team fosters camaraderie and pride, enhancing the positive social-emotional impacts of youth sports.

Revitalization of Bishop Feild Athletic Programming:

Over the past three years, the Bishop Feild Athletic Committee has completely transformed the school's athletic offerings into a vibrant and diverse program featuring a wide range of sports such as Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Futsal, Track & Field, and Volleyball. This remarkable turnaround is fuelled by strong community engagement and successful partnerships, including the designation as a Toronto Blue Jays' Jays Care Affiliate School. The committee has also conducted highly effective fundraising initiatives, including the annual Bishop Feild 'Chase The Fox' Invitational Trail Running Event in Pippy Park, which welcomed several new participating schools this year, along with the Annual Basketballooza Tournament. Both events are crucial in raising funds for athletic equipment for all Feildian students.

Seeking Support for Continued Growth:

To maintain and enhance these essential programs, the committee is reaching out for assistance from those who share a passion for athletics, healthy living, and youth development, particularly for underserved communities. The goal is to secure a reliable 30+ passenger bus for student transportation. This bus will operate 5 days per week between Bishop Feild Elementary, inner-city locations, and, when needed, other athletic facilities and schools. Parked and stored at the school, this bus will serve as a platform, both stationary and in transit, to highlight the generosity, support, and dedication of like-minded donors and sponsors. As the Athletic Director, I will be overseeing the operation, safety, insurance and fuel related charges as well as driving duties for our athletes.

Our aim is to raise the necessary funds to purchase/acquire and maintain a 30+ passenger bus that will serve the Bishop Feild community for many years ahead. We invite you to join us in this mission.

You can make a direct contribution through our Official GoFundMe (please specify "Bishop Feild Athletic Committee - Van Fund") or reach out to the Athletic Committee Director to explore sponsorship opportunities, such as featuring your corporate logo and messaging on the vehicle.

Thank you for your time and for investing in the health, safety, and future of our inner-city youth.

Warm regards,

Michael Whittle

Athletic Director

Bishop Feild Athletic Committee

44 Bond Street, St. John's, NL

A1C 1S6