Esperanza Chess Club Fund
Donation protected
I am the chess coach at my elementary school. I chose to teach at this school because I wanted to have a lifetime impact on these kids. In many ways, my students start a step behind others. I don't need to tell you the impact poverty has on children. You've clearly seen it with your own eyes. That said, most of our students have parents and teachers who truly care about them.
Chess is what I know. I've played it for years, and I introduced it to my son. He fell in love with the game the same way I did. Recently, I had the amazing opportunity of starting a chess club at my school. I mostly came out of pocket to purchase chess boards and pieces. Our Student Council pitched in for the chess clocks. Last year, we got 84 students excited about playing chess, but my players played in exactly zero tournaments. This year our numbers have dropped, but we still have a committed bunch of players.
This fund drive is "All about the tournaments" as I say in the video. Chess tournaments have an incredibly unique feel about them. They are all-day events that require hours of focus. Parents and coaches must endure the elements as their players face off inside - typically in a cafeteria. As players walk out of each round of games, they find themselves with 5-55 minutes of free time before their next game - depending on how quickly their game ended. I want my students to have that experience. I want them to meet players from around the state. I want them to build friendships with people who are different in some ways but totally the same in so many other ways - especially in their love for the game of chess. They can toss a basketball or a frisbee around; they can continue to hone their chess skills with instruction from their coach; they can sit and chat with their parents for longer periods of time than they have in the previous months. I've seen it happen. It is these tournaments that keep the players coming back to Chess Club. The more you decide to fund our club, the more players I can enter into these tournaments.
Time is of the essence. I want my players to participate in their first tournament in December, 2015. I would like them to participate in monthly tournaments through the end of the school year, if possible. To make this happen, our club would need $1.500. I am confident that, with your support, we can reach this goal.
Imagine this - students who rarely have a chance to leave their neighborhood - and even when they do - it is even more rare that they interact with others their age. Imagine this also, students who struggle in class changing their minds about their seriousness of school all because they are playing chess. It happens. I have seen it with my own eyes.
Chess has a huge impact on students. Tournaments feed the desire to play. They are the lifeblood of a successful chess program. They make players come to Chess Club regularly so they can keep learning how to play better. Give these amazing students an opportunity of a lifetime - fund tournaments for our Chess Club.
Chess is what I know. I've played it for years, and I introduced it to my son. He fell in love with the game the same way I did. Recently, I had the amazing opportunity of starting a chess club at my school. I mostly came out of pocket to purchase chess boards and pieces. Our Student Council pitched in for the chess clocks. Last year, we got 84 students excited about playing chess, but my players played in exactly zero tournaments. This year our numbers have dropped, but we still have a committed bunch of players.
This fund drive is "All about the tournaments" as I say in the video. Chess tournaments have an incredibly unique feel about them. They are all-day events that require hours of focus. Parents and coaches must endure the elements as their players face off inside - typically in a cafeteria. As players walk out of each round of games, they find themselves with 5-55 minutes of free time before their next game - depending on how quickly their game ended. I want my students to have that experience. I want them to meet players from around the state. I want them to build friendships with people who are different in some ways but totally the same in so many other ways - especially in their love for the game of chess. They can toss a basketball or a frisbee around; they can continue to hone their chess skills with instruction from their coach; they can sit and chat with their parents for longer periods of time than they have in the previous months. I've seen it happen. It is these tournaments that keep the players coming back to Chess Club. The more you decide to fund our club, the more players I can enter into these tournaments.
Time is of the essence. I want my players to participate in their first tournament in December, 2015. I would like them to participate in monthly tournaments through the end of the school year, if possible. To make this happen, our club would need $1.500. I am confident that, with your support, we can reach this goal.
Imagine this - students who rarely have a chance to leave their neighborhood - and even when they do - it is even more rare that they interact with others their age. Imagine this also, students who struggle in class changing their minds about their seriousness of school all because they are playing chess. It happens. I have seen it with my own eyes.
Chess has a huge impact on students. Tournaments feed the desire to play. They are the lifeblood of a successful chess program. They make players come to Chess Club regularly so they can keep learning how to play better. Give these amazing students an opportunity of a lifetime - fund tournaments for our Chess Club.
Organizer and beneficiary
Dave Hatton
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ
Cathy Romero
Beneficiary
