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June 19, 2009

Local youth donates equipment, funds to YMCA

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — When 14-year-old Jacob Stern chose his Bar Mitzvah project, his love of sports was his inspiration, which will benefit other youth for years to come.

“I have played YMCA sports since I was in kindergarten,” Stern said. “Now other kids will be able to grow up to be better athletes, learn about teamwork and have that experience to play and be a part of a team.”

Stern donated funds and sporting equipment to the YMCA as his project. The Bar Mitzvah, in the Jewish faith, is a celebration of when a youth becomes responsible for their actions — a coming of age ceremony. While a project isn’t required, Bar Mitzvah projects are encouraged to provide the youth with a deeper understanding of Jewish meaning and to highlight the importance of giving back to the community and others.

Stern, who has played YMCA soccer, football basketball and other sports, and is now playing soccer and football, said when deciding to donate the equipment, he thought of items guests at his Bar Mitzvah could bring to the ceremony.

“The YMCA is here for the people of the community; it’s a public service to the people,” Director Larry Cornett said. “When volunteers help with work donations or whatever, it’s a cause that helps a lot of people in the community.”

Cornett said of the 450 youth involved this spring in the soccer program, up to 20 percent of them received a scholarship or some sort of financial assistance so they could participate.

“A lot wouldn’t be able to afford shoes, shin guards and other equipment that’s helpful for them,” Cornett said. “With this donation, we will have some equipment we can give them and some money to use to help them. That way, they can participate along with their friends from school and not say they can’t afford it. It’s just a piece of the whole puzzle. We’re very grateful, and I think it was a great project.”

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