Purple Out raises funds for scholarships and more
The Purple Out is the theme for the Sept. 22 football game for the second year in a row.
The event raises money for The Strawbridge Foundation, a charity assisting financially challenged students by offering scholarships, school supplies, field trip money and many other things.
Mostly, the Strawbridge foundation helps students in the VICC (Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation) program, a 4,300+ student program offering education opportunities in school that some people might not get in their home environment.
“The theme of the football game is not only to support the Strawbridge Foundation, but to support him [Lawrence]. Purple was his favorite color,”
— Andrew Teague
The Strawbridge Foundation gets its name from a Lafayette Lancer, and shining example of the VICC program’s mission: Lawrence Strawbridge.
A part of the VICC program since first grade, Strawbridge was an excellent athlete and student, competing in football, wrestling and track and field. He was also a lovable person who made friends in all of his various clubs and activities.
Strawbridge and his mother, Tyra Shannon, were murdered in their home on August 2, 2016, and the Strawbridge Foundation was created in response.
“Lawrence Strawbridge was part of the ROTC unit, we sat next to each other my freshman year his sophomore year and made model airplanes together,” sophomore Andrew Teague said.
Because of ROTC’s involvement in Strawbridge’s life, the group was more than happy to help the foundation by running the sales booth.
“They [The Strawbridge Foundation] came. We were asked and I accepted,” Teague said.
In fact, the foundation’s purple colors and message isn’t only the the hearts of ROTC, it’s the football theme as well. Because of this, and to show support, ROTC is sitting at a fundraising booth during lunches this week.
During lunch shifts and at the football game tomorrow night, various purple items will be for sale in the name of Strawbridge and the cause he and his favorite color now represent.
Purple beaded necklaces are $1, specified football ones are going for $2. Temporary tattoos are $1 a piece. However, both a temporary tattoo and two purple necklaces, along with a T-shirt, are $10. Bandanas are $3, and Gray/Purple wristbands sell for $3, as well.
“The theme of the football game is not only to support the Strawbridge Foundation, but to support him [Lawrence]. Purple was his favorite color,” Teague said.
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