Wheaton Student Organizes Fundraiser for American Diabetes Association

Shannon Moran, 12, lost her grandfather Stephen Kirkby in 2010 to complications of diabetes. After watching his struggles with the disease throughout her young life, Shannon wanted to find a way to help others with diabetes. On Saturday, October 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. she’s hosting a “Kicking Diabetes” event at Edison Middle School in Wheaton where participants can match their soccer skills against other players their age. The event will include prizes, music from a DJ and a bake sale to help raise funds for the American Diabetes Association.
 
“I attended a leadership camp over the summer and was encouraged to take initiative as a leader in my community,” Shannon said. “I decided to create this event that combines my love of soccer with my desire to raise money and increase people’s awareness of diabetes. I’m also concerned about the increase in Type 2 diabetes among kids my age,” Shannon said.

"I love soccer and my friends love soccer. So I chose a day of soccer as my fundraiser. On Oct 27th I am hosting a soccer skills competition and some friendly soccer games at Edison Middle School after the Monster Mash Dash. We are inviting elementary and middle school kids to come try a skills contest and play some soccer. We will be giving them information about diabetes, hosting a diabetes friendly bake sale, having a great DJ (Mr. Spontak from Whittier), a raffle with all sorts of donated prizes including North & South gear. Registration is on my website and it is an optional donation to the ADA.All proceeds are going to the ADA, my great sponsors are covering all my costs.
 
The event is open to all elementary and middle school students, “even if they aren’t soccer players,” Shannon said. Kids ages 11-14 will compete from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., and kids 10 and younger will play from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Activities will include a soccer skills contest, matching skills at dribbling, juggling and shooting as well as enjoying some friendly pick-up games. And, according to Shannon, there will be “tons of prizes.”

Information courtesy of a press release

A $15 donation is requested but not required to participate, and all proceeds will go to the American Diabetes Association. Edison Middle School is located at 1125 S. Wheaton Avenue in Wheaton. For questions or for more information about the event, visit http://www.kickingdiabetes.org/ or contact Mary Beth Moran at 630-292-5407 or mbmoran@wans.net.