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As I shopped on Friday with about a million other people throughout the Chicagoland area, I asked myself: “Do people still shop for others on the so-called ‘Black Friday’ or does everyone just go out and take advantage of the deals for themselves?”
Not going to lie – I was out there for a couple things I needed. I’m a big fan of gift cards and money unless I know there is something a person really wants. Some people will say those are impersonal gifts, and I’ll be the first to say it’s personal if that person has to stand in line to return your special gift without you knowing. Gift cards and money tend to buy twice the amount after the holidays anyways.
But back to the point.
After I asked myself that, I received a phone call from former Providence soccer coach and current Lyons assistant girls soccer coach Andy Newcomb.
He was calling me from ‘The Max’ in McCook where he and former Lyons boys soccer coach Alex Hernandez were running the annual 3-on-3 Holiday Classic to raise money for the Jenna Johnson Scholarship Fund.
Two years ago, the former all-state and Eclipse standout, who went on to captain the University of Miami women’s soccer team, died just four days from her 23rd birthday while helping others. On Dec. 18, 2005, her heart failed as she was training to run in the L.A. AIDS Marathon. She had just finished raising more than $6,000 for AIDS research.
To this day, Johnson's impact continues to be felt thanks to the help of Newcomb, Hernandez and countless others. Neither Newcomb or Hernandez had to give up their day off from school to help, but this event, which attracted more than 200 players from the area, is something they have donated hundreds of hours to since Johnson passed away.
And some times, all it takes is a phone call like that to remind you that no matter what’s going on, there is always a reason to be thankful.
To learn more about how you can help the Jenna Johnson Scholarship, please visit http://jennajohnson.org/
- Joe Trost
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