Lacrosse Charitable Works as part of our Leadership Development
The Brighton lacrosse program is committed to developing well rounded young men. A part of that committment is to develop strong leaders on and off the field. As such, we try to include opportunities in player development that include 'servant leadership'. We function under the assumption that '“Serving others prepares you to lead others.” We try to provide opportunities for our players to serve as a mode of developing their own leadership skills. Below are some of the programs we partner in. Each player can choose their level of participation. As coaches, we recognize that we reside in a very supportive community and giving back to our community as a means of 'learning to lead' is imperative.
2020 Livingston County Youth Organization of the Year
We are humbled that the Livingston County United Way has selected the Brighton High School Boy's Lacrosse program as their Youth Organization of the year. On 3/11/20, we were recognized as such at the 'Spirit of Livingston' Breakfast. Though the award is the result of all of the players, we were able to have a small group there to represent the program. It is our hope to continue to mentor servant leadership in our program.
Preseason Scrimmages' Can Good Drive
The Brighton High School lacrosse program hosts preseason scrimmages on the first Saturday that the MHSAA scrimmages are allowed. Fifteen varsity programs compete in the morning followed by fifteen JV programs in the afternoon. In all, there are 30 teams competing utilizing all three of Brighton Area School's turf fields. With average rosters of 20, the scrimmages bring nearly 600 high school athletes to our campuses for the day. All teams are asked to have their rosters bring 3 non-perishable food items and the items are presented to Gleaners as one donation on behalf of all programs that paritcipate. The scrimmages began at the beginning of the 2017 season and both years, 2017 and 2018, have done a great deal in replenishing the supplies of our local food banks as their busy winter time comes to an end.
2025 Preseason Donations: 1462 lbs of food donated totaling 1097 meals
2024 Preseason Donations: 1290 lbs of food donated totaling 1548 meals
2023- Preseason Donations: 1279 lbs of food donated totaling 1602 meals
2022- Preseason Donations: 913 lbs of food donated totalling 758 meals
2021- Amount not recorded
2020- Scrimmages Cancelled for Corona Virus- (total donated still_______)
2019 Preseason Donations: 1335 lbs. of donated food equaling 1108 meals.
2018 Preseason Donatons: 1632 lbs. of donated food equaling 1354 meals.
2017 Preseason Donations: Amount not recorded.
Livingston County Severe Weather Network Assistance
The Severe Weather Network (SWN) partners with community organizations, agencies, and faith communities to provide emergency, overnight refuge during the winter months for people experiencing homelessness in Livingston County. SWN also connects indivduals to community action agencies committed to providing the services necessary to assist homeless individuals with the transition into affordable housing.
The Brighton High School lacrosse program has assisted SWN in moving the cots and personal belongings between host sites. Our lacrosse program plays a very small, role in helping SWN but we are proud to help and support the work that they do.
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Livingston 'Day of Caring'
The Livingston County United Way has sponsored the Day of Caring since 2001 and the project has grown every year. In 2018, the Brighton lacrosse program had a small contingent of players help with some work at the home of a disabled veteran and at a home of another county resident in need. At the end of the 2018 event, a handful of players, parents, and coaches returned to the home of the disabled veteran and performed additional painting. The efforts of the groups earned special recognition, and a grant, for their work. A certificate of recognition is proudly displayed in the trophy case in the athletic wing of the school. We hope to participate again in 2019. The event is usually in the midst of the the early part of fall sports, but we are hoping to once again participate in this event.
Community Assistance
As we learn to engrain servant leadership into the fabric of our lacrosse culture, we are proud to respond to requests for help as the needs arise. In 2018, our lacrosse players responded to 'calls to action' on a number of occassions. Most recently, over the Christmas break, there was a need for manpower as the local police and fire departments coordinated a project to benefit the surviving family of a teen suicide. We amassed a group of players to assist in their efforts.
Tim Tebow Foundations' Night to Shine
The Brighton High School lacrosse team, in collaboration with the Football program, has joined the Tim Tebow Foundation's Night to Shine program for the last two years, 2017 & 2018. The Foundation brings the Prom-like evening to our special needs community. It is one of the most amazing evenings to volunteer at. We hope to continue our partnership with the Tim Tebow Foundation in the years to come.
