Bantam team members apply red paint to the hydrants and yellow paint to the curbs during their service project in the Beverly neighborhood in Chicago on Saturday, October 5th . More photos available on the Travel-Bantam AA team page.
On Saturday, October 5th, the Bantam CS Minor Team coached by AJ Hiernacki performed a service project on behalf of St. Jude for the Beverly community in Chicago. The team members painted fire hydrants and curbs with the aim of improving fire safety for the neighborhood. Fresh paint on the hydrants makes it easier for the firefighters to spot them in an emergency, and could help save lives. Bright yellow paint on the curbs helps prevent cars from being parked too close to gain access.
The Bantam team partnered with retired Beverly resident Bill Zopp to scour a half square mile area of Beverly. The boys broke into three teams and tried to best the others in painting the most hydrants, leapfrogging each other as they worked their way down the streets. The boys finished 38 hydrants in less than three hours, a new record according to Zopp. He supplied the paint, brushes, brooms and other supplies, including a liberal amount of paint thinner when the
“It was actually kind of fun,” said team member Luke McGinty. The boys got a good workout walking, and in some cases running, to the next hydrant. The team enjoyed a pizza lunch afterwards, and then skated through a full practice that afternoon.
“This was a huge help and I really appreciate the help from the boys,” said Zopp. Numerous residents stopped to thank the boys as the completed their work.
In addition to helping the community, the event served as a team building exercise for the players.
Tag(s): News
