Jackston Wyrick plays football in the Union County Youth Football and Cheer Program, in place for Union County Students ages 5-11 who want to learn the fundamentals of football and cheer. These students also have the opportunity to learn sportsmanship, confidence and teamwork.
Something children get to participate in while enrolled in the Union County Youth Football and Cheer program is a campaign for Homecoming king and queen. Eight-year-old Jackston Wyrick is campaigning for Homecoming king, and a part of his campaign is raising money for his football program. With the Homecoming game on October 31, Jackston is utilizing any ways to make money for the program. He is selling t-shirts, helping his mom make football wreaths to sell and going to Union County Businesses and asking them for donations. In addition to all of this, Jackston and his dad, Larry Byington, reached out to the OAB Law Firm to ask about being a part of the “Rivalry Week” that Tim Elrod and his firm initiate. In last Thursday’s football game, a $1,000 check was presented to Jackston for the Union County Youth Football and Cheer Program from the OEB Law Firm in Knoxville. Jackston was surprised and thrilled.
Some may ask, what is the importance of Jackston’s campaign? He is working to raise money so the program can have their own property in the future (currently they are using the Union County Middle School field), and new equipment such as helmets that must be updated often.
Jackston was motivated to raise donations after seeing other schools that had nicer facilities and equipment which made him realize that he wanted his program and the future students to have higher quality things.
He knew that the Union County Youth Football and Cheer Program kept the enrollment fees lower than other schools do in order to allow many children to have the opportunity to be involved; so he decided to take initiative.
Getting the community and local businesses involved has been key in Jackston’s campaign. His dad, Larry Wyrick, states “it’s the $20, $25, $50 donations that are just as important as the larger donations.”
They are grateful to every business that has contributed:
Union County Discount Pharmacy, 33 Diner, Flowers By Bob, Heiskell’s, Union County Motors, Seven Springs Winery, A&B Bookkeeping and Tax Services, Corum Accounting & Bookkeeping, Collins Insurance Agency and others kindly made donations to Jackston’s program.
When speaking about his son’s efforts and campaign, Larry Byington says, “ I like that he’s introducing himself and is going and asking these businesses for donations. It’s something I think could help him later in life.”
Jackston is helping his team and his community while building and using life skills.
If you would like to contribute to the Union County Youth Football and Cheer, you can contact Jackston’s dad at (865)-440-4927. Any donation is appreciated, large or small. T-shirts can also be purchased from them to help the cause.