Wausa Teammates Raise Funds And Awareness

article and photo courtesy Katie Clausen 
​Wausa Teammates participants had fun raising both funds and awareness about mentor and mentee relationships Friday, Oct. 2nd. The Wausa Vikings played the Osmond Tigers, while student mentees and their mentors served up burgers and chips to hungry attendees.

“This is our major fundraiser for our program,” said Darren Vanness, President of the Wausa Teammates Chapter.   “We are currently mentoring 16 students at Wausa Public Schools and this would not be possible without quality mentors in our community volunteering or without the financial support from our community through fundraisers like this.”

The Teammates program was started by Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne and his wife, Nancy, in the early 1990’s. It now serves over 7000 students across Nebraska, Iowa and even California. The Wausa chapter is in the process of erecting two signs at each end of the community that will alert both residents and visitors to the program.

Tom Osborne has been quoted; “Our young people face different challenges today that affect them personally. If we are going to make a difference, we have to get involved with them as one-to-one mentors.”
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Teammates is an organization dedicated to partner students with adults within their communities, the  purpose of fostering a friendship with time spent at their local public school. Participating in Teammates is not limited to any particular criteria and students involved in the program often increase in their academic achievement, develop conversation skills, and have a greater understanding of self-worth.

Teammates is signature to Nebraska in its devotion to helping others and sense of community. Any students or adults interested in joining the Teammates program are encouraged to contact their local school, or www.teammates.org, for more information.