Students kick in now that principal is ‘Hero in Purple’

Gary McCoombs, principal of Hoxsie Elementary School, has been named a Hero in Purple by the American Cancer Society (ACS) to help it get closer to achieving its mission of diminishing the pain and suffering caused by cancer. McCoombs, who will be one of five dedicated community members to represent the Heroes in Purple initiative on June 2 at the Relay For Life of Kent County, is receiving tremendous support from the school and surrounding community. 

Heroes in Purple are distinguished community leaders who have agreed to raise awareness and funds for ACS and Relay For Life fundraising events. They are passionate about supporting the Society’s mission, being a voice for the cause, wearing purple for the 30 days before Relay to raise awareness and fundraising to support critical research and patient services.

Soon after McCoombs was named a Hero, one of his 6th graders at Hoxsie came up with the concept of a soccer tournament to raise money in support of McCoombs and the cause. Annelise Demers was walking near the soccer field a couple of months ago and talking about cancer with friend and classmate, Chloe French, when the idea came to her.

“Because my grandfather and Chloe’s cousin had both had cancer, we wanted to do something to help save more people from cancer,” said Demers. “Suddenly, a soccer ball rolled by us. I kicked it and said, ‘That’s it! We can raise money with a soccer tournament and call it Kicks For Cancer.’”

And an idea was born. McCoombs was excited to get his school community involved in this cause and saw it as a win-win situation.

 “Aside from believing how vital it is for me and the school to get behind a student with a great idea, I see Kicks For Cancer as a really good balance between giving back to an important cause and having fun while doing it,” said McCoombs.

 And the 4th through 6th grade students certainly are getting into the tournament and its cause. Not only are they playing on World Cup-type soccer teams under the names of different countries at lunchtime recess through early June, they also are going to have a day where they bring in different foods from each team’s country. Additionally, the students are excited about the ever-popular “hat day,” a fundraising day when all students bring in a dollar and wear a hat to raise money toward a specific cause – this time, to support McCoombs as a Hero in Purple and the fight against cancer. All proceeds will benefit Relay For Life.

McCoombs, Demers and French all agreed that what they are trying to accomplish through Kicks For Cancer, lives up to the school’s motto: respect, responsibility and readiness.

“Not only would I like to thank the students, faculty and staff for all they are doing to support me and this great cause, but I also have to thank the local community. Businesses such as Best Cleaners, Demo’s Pizza and Picasso’s Pizza have generously donated to my effort,” said McCoombs. “I couldn’t do it without the support of those around me.”

McCoombs and his fellow Kent County Heroes in Purple – Brant McAleer, Mario Lemos, Norman Tiburcio and Bianca Ledo – will be recognized during the opening ceremony of this year’s Relay For Life of Kent County at 6 p.m. on June 2 at West Warwick High School.

Contact Courtenay Needham, ACS community manager for Relay For Life, at 401-529-5445 or courtenay.needham@cancer.org, or visit www.relayforlife.org/

kentcountyri for more information about this year’s Relay For Life of Kent County.