ROSEBURG, OR September 17, 2018   The Lance Michael Emmons Scholarship has been renamed and reenergized to the Lance Michael Emmons Athletic Scholarship program. This program will now provide funding to offset expenses for children to play sports throughout Douglas County whose families may not have the necessary registration fees and/or equipment to allow them to participate.  Lance’s family, Jim and Dotty Stapleton, Jeff Randall and Kelly Lowman, awarded their first athletic scholarship gift of $2,500 to Green Elementary School for Physical Education equipment needs.

According to Lance’s family, physical activity has always played a huge part in all of their lives. Whether it is playing a game of soccer at home or participating in CrossFit competitions, having an active and healthy body, current equipment and a positive outlet is so important, especially for students, where physical fitness has a very strong connection to academic and emotional success.

“Speaking on behalf of the family, their hope is this scholarship will encourage our youth to start a healthy, active routine that they can apply throughout the rest of their life, regardless of financial restrictions or lack of safe equipment,” states Mercy Foundation president, Lisa Platt.

Jamie Hummel, Physical Education teacher at Green and Sunnyslope submitted the first request to receive funding.  “Many of my students will not get the opportunity to play organized sports due to the costs involved. I wanted the opportunity to not only expose them to the different sports but also show them other ways they can be active through various games, relays, obstacle courses, CrossFit, and team building activities. This grant will allow me to do that and I’m very excited and appreciative,” notes Hummel.

For additional information, please call Mercy Foundation at 541-677-4818.