Hourathon fundraiser brings in $100K to support MLSD students

MOSES LAKE —The total kept climbing — about $44,000 after half an hour. 

Ten minutes later Moses Lake High School and Vanguard Academy students had broken the $50,000 barrier and then some. 

“Fifty-five thousand, one hundred (dollars),” said Manny Melo, who was keeping track of the running tally during the “Hourathon” Monday night in the MLHS gym. “Nice work.” 

The Hourathon — wherein Moses Lake students and others called community members asking for donations to support extracurriculars — was sponsored by the Community Athletics and Activities group to raise money to pay for extracurricular activities for Moses Lake School District students. When the hour ended the running tally was more than $89,000, but Melo estimated it would be more than that by the time tally caught up. 

“They’re going to walk out of here, and it’ll be about $90,000 (dollars),” Melo said. According to a CAA social media post, the one-hour total was more than $100,000.

The Hourathon fundraiser site will be taking donations through at least next Monday. A link to donate can be found on CAA social media.  

The group was formed following the failure of an educational programs and operations levy in April. Extracurricular activities are funded locally.  

Students, coaches, advisors, parents and supporters spent an hour calling family, friends and anybody else they thought might kick in a few bucks to keep the extracurricular programs going. The CAA’s fundraising effort has been underway since June 27.  

Ryder Janke, who’s on the MLHS wrestling team, said he hopes the fundraising drive brings in enough money not only to ensure there’s a season, but to avoid charging an extracurricular participation fee. 

“Because kids can’t afford that.” Janke said. 

More than 200 MLHS and Vanguard students were scattered around the high school gym. 

“More than 250. I counted,” said CAA board member Ryan Carpenter.  

The Molahiettes dance team was out in force; so was the cross-country team and the cheer team. The fundraiser attracted choir participants, football and baseball players, the band, basketball and softball players. The Maverick mascot wandered the bleachers, exchanging high-fives with participants.  

Cristian Ramos, who’s also on the wrestling team, said extracurricular activities, whatever they are, are important to a lot of students.  

“Sports is kind of a way of life for me,” Ramos said. “I don’t know what I’d do without it.” 

Ramos got a few of his dad’s coworkers to pitch in, and in half an hour had picked up 12 donations.  

Girls basketball coach Matt Strophy came armed with a list that included 32 coaches from across the state. Participants texted or called the people on the list and provided a link to donate.  

“If I’m going to ask the girls to come up with 20, 25 names, that’s the least I can do too,” Strophy said. 

Strophy is president of the district’s coach’s association, and said the contracts sent to coaches include a salary of $1 for 2024-25. Under the agreement with the association, coaches will get additional compensation if fundraising allows it, he said.  

Jonathan Tanguma is an assistant wrestling coach, an MLHS graduate and veteran of the wrestling program. Tanguma and the wrestlers wanted to ensure an opportunity to compete — but it wasn’t only about wrestling, he said. 

“(Team members participated) so everyone can play sports,” Janke said.  

“To give everyone that opportunity,” said Xavier Salinas. 

Strophy said the extracurricular funding loss affects students, and that while most of the fundraising is done by adults, the students need to be involved too.  

“This type of event is one of a handful the kids can participate in,” Strophy said.  

Students turned out. 

“It means a lot to us and we’re going to fight,” Tanguma said. 

    Moses Lake volleyball players scan the list of potential donors during Monday night’s Hourathon fundraiser.
  

    Moses Lake students record their progress during the Hourathon fundraiser.
  

    Wrestlers work their way down the list of possible donors during the fundraiser for Moses Lake extracurricular activities.
  

    A Moses Lake student keeps track of her team’s progress during the Hourathon fundraiser Monday.