Moses Lake Industries donation helps ML fundraising effort reach first goal

MOSES LAKE — A $55,000 donation from Moses Lake Industries helped an organization raising money to support extracurricular activities in the Moses Lake School District to reach its first — but not its last — milestone.

Ryan Carpenter, president of the Community Athletics and Activities organization, said the donation guarantees that extracurricular groups will have enough money for their activities in the 2024-25 school year.

“We have our base budget goals met,” said CAA secretary Eva Olson.

While announcing the donation Friday, MLI President Hiroyuki Era said his family moved to Moses Lake when his children were in elementary school.

“My kids grew up here,” he said.

His daughter played soccer and pursued music; his son played soccer too, baseball, basketball and other sports. It was tough sometimes to travel to all those away games and events, he said, but looking back on it, it was a good thing.

“They are really, really great memories,” Era said. “I’d like (current students) to have the same experience.”

Brent Hansen, MLI chief operating officer, said the donation was about now and the future.

“Our contribution is not just an investment in the future of our children but also in the well-being and cohesion of our community,” Hansen wrote in a press release. “Many life lessons, such as teamwork, are gained through extracurricular activities. The amount of teamwork displayed for this community effort has been tremendous to observe. MLI is proud to be part of that.”

Olson said ensuring activities can happen is just the first step. As of now, coaches are working for a $1 salary, and there’s still the challenge of transporting teams and activity groups to events out of town. The group is still raising money, especially for transportation.

“We’ve still got to get kids on buses,” Olson said.

To that end, Hansen had a suggestion.

“We encourage other businesses in the region to join us to ensure that funding for things like transportation to events can be provided so that no student who wants to participate misses out on these vital experiences,” he wrote.

The “Hourathon” student-led fundraiser is still open for donations at least through Monday. Donation information can be found on CAA social media. Donations can be made anytime at the CAA website, listed below.

COMMUNITY ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES

Contact:

Donation site: https://bit.ly/MLCAA

contact@caabooster.com

Managing Board:

Ryan Carpenter, President

Jeremy Huberdeau, Vice President

James Getzinger, Vice president

Eva Olson, Secretary

Cody Parrish, Treasurer