It’s been a tough week for the Hood family.
On Thursday, 21-year-old Austin died. Four days later, Hurricane Sandy slammed into the Hoods’ home on Soundview Drive. Among much other damage, a couple of tons of sand ended up on the Hoods’ front lawn.
Sebo Hood is a soccer player at Staples. Fellow Wrecker Charlie Leonard came up with an idea: Shovel the yard.
As head coach, I sent a text message to all 68 varsity, JV and freshman soccer players. The response was immediate.
Andreas Refvik (left) and Andrew Puchala remove some of the massive amount of sand in the Hoods’ front lawn.
This morning, 40 boys showed up — armed with shovels and wheelbarrows. Many others apologized, saying they had no way to get there — or were busy cleaning up their own property.
Working hard until nearly 2 p.m., the Wreckers removed several feet of sand. They wheeled it across Soundview, back to the beach where it belonged. It was a massive undertaking. At the end, the Hoods rewarded the players (augmented by friends and neighbors) with pizzas.
They didn’t have to, of course. But the guys were definitely hungry.
When the soccer players began, sand was up to the top of the stone path.
Meanwhile this afternoon, dozens of other Staples students responded to a Parks and Rec call to clean up the golf course. They brought rakes, fanned out, and got to work. It was an immense help — and greatly appreciated.
There are 1800 Stapleites ready to help clean up our town, wherever it’s needed: the beach, Longshore, businesses, roads, homes. Middle schoolers — even those in elementary school — can pitch in too.
If you know a need, click “Comments.” Include contact information too.
Parents, check out the “Comments” section to see what’s needed. If you see somewhere your sons and daughters can help, please tell them.
Recovering from Hurricane Sandy won’t be easy. But Westport’s kids are ready to pitch in.
And all they need is pizza.
Varsity co-captain Joe Greenwald and freshman Noah Schwaeber work together during the cleanup.