Philadelphia Eagles Support Unique Partnership with Wister Elementary School Students
Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Eagles and Eagles Youth Partnership (EYP) kicked off a unique joint venture with John Wister School and Marshall Legacy Institute's CHAMPS Program. Fifth and sixth grade students from Wister Elementary will adopt a Shepherd that will be trained, courtesy of the Philadelphia Eagles, to detect landmines in war zones. Eager Wister students have already named the dog ""Little Swoop"" after the Eagles' mascot. They will be following LittleSwoop's progress abroad while raising money for prosthetics and rehabilitative therapy for children who are victims of landmine explosions.
Children in war-torn countries live with the dangers of landmines and bomb raids every day. The ongoing violence prevents them from going to school and from playing outside. Many of Philadelphia's neighborhoods are overwhelmed with violence as well.
Unfortunately, many children in Philadelphia can relate to the dangers of traversing neighborhoods that are full of danger to the point of feeling like a war zone. Today, students at Wister Elementary are embracing the opportunity to save and improve the quality of lives of children who they may never meet in person.
The Eagles organization and EYP partnered with Wister School students last June when they filled their school yard with play equipment, laid a turf field, established gardens and painted vibrant murals. The Eagles continued to strengthen the partnership with a reading program, and a special Pep TAWK (educating children on responsible pet care and the amazing abilities that dogs have as service animals). Now, through the CHAMPS program, these same students will connect with and support children in war-torn countries through video chatting, while Little Swoop clears landmines, allowing children to learn and play fear.
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"Our relationship with the Philadelphia Eagles and EYP has been filled with exceptional learning experiences for our teachers and students. The CHAMPS program is a geography, history, fundraising and current events lesson all rolled-up into one. Having the Eagles invest in the CHAMPS program will further enrich the lives of our children. Our sixth graders will be raising funds to help children who have lost limbs because of the mines." said Donna Smith, principal of John Wister School. Smith continued, "Wister students will be connected through technology with children across the world, sharing their experiences and learning about their similarities. Additionally, participating students will develop leadership skills, and will become aware of the worldwide landmine crisis. One of our students, will actually visit Little Swoop to see him clear landmines and meet some of the children that Wister Elementary is helping."
"For many years, we have worked very closely with children throughout Philadelphia. We have been to neighborhood schools, visited classrooms and for ten years co-created with students some of the most beautiful playgrounds in the City. We experience year-in and year-out, up close and personal, the capacity of our children to care and to understand the world around them." said Christina Lurie, owner of the Philadelphia Eagles. She continued, "The CHAMPS program is an inspirational and educational program. These students, some of whom have never traveled outside of their neighborhoods, will now connect with children living in other countries, forming lasting memories and hopefully friendships. We believe that once these students realize they can have a positive impact on the lives of others and learn about the heroic capabilities of these lifesaving animals, they will become more empowered and seek other opportunities to help."
"We are thrilled with the opportunity to work with the Philadelphia Eagles and the students of John Wister School," said Perry Baltimore, president of the Marshall Legacy Institute. "Meeting the students today at the kick-off event was inspiring. We look forward to adding John Wister School to the list of other schools that have joined us in this important cause."