Students will battle for top student campaign during North/South football game

For the third straight year, students from Eastlake North and Willoughby South will battle it out over the gridiron Thursday night to see which high school raised more money during their 2011 United Way of Lake County campaigns.

During the game, which will be televised live at 7 p.m. on Fox Sports Ohio, the schools will announce how much money their student campaigns raised.

The money collected that night will be added to the total of each schools’ campaign and the winner will be announced at halftime followed by a brief ceremony.

Both schools are looking forward to the friendly competition and are pleased that their students are taking the initiative to give back to the community.

“It’s great that the students get involved with this important community campaign, especially with the economy the way it is right now and people struggling,” said Jennifer Chauby, principal of Eastlake North. “It’s important to come together as a community and help our own people out, and it’s also important for our students to understand how much of an impact they can have in their own community.”

Willoughby South Principal Paul Lombardo said he enjoys competing against Eastlake North every year.

“For years we’ve had a nice, friendly rivalry with North, and it’s enhanced by allowing students to raise money for a great cause for United Way,” he said. “The students absolutely love it and I think it’s one of the most important lessons we can teach students: to volunteer and to give back to a great organization like United Way of Lake County.”

Fans attending the game are encouraged to donate either cash or food to United Way of Lake County. Super Raffle tickets will be available during the event. This year’s Super Raffle boasts more than 50 prizes including a 2-year lease on a Mazda 6i Sport or $5,000 cash option, trips to the Bahamas, San Francisco, Florida and Chicago as well as many other top prizes.

The food donations will be distributed to five food pantries in the Willoughby and Eastlake areas the following day.

All money raised during the 2011 United Way of Lake County campaign benefits programs that focus on senior citizens, health & human Services, children & families and basic needs.