Originally posted at 11:38 a.m. June 6, 2013
Volunteer basketball coach Willie Hathaway was the top recipient of votes in the School Volunteer of the Year Award that could win $5,000 for Helix High School.
He was nominated and subsequently received 1,107 votes from visitors to the DonorNation website, the highest number for the "secondary school" category. The award was open to all San Diego County preschool through grade 12 schools, both public and private.
The grand prize for the award is a $5,000 donation to the volunteer's school, and the winner will also receive one year's free groceries ($100 per week for 52 weeks) from Sprouts Farmers Market.
The final stage of the contest is a selection committee consisting of prominent San Diego residents, that will review the finalists and announce a winner June 19.
His profile on the DonorNation website describes why Hathaway was chosen for this contest:
"Volunteer high school basketball coach Willie Hathaway is the epitome of a volunteer who connects, builds and fosters meaningful relationships for the betterment of the students at Helix Charter High School. For the past two decades, Coach Hathaway has dedicated his knowledge, passion and time to student athletes, empowering them both on and off the court."
“He fosters positive and productive attitudes and behaviors from the athletes," said Principal Mike Lewis.
“Athletes at Helix are students first and are required to put their education as a priority,” he said. “I am proud to volunteer at a school that believes that athletics, clubs and extracurriculars are a bonus, but not the focus of high school.”
If Hathaway wins DonorNation’s School Volunteer of the Year Award, he said the funds will be used to update the sports facilities and purchase new uniforms and sporting supplies.
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