Frequently Asked Questions

Whatʼs all the excitement?

The Third Street Olympic Games is a fun filled family day where kids come together to harness the power of sports, community and giving. Children compete in a host of Olympic themed events while friends and family cheer them on from the stands. Afterwards, we all enjoy a family style BBQ cooked by volunteer parents!

Sounds like fun! How can I participate?

If you are a student, grades K-5, all you have to do is fill this backpack, donated by our sponsors, with new school supplies for a child in need (pencils, pens, folders, paper, calculator, crayons, markers, etc.). Bring the full backpack to school at 10 a.m. sharp on Saturday, May 2nd 2009 and YOU ARE IN! You also get a free t-shirt, drinks and all the hotdogs and burgers you can eat!!!

Who are the children in need?

There are currently more than 14,000 children of homeless families living in the Los Angeles area. School aged children represent 1/3 of the homeless population. The average age is 9.

How many backpacks did we donate last year?

400 students participated in the 2008 Third Street Olympic Games. The results: 814 backpacks filled with new school supplies (value: $28,000) were donated to local homeless kids. A tremendous effort. Especially given it was our first year.

Does this event also raise money for our school?

Yes! All proceeds at the door go to Friends Of Third, an IRS-approved 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds in support of educational, cultural and enrichment programs at Third Street Elementary including music, art, field trips, library, computer, recycling programs and more!

Whatʼs the cost to get in?

Participating children enter at no cost, eat for free and get a free t-shirt as long as they arrive with a filled backpack. We ask for a minimum donation of $10 from each adult and non-participating child. This covers entry to the event and the family style BBQ. Adults can also support the school by purchasing a Third Street Olympics T-SHIRT for $10 at the door.

What are the goals for 2009?

1200 BACKPACKS FOR HOMELESS KIDS (VALUE $42,000) AND $12,000 FOR FRIENDS OF THIRD. WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN DO IT!

What’s it going to take to meet or exceed our goals?

100% participation! Some students are filling more than one backpack. Some classes are competing with other classes to see who can fill the most backpacks. Some students are purchasing additional backpacks so they can fill more than one. Everyone is sending friends and family to www.ThirdStreetOlympics.com to watch the video, get inspired and get involved.

**All donations made through the Third Street Olympics website will be split 50/50 between Friends of Third and the purchase of backpacks & school supplies for local homeless kids.

Are there more empty backpacks if I want to fill more than one?

YES! We have hundreds of extra empty backpacks in storage at the school and hope to fill them all! Please ask your teacher or the school office for another backpack if you want to fill more than one.

 

How do the backpacks get from our school to the children in need?

We are once again partnering with School-On-Wheels, a local non-profit organization that focuses on delivering 1:1 tutoring to children of homeless families in the greater Los Angeles Area.

School-On-Wheels will be at the school ready to receive the backpacks at 10 a.m. sharp from all participating athletes. They will then distribute the filled backpacks to their students at the beginning of the fall school year. Visit www.schoolonwheels.org for more information.

 

Do the school supplies we put in the backpacks need to be new?

YES! One of the things weʼve learned in working with School-On-Wheels is that there is something magical that happens in the hearts and minds of underprivileged children when they receive something that is brand new. If we can, new is better. Reminder: The 99 CENT STORE is a great place to get a lot for a little. Even better, click on the Amazon banner on this website to buy online and the school will receive additional funds from your purchase.

Who else helps make this amazing event possible!

The Third Street Olympic Games is a community event with companies large and small coming together to help make it happen. This yearʼs sponsors include: The Grove, GNC, Sport Chalet, Whole Foods, Prime Time Sports Camp, FedEx Office, Kidʼs Cliff Bars, Classic Party Rental and more. We will have coupons from some of our sponsors. Please help support the companies who support us.

If I canʼt make it to the event on May 2nd should I still fill up a backpack?

YES! You still have the opportunity to donate a filled backpack by bringing it to school prior to the Olympics. And we need your help to reach our goals! Teachers will be collecting backpacks through Friday, May 1st.

What can we learn from all of this?

More than anything, this event is about kids helping kids. Itʼs best if you go shopping with your parents. Pick out the school supplies you think a child your age might like. Get involved. Feel free to throw in some cool toys and a personal note. This is our school, our community and our chance to make them both better!!!