The famous Battle of Broad Street between Licking Heights and Watkins Memorial goes beyond just a football rivalry: it’s an opportunity for students, staff and families to give back to their community.
Both districts have planned joint service activities leading up to this year’s football game, which will take place on October 18 at 7:00 PM at the Warrior Football Stadium, 8808 Watkins Road SW, Pataskala.
“Every year we anticipate the annual Battle for Broad Street competition with our rival district, Licking Heights. While the friendly rivalry is always exciting, what we really value is the opportunity to raise awareness of food insecurity within our community,” said Kasey Perkins, Superintendent of Southwest Licking Local Schools.
“It is very special to see our students and community members come together to provide much-needed support to those in need. This event not only builds excitement for the football game on Friday night, but also allows our students to serve as stewards of their communities,” said Perkins. “It is an honor to be part of such a meaningful tradition. Go warriors!”
The Pataskala Rotary Club will be a major sponsor for this year’s activities, along with support from community organizations and businesses such as Nutcracker Family Restaurant, Pataskala United Methodist Church and Summit Station United Methodist Church.
Events include annual favorites like the canned food drive and spaghetti dinner, with a few new activities like a blood drive drive and competitive employee donation drives for the United Way of Licking County.
Students will compete in the annual Battle for Broad Street Canned Food Drive Monday, Oct. 7 through Friday, Oct. 11, benefiting LEADS Community Action Agency in Newark for Licking Heights and Storehouse for Jesus for Southwest Licking. Licking Heights will also collect cans for the district’s food bank to support students in need.
The canned food drive is managed by the Interact Club at Licking Heights and student leaders in Watkins, and students in kindergarten through 12th grade are encouraged to donate. This is one of the largest collaborative events between Pataskala schools and the community each year.
Both districts will host a blood drive as part of a “Blood Battle” that will also benefit Ohio’s Versiti Blood Center. Licking Heights will host their blood drive on October 11 from noon to 5pm at Summit Station UMC, 6626 Summit Road SW. Donors can register online. Watkins is hosting their drive on Oct. 16 from noon to 5 p.m. at Pataskala UMC, 458 S. Main St. Donors can register online.
Regardless of who the donors support, they can donate blood and vote for their favorite team on both dates. Walk-ins are also welcome for community members who have not registered in advance.
The annual Battle for Broad Street Spaghetti Dinner, which benefits Pataskala Rotary Club scholarships, will take place Oct. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Nutcracker Family Restaurant, 63 E. Broad St. Cheerleaders from both districts will serve dinners, and Meals are also available to take away. The meals cost $15 per person and $50 for a family of four, and include spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread and butter, drinks and dessert.
Finally, staff can enter this year’s contest by donating to the United Way of Licking County (UWLC). The UWLC Ambassadors in Watkins and Licking Heights will conduct their annual workforce campaigns Oct. 7-18 to see which county staff can raise the most for United Way-funded partners in Licking County.
Employees are encouraged to donate through online portals to directly support organizations that benefit their students, such as the Buckeye Valley Family YMCA, Action for Children, Behavioral Healthcare Partners and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
“The Battle for Broad Street is so much more than a football rivalry: it is an opportunity for our students and staff to work together and impact the world around them. We have the opportunity this year to demonstrate citizenship and compassion to our students, and I am very proud to be part of the festivities,” said Licking Heights Superintendent Kevin S. Miller.
“We couldn’t make this happen without our outstanding community partners, and I am continually amazed and humbled by the kindness, generosity and support our community has for public education and our students,” said Miller. “Oh, and one more thing: go Hornets!”
Information submitted by Licking Heights Local Schools.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Pataskala schools give back to community before the Battle of Broad Street
