2022-10-05
Chelenzo Farm & Friends
Help Coyote Chess Club Kids

“I was surprised-not surprised to discover that many of our Chess Club Coyotes may not have the means to practice at home. As their substitute coach, I asked a number of them if they played at home. The answer I heard from 9 out of 10 kids was, “We don’t have a chess set at home.”

Thus, I have decided to start my very first GoFundMe Campaign to raise $574.40 to purchase 40 chess sets, so that every kid in the program has their very own chess set to use at home. Please consider making a small donation to help these great kids out.”

Their Story:

This morning, I had the honor of substituting for the regular Coyote Chess Club coach at Turquoise Trail Charter School (TTCS). I did so twice last week and will do so again this Thursday.

The chess club is an amazing before-school program that nearly 40 kids participate in. We get about 20 kids on average to show up at 7 AM Tuesday through Thursday.

As you may know, chess offers many benefits, especially to young children, including:

- Develops Logic, Critical Thinking, and Creativity

- Increases Concentration & Memory

- Develops Problem Solving Skills

- Improves Reading Skills

- Teaches Planning and Foresight

- Engages the mind OFF of screens

- Connects You with Others

And according to Julie Young, executive director of Chess for Success, "chess also teaches impulse control, adherence to rules and conduct, memorization, pattern recognition, perseverance and concentration. These skills directly translate to academic work, both from a behavioral aspect and focus with attention to detail. Research shows that participants in chess programs increase their scores in reading by 10% and math by 17% on standardized tests."

I can attest to these benefits, as all our five children have played chess for years. With the three oldest are out of the house, we play a lot of chess (instead of watching tv, as there are no televisions in our house) with our fourth and fifth graders who are enrolled at TTCS and in the Chess Club.

However, this is not the case for many of their friends who participate in the chess club at school. Since I serve on the Board of Governance for the school, I am well aware that about 85% of the 750+ students at our school take advantage of the free or reduced lunch program.

Thus, I was surprised-not surprised to discover that many of our Chess Club Coyotes may not have the means to practice at home. As their substitute coach, I asked a number of them if they played at home. The answer I heard from 9 out of 10 kids was, “We don’t have a chess set at home.”

Thus, I have decided to start my very first GoFundMe Campaign to raise $574.40 to purchase 40 chess sets so that every kid in the program has their own chess set to use at home.

Our family has purchased many high-quality chess sets from the House of Staunton in the past, and when I reached out to them, they agreed to offer a 20% offer to the kids on top of the discount we already receive when purchasing 40 sets. Thus, the sets are reduced from $20.95 each, which includes a sturdy carrying case, large vinyl chessboard and triple weighted regulation chess pieces - to only $14.36 for each set, with free shipping.

Since GoFundMe charges a one-time 2.9% transaction fee, please consider donating $15 or more to help us purchase at least one set for a Coyote Chess Club member so that our kids can receive the full benefit from this wonderful school program.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Be reassured that your support will make a difference and the world a better place.