By Kathy Chouteau
A collaborative effort today resulted in the delivery of a Santa’s sack of presents to K-6th graders at Coronado Elementary in Richmond.
Marques Arnold—the head coach of Richmond High’s football team, a WCCUSD campus safety official and nonprofit founder—led the cooperative endeavor that gathered and distributed gifts to approximately 320 elementary school children at Coronado. A Grinch dressed as Santa Claus pitched in an assist.
“We’re trying to build something together as a community, not just as a team.”
Helping the effort in advance were football players, colleagues and financial support from the coach’s nonprofit, EMK Mentors. The coach turned it into a teachable moment for his student athletes from Richmond High’s football team, who helped him organize and gather donations and toys for the younger kids.
“We don’t just play football,” Coach Marques told the Standard. “The [players] are also student athletes and leaders in the community, and as a coach, I try to provide our youth with a positive outlook.” He added that he believes sports and activities can give our kids a better future in Richmond, amid the different challenges they may encounter in their neighborhoods.
“We’re trying to build something together as a community, not just as a team, a community, and grow our program,” said the coach.
Through his safety work at the WCCUSD, the coach also is responsible for overseeing the security of 15 school campuses in the district. During the holidays, he’ll be delivering presents to a number of those schools, including at Kennedy High. The coach was quick to give a shout-out to his colleagues, who greatly helped support the gift-giving effort.
“As a parent, I think it’s really nice that Coach Marques supports our students and community in the city of Richmond…,” said Danielle Robinson.
