LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. – University of Houston Basketball Coach Kelvin Sampson tweeted out to basketball coaches across the country – telling them how they could help with relief efforts in Houston.
His request was simple: asking coaches to donate school t-shirts and shoes.
#HoustonStrong #ForTheCity #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/aAlkkcNqnE
— Coach Kelvin Sampson (@CoachSampsonUH) August 28, 2017
It was a simple tweet that created an overwhelming response from hundreds of schools across the country, including Lee’s Summit North.
“I sent it to the other coaches in the athletic department. And everybody seemed really excited to participate and it has, it's kind of just blown up from there,” LSN boys basketball coach, Mike Hilbert said.
Hilbert has been coaching basketball for more than 20 years. But this time, it was all about coaching hope to both his playeres and students off the court.
“I mean those people are really struggling," he said. Hope can provide a tremendous amount of courage going forward but hopelessness is devastating.”
You’ll see the hashtag, #HoustonStrong everywhere for Coach Sampson’s initiative. Several t-shirts have been boxed up in the main office at Lee’s Summit North.
“To see your house under water, to walk out of there with just clothes on your back and no shoes on,” Hilbert said. “If we can provide them with just a little bit of hope and an opportunity to think ‘hey tomorrow is going to be better,’ that’s what we want to do.”
It’s an initiative where rivalries work for the same team to help others.
“Other high schools like LSR7 can come together and donate all together and send it all at once,” high school senior, Daniel Jaeger said.
The school is looking to ship these donations by this weekend.
If you’re interested in sending school t-shirts and shoes for the #Houston Strong initiative, you can send them to:
Kelvin Sampson
University of Houston Basketball
Guy V Lewis Development Center
3480 Cullen Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77204
