Number of Participants: 28
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $2,366
Event Type: Health & Safety
Sport: Softball
School: John Jay High School
Date: May 4, 2024
Location:
John Jay Senior High School
New York 52, Hopewell Junction
NY
About:
This season, the John Jay High School softball team proudly hosted their second annual Morgan’s Message Mental Health Dedication Game. Teaming up with Mahopac High School softball, they have continued their mission to support this important cause. Morgan’s Message is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and advocating for equal treatment of physical and mental health in athletics.
Honoring Morgan’s Message and Raising Awareness
To honor Morgan’s Message and support their fellow athletes, the team engaged in a variety of activities aimed at raising awareness and promoting mental health:
Promotional Video: Before the game, the players created a promotional video where they shared the story of Morgan’s Message and encouraged everyone to attend the dedication game. This video was shared on their social media platforms to reach a wider audience.
Wearing MM T-shirts: The players wore Morgan’s Message T-shirts during school and pregame warmups, proudly displaying the MM logo and the slogan “Check on Your Teammates” on the back.
Fundraising: They sold T-shirts branded with both Morgan’s Message and John Jay logos, with the proceeds going to support the MM organization.
Blue & Orange Ribbons: To show their solidarity, the team wore blue and orange ribbons (the colors of MM) in their hair, with some players wearing them throughout the entire season.
MM Branded Items: Players shared and wore MM branded wristbands, stickers, and ribbons on their uniforms for the remainder of the season, promoting mental health awareness in every game.
Banners and Signs: They created and hung banners featuring the MM and John Jay logos with messages such as “Mental Health Matters,” “Check on Your Teammates,” “You are Not Alone,” and “Be Kind to Your Mind.”
Inspirational Cards: In the opposing team’s dugout, they placed cards with encouraging messages like “You are Loved,” “You Matter,” and “Have Confidence” for players to take as needed.
Game Day Announcement: At the start of the game, both rosters were announced, and one of the senior captains delivered a heartfelt message about Morgan’s Message, who Morgan was, the organization’s goals, and how others can get involved.
JV and Modified Teams Participation: Their JV team also wore MM T-shirts, ribbons, and stickers during their pregame warmups, and extra bracelets and stickers were distributed to their modified team (7th and 8th graders) to start spreading the message early.
Impact and Gratitude
Through these efforts, they aimed to create a supportive environment for all athletes and raise awareness about the importance of mental health. Their dedication to Morgan’s Message reflects their commitment to fostering a community where mental health is openly discussed and supported.
They are incredibly proud of their efforts and the positive impact they’ve made. Thank you to everyone who supported their cause and helped make this event a success. Together, they can continue to honor Morgan’s legacy and promote mental health awareness within their community.
To view their video please visit: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6hobQvMGZr/?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA%3D%3D