Park gymnastics: Wolfpack collecting cans for 19th straight year

• Park gymnastics trailer

Through a partnership between US Bank and the Park gymnastics team, the Wolfpack will once again be raising funds for its gymnastics program by collecting aluminum cans. From left, co-head coach Mark Sikich, Tessa Sikich, US Bank’s Ellen Stockton, Sammy Johnson, Jessie Malin and Park co-head coach Terry Hardy.

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Through a partnership between US Bank and the Park gymnastics team, the Wolfpack will once again be raising funds for its gymnastics program by collecting aluminum cans.

Park has recycled cans for profit since 1991, with money earned going toward equipment, coaching wages and apparel.

The main drop-off point for the cans will be at the team’s revamped trailer at the US Bank on 70th Street in Cottage Grove. This year, Park co-head coach Terry Hardy and gymnasts Tessa Sikich and Sammy Johnson helped re-design and re-paint the trailer.

Gymnastics parents Bob and Donna Zappa began the tradition 19 years ago and for many of those years Park head coach Mark Sikich has had a drop-off point at his house.

“We started this as a way of helping out our kids in the program,” coach Sikich said. “It helps take care of a financial strain.”

Over the years, most of the parents in the booster club have had some type of involvement, from hauling the trailer to can collecting.

In addition to the trailer and the drop-off site at the Sikich residence, another option people have is to call coach Sikich at home at (651) 459-7988 and either he or someone affiliated with the team will pick up the cans.

“We have made this an easy way to recycle and make a few bucks that can go toward equipment needed for our program to be successful,” coach Sikich said.

Tags: cottage grove, sports, gymnastics, wolfpack, preps