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Lake Minneola High School Hawks Give Back To Their Community

Friday, January 13, 2012

The Lake Minneola High School Hawks football team and girl's weight lifting team took a day out of their holiday break from school to deliver holiday cheer and gifts to all of the young children at the Head Start Program Children's Center in Clermont. Under the direction of Coach Tino Ierulli, head defensive coordinator and teacher at the brand-new high school, he personally organized this very special opportunity for the student athletes, who helped dress Coach Tino as "Santa Claus." Coach Tino stated, "I believe it is important for my student athletes to understand the significance of giving back to their community, as well as competing in their respective sport. Life isn't only about achieving personal goals; it's about giving back."

Many of the Hawks football players and girl's weight lifting team donated money to the cause, and then, Coach Tino and his new bride, JoJo, personally matched all of their donations to double the pot! Mr. & Mrs. Tino Ierulli then went Christmas shopping to purchase toys for each and every child at the pre-school, and they also wrapped each gift with holiday wrap and lots of love. On the big day, all of the Hawks High School student athletes met at the Head Start Program Children's Center early in the morning and served as "elves" as they helped "Santa Claus" (Coach Tino!) deliver the gifts to each child, personally! The young children took turns sitting on Santa's lap, and Santa's "elves" selected a package for each child. There was so much joy in the school that everyone broke out in song, singing "Jingle Bells!"