YES! Weightlifting Youth Nationals

My name is Zach Schluender and I am the head weightlifting coach for YES! Youth Fitness's weightlifting program.  We are a youth fitness facility that works with childhood obesity, general youth conditioning, and youth sports performance.  I am raising money to help fund our youth weightlifting team and their families to go to the Youth National Weightlifting Championships that will be held in Austin, Texas June 23-26th.  We have 5 athletes 13 and under that have qualified for the competition, and they are all very excited!  This will be all of their first National competition.  The money raised will be used to help pay for the athletes and their families travel and hotel expenses.  I am trying to raise $250 to give each family, and then the rest will go to help purchase more equipment for our weightlifting club, as the club continues to grow and more equipment is necessary.  I would like to have the funds raised by the middle of May to give the families time to prepare for their travel.
This is very important to me, as I have seen how much the sport of weightlifting has helped each of these kids grow not just in physical strength, but also with their self confidence, self esteem, and character.  For most of these kids it is the only sport that they compete in, and for some it has helped them improve in the sport that they are also participating in.
Lastly, this trip means a great deal to their families.  They have seen the hard work their children have put into training to qualify for this meet, and it would mean alot for them to be able to travel as a family to give their support.
I want to thank anyone who can donate to this cause.  It has been amazing seeing these youths progress, and I am excited to see them compete at the National level.  Thank you again, and wish us luck!