The soccer team gave back to the community by volunteering at the Jared Coones Memorial Pumpkin 5K Run and Walk, on Saturday, Oct. 7.

The race is a memorial for Jared and Jayne Coones. Jared was 10 years old when he passed away on Oct. 5, 1998, after his battle with leukemia. Jayne Coones, Jared’s mom, passed away on Dec. 17, 2006 due to breast cancer.

The race raises money for Children’s Mercy Cancer Center, the Dream Factory, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and other charities. It also raises money for the Jared Coones Memorial Foundation.

The entire boys soccer team volunteered; however, the C team had a tournament that weekend so they were unable to participate.

The race started at 8 a.m. and volunteers had to help set up. The team worked as traffic controllers to keep cars off the running course for the safety of the participants.

The race started at Black Bob Elementary, where Jared Coones attended. The race goes through the residential areas where Jared lived.

Will Stoskopf, head coach, said, “We have been involved with the race for over 20 years, starting when Coach Hardy was the head coach and then I continued it.”

The race also recognizes others who have faced the loss of a family member or friend, including the Peck family. Tara Peck, once part of the girls soccer team, was killed in an auto accident in 2003.

Stoskopf said, “My favorite part of it is seeing the kids have the opportunity to give back to our immediate community. Jared Coones would have attended Olathe South, so it is really cool to be able to contribute to this program that benefits our community.”