Dig 4 Kids Education Foundation

D4K Spa Night Jan 8

2010-01-18T01:51:00.000-08:00

D4K and Bella Vita Spa in Metro West in Orlando hosted our Orlando Spa Night on Friday January 8th. We had about 50 people in all come out. This was the first event held at the newly remodeled spa which was formerly The Day Spa at Ashley Park. Panera Bread Company provided food and Church Street Entertainment donated beer and wine to the event. Special thanks go out to Tommy Mott and Covert Skate Shop for providing the DJ-ing for the night. We got in contact with him through a mutual friend of D4K's own Jeremy Roueche and he did a great job setting a great vibe for the evening. Pictures from the event will be up as soon as I can retrieve them off my other dead computer.

It was a fantastic night and a great way to have a soft opening at Bella Vita. We are looking forward to more events with them in the future. Stay tuned for more D4KFL news as we start our programs up in February.

New Years Resolution

2010-01-04T09:52:00.000-08:00

Ok so I have a few things I need to work on this year for sure. But when it comes to D4K, the big one is to do better at blogging. Katie and I are starting to work on what our real goals are for D4k Tri-cities. This school year we expanded to a second school and I think we really want more:) Thats a good thing. We are going to set some fun hard goals and cant wait to get after them.

For now we are setting up a dodgeball tournament really soon. Cant wait to post video of that.
I will keep in touch better.

Global Giving & Dig 4 Kids!

2009-12-21T21:00:00.001-08:00

D4K Trilogy Event

2009-11-19T09:18:00.000-08:00

On November 6th, Trilogy Spa hosted an event for Dig 4 Kids. They were gracious enough to donate their spa, masseuses, and appetizers. Along with Trilogy, we have Budweiser & Fresh Brothers donate product to the event. Guests paid $30 for a 20 minute massage, beer, wine, and appetizers. Over $2000 was raised at this event alone! After the Trilogy event, guests headed over to the Shade Hotel, where the bar would donate some of the profit made that night. SO THANK YOU TO ALL THE GUESTS, TRILOGY, BUDWEISER, FRESH BROTHERS, & SHADE HOTEL!

D4K Carson Fall 2009 Graduation

2009-11-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

The last session at Carson always proves to be interesting and fun. With D4K President/Founder Eric Fonoimoana, AVP/D4K Athlete Matt Fuerbringer, and AVP/D4K DJ Jeremy Roueche on hand, along with the staff, things ran smoothly. The kids started the session by doing their homework and then participated in the new game "d4k"ingo. After that we headed for the small gym for graduation. Normally we do our graduation ceremony in the OAR at Carson HS, but this year we did it in the small gym. Thank goodness we have fabulous people on staff at Carson to help us keep things moving. Besides thanking the staff, thanks to McDonald's (who gave us a nice break in the cost of the food) and all the volunteer's who helped this semester!

D4KFL Palmetto 8th Session and Graduation

2009-11-18T10:07:00.001-08:00

We had our final session and graduation on Wednesday November 11th. The kids were excited but also wanted to know when we were starting up again. We had a great tutoring session followed by volleyball and then graduation. The kids all got certificates and BJ's Brewhouse provided pizzas for the kids. Many, Many thanks to the Olympia High School Boys and Girls Volleyball Teams for their help all semester long and a special thank you to Sheryl Brewer, The Queen of Science and a teacher at Palmetto for all of her help the past two years.

In all it was a great semester. The kids learned a lot about life, nutrition, goals, volleyball and had a great. We can't wait to see them again in 2010!

Vote for D4K on the Chase Community Giving FB Fan Page!!

2009-11-18T06:33:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone...help D4K out and go to the Chase Community Giving Facebook Fan Page and VOTE!!

D4K Hawthorne Fall 2009 Graduation

2009-11-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

The last session of the 2009 Fall series at Hawthorne high school went off without a hitch. The kids got a pair of Crocs & volleyballs, along with other goodies, and had some special visitors help out. D4K President/Founder Eric Fonoimoana came to the session with D4K/Olympic Athlete, Nicole Branagh, D4K/AVP athlete Paul Baxter, and D4K DJ Jeremy Roueche. Also, the new game "D4K"ingo was played by the kids and staff. Basically, it is bingo with a touch of D4K added...

D4K Carson Session 7

2009-11-16T07:32:00.000-08:00

Just like with the Hawthorne session the day before, we did the normal routine of homework and volleyball, along with reading parts of the book "Start Something" by Earl Woods. What is truly amazing is how every kid wants to read to the class now. Great stuff!

D4K Hawthorne Session 7

2009-11-16T06:47:00.001-08:00

The 7th session of D4K at Hawthorne HS included the normal homework & volleyball routine, but also this session featured the kids reading exertions from the book "Start Something" by Earl Woods, to the class. These short messages were written by Earl Woods and were things Earl taught his son, Tiger, as a child. So many great stories/lessons in the book for the kids. Also, D4K Athlete, Sarah Straton dropped by with her daughter Alex, to help the kids.

Manhattan Beach Wells Fargo Grand Opening

2009-11-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

On Thurs, Oct 29th, the Manhattan Beach Wells Fargo branch officially opened to the public. D4K, along with a few other charities, were awarded money at the opening. In addition to the initial sum given to the selected charities, any of those charities that were "green" were awarded more money. D4K was one those charities. THANK YOU to Wells Fargo for their generous award!

Check out the photos from that evening: Photos from Opening

Misty May-Treanor to play in D4K Co-ed Beach Volleyball Tournament this Saturday

2009-11-05T10:35:00.000-08:00

photo by Sandra Beckman

Two-Time Olympic Beach Volleyball Gold Medalist to play in Charity Volleyball tournament

Deerfield Beach, Fla. - The Dig 4 Kids Education Foundation (D4K) is proud to announce that Two-Time Olympic Beach Volleyball Gold Medalist Misty May-Treanor will be in attendance and participating in the Dig 4 Kids Co-ed Beach Volleyball Tournament this Saturday November 7^th. May-Treanor Won Gold Medals in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

May-Treanor is a long time supporter of Dig 4 Kids and is very involved in charitable organizations including her own May-Treanor Ohana Foundation, which supports disabled and disadvantaged children in effort to promote educational and athletic goals and also funds programs and services that continue to protect and serve the best interest if animals and the environment.

For more information on Dig 4 Kids or the tournament, please contact Mitch Sadowsky, Florida Program Director by phone at 414-745-3158 or by email at mitch.dig4kidsfl@gmail.com

Dig 4 Kids was founded in the spring of 2000 by Professional Beach Volleyball Player and Olympic Gold Medalist, Eric Fonoimoana. The foundation is a 501 C 3 non-profit for public benefit corporation and has a federal charitable tax-exempt status. It was established after Eric noticed the lack of youth education and exercise programs in disadvantaged communities. He felt a strong desire to "equalize" these circumstances in these areas. With the success of the foundations first pilot program conducted in Carson, California and Eric's success in winning THE GOLD, the dream of Dig 4 Kids has become a reality and the organization has gained both national and international sponsorship and recognition for its efforts. Dig 4 Kids has helped over 2,450 children learn the importance of education and physical fitness. "Digging Education" is the primary activity of D4K and is an innovative project that combines after-school academic tutoring and mentoring with exercise and volleyball lessons. Students receive assistance with their homework, life-lessons, counseling and then participate in volleyball instruction and training. The program responds to a need for positive after-school activity and takes place from 3pm to 6pm, when many kids are unsupervised and prone to involvement in dangerous or illegal activity.

www.dig4kids.org

www.deerfield-beach.com

www.mistymay.com

More photos from D4KFL BGC/Mollie Ray

2009-11-02T20:03:00.000-08:00

Here are some more photos from the D4K Boys and Girls Club/Mollie Ray Program. We have been talking a lot about goals and these are photos from some of the goal sessions where the kids identify what goals they have and how to go about achieving those goals.

D4K Carson 6th Session

2009-10-31T08:28:00.000-07:00

At the Carson session, we used the coupon activity after the kids were finished with their homework. Since this program is 50 kids deep, we had to be limited in who presented their coupons...which was hard since EVERYONE wanted to show and talk about their coupons! Also, we had the LA Harbor Volleyball Team (who has former D4K tutor/staff member, Mahina on their team) come and tutor the kids along with a guest appearance from a D4K grad/tutor/staff member (who can't be at the sessions due to work conflicts), Gabe Rocha.

After the classroom we headed over to the gym where we had the kids play against each other for the first time.

Thanks to the LA Harbor Volleyball Team for coming!!

Supporting the Samoa Tsunami Victims...

D4K Hawthorne 6th Session

2009-10-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

In this session we decided to try another Tiger Woods Action Plan idea. This time it was all about the "coupon". Basically after the kids were finished with their homework, we gave them construction paper and some pens to start designing their "coupon" for someone. That someone could be their parents, their grandparents, their teachers, their siblings, or whoever does something for them daily. Brooke Langston (D4K Athlete), Kimi Murphy, and Brian Hui (Tongan Center Director) were on hand to help the kids. We also were lucky enough to get a rep from the Lululemon Athletic El Segundo store (after our mini fundraiser), Katie Henderson, to come by and help the kids. She was a collegiate basketball player (from USC) and had some great stories for the kids about her experiences playing at USC.

Classroom fun

Outdoor fun

D4KFL Palmetto 6th Session

2009-10-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

We had a packed session today with the kids at Palmetto. We switched things up a bit and played volleyball first with some skill work on passing and setting and also some 6 on 6. After volleyball, we had a guest speaker come in. Lori Bondurant is a Nutrionist and RD with Universal Orlando. She came and spoke to the kids about the food groups, healthy eating, when and when not to eat junk food and what healthy eating can do for you (like performing better at sports and even getting better grades!). The kids had a great time and learned alot. During the third hour we checked the kids journals and diaries to see their progress on their goals and also helped them with their homework. We had a new volunteer, Margie Hernandez, join us today as well as Brett Caramalis and John Thompson (JT) from the Olympia Boys Volleyball team. Here are a few photos and videos from today's session.

Some 6 on 6

Two words: Relay. Races.

Yoga the Wise. Yoga the All Powerful. Please, please. Just plain Yoga

More yoga with Mandi

Learning about renewable and non renewable resources. It's Science!

Checking the kids journals

The kids LOVE group projects

Vocabulary

Nutritionist and RD Lori Bondurant teaching the kids the importance of good nutrition

D4K 4 Man Beach Tourney

2009-10-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

Charity event will be first on newly built courts in Deerfield Beach

Deerfield Beach, Fla. - The Dig 4 Kids Education Foundation (D4K), a non profit after school program, will be hosting its 1st Annual Co-ed 4-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament in Deerfield Beach on Saturday November 7th. This tournament will be the first beach volleyball event at the newly redesigned and built Deerfield Beach Volleyball Courts. Registration will begin at 7:15am with play beginning at 8am.

Prizes will be given out to teams in three divisions- Adult Co-ed, Boys Juniors and Girls Juniors. There will also be prizes awarded to teams with the best themed costumes.

“We want this to be a fun event” says Mitch Sadowsky, Program Director for Dig 4 Kids Florida Programs. “Deerfield Beach is a great place to hold our first of what we hope will be many 4-man tournaments here. There is already great local support from the community and businesses such as Ocean’s 234 and Bob’s Pizza that are helping us put on this exciting event.”

Dig 4 Kids is a non-profit after school program which targets elementary schools in lower income areas to help youth achieve academic and athletic success in a positive, structured environment and help fight childhood obesity. The program is free for the participants and free to the schools.

Proceeds from the event will go to benefit the Dig 4 Kids Education Foundation. With two successful programs running in Orlando, D4K hopes the tournament will also help promote the program and raise awareness in the Deerfield Beach and South Florida communities to help start local programs.

The Orlando programs, already a year old, have already helped over 450 kids through the after school program and 4 free volleyball clinics throughout the Orlando area.

For more information on Dig 4 Kids or the tournament, please contact Mitch Sadowsky, Florida Program Director by phone at 414-745-3158 or by email at mitch.dig4kidsfl@gmail.com

Dig 4 Kids was founded in the spring of 2000 by Professional Beach Volleyball Player and Olympic Gold Medalist, Eric Fonoimoana. The foundation is a 501 C 3 non-profit for public benefit corporation and has a federal charitable tax-exempt status. It was established after Eric noticed the lack of youth education and exercise programs in disadvantaged communities. He felt a strong desire to "equalize" these circumstances in these areas. With the success of the foundations first pilot program conducted in Carson, California and Eric's success in winning THE GOLD, the dream of Dig 4 Kids has become a reality and the organization has gained both national and international sponsorship and recognition for its efforts. Dig 4 Kids has helped over 2,450 children learn the importance of education and physical fitness. "Digging Education" is the primary activity of D4K and is an innovative project that combines after-school academic tutoring and mentoring with exercise and volleyball lessons. Students receive assistance with their homework, life-lessons, counseling and then participate in volleyball instruction and training. The program responds to a need for positive after-school activity and takes place from 3pm to 6pm, when many kids are unsupervised and prone to involvement in dangerous or illegal activity.

Carson 5th Session

2009-10-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

This session was one of the craziest, yet full sessions we have ever had. We were not only videotaping for the "official" D4K video (by the fabulous Jonathan Pascual), but we had 2 Olympians, 1 FIVB/AVP star, 2 AVP stars, and the fab AVP/Clippers DJ on hand to talk to the kids. Check out the videos and photos from this action packed day!

Classroom Photos

Gym Photos

4th Session at Carson

2009-10-27T06:27:00.000-07:00

Like we did in Hawthorne, we had the kids create a plate with their daily activities. Not only did the kids enjoy this activity, but the staff and tutors got into the project. It seemed like everyone wanted to share their plate with daily activities!

Jeremy Talking About His Day
Tutor, Christina, Talking About Her Day
The Kids Talking About Their Day

For the VB portion, the kids were able to start hitting on the net...

A Snapshot of Carson VB Action
Jeremy Helping the Kids Hit
Richard Helping the Kids

D4K Trilogy Spa Event (Get Pampered and all for a Cause)

2009-10-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

Come join us at Trilogy Spa (Manhattan Beach) for a pampering D4K event! Trilogy Spa has been kind enough to donate their services to help D4K out. For $30, you will receive a 20 minute massage, Drinks (beer, wine, or water), & Appetizers! It's a great way to start your weekend and all for a good cause!! Also, D4K will also get 25% of the bar sales at Shade that night. Please have your friends and family go to Shade for a drink too. To reserve your spot go to: http://www.digforkids.org/Trilogy

See this event on Facebook
See this event on Evite

D4K Hawthorne 4th & 5th Session

2009-10-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

With everything that has been going on (videos, pics, events...oh my) I have not been able to keep up with the blogging weekly! What is great about the past few weeks (besides the normal of course) is that in both the Hawthorne and Carson programs we have instilled some of the Tiger Woods Action Plan in to the sessions. First up was the time management project. We took paper plates and had the kids & tutors break up their days on the plate, ANY WAY THEY WANTED. After they were done everyone presented it to the group. Also, we were able to watch and support the HHS women's vball team as they played in one of their home matches. Along with D4K Athlete Brooke Langston and D4K DJ Jeremy Roueche, and Tongan Center Director, Brian Hui, we had D4K Athlete & 2000 Australia Beach Volleyball Olympian, Sarah Straton, came by to help the kids. Another special thank you to our fabulous volunteer, Kimi Murphy, and D4K board member, Sheryl Kilgore, for helping us out!

Session 4 (Time Management)

The Kids showing their Time Plates

Session 5 (Sarah Visits/HHS Women's Vball Match)

Sarah Intro's Herself
Sarah's First Encounter with May/Walsh

What is D4K...the video

2009-10-22T16:59:00.000-07:00

Fundraiser for Christopher's Haven Also Raises Money for D4K

2009-10-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, September 18th, twenty weekend athletes gathered at sand volleyball courts in several suburban towns west of Boston to take part in the fifth annual King and Queen of the Backyard Beach Volleyball Tournament and Barbecue. This is a doubles volleyball tournament played as a reverse co-ed King and Queen format. The net is set a women's height. and men cannot block and must hit from behind a line established 10 feet from the net. This is a fun tournament because it emphasizes teamwork and making quick adjustments based on the abilities of your teammate and your opponents.

This years tournament was a fundraiser for Christopher's Haven ("Home for kids when cancer hits home"). Thanks to the generous donations of the participants and their sponsors we were able to raise over $1000. In addition to the direct contributions we had sponsorship from Boos Creations, Donelans Supermarkets of Littleton, Starbucks Coffee of Acton, the Littleton Sub Shoppe, Dig 4 Kids Education Program, and Sit 'n Bull Catering. Our sponsors helped by providing prizes and refreshments for the tournament, reducing the cost of putting on the tournament, which directly increased the amount we were able to donate to Christopher's Haven.

After the tournament concluded, $122.25 was donated back to Dig 4 Kids. Thanks to all who ran, sponsored, or participated in the tournament!!

Thank You LuluLemon Athletica (El Segundo)!!

2009-10-21T05:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, at the LuluLemon Athletica store in El Segundo (CA), customers were given a choice to donate the first $25 spent to Dig 4 Kids or the Jimmy Miller Foundation. And if they wanted to make a donation on top of that, LuluLemon would add that money into the money collected. So one, THANK YOU Lululemon Athletica El Segundo for doing this and two, THANK YOU to everyone who went out to the store or helped promote this!

Little random fact...did you know that D4K Athlete, Sarah Straton, is featured on the wall in the El Segundo store? Way cool girl!

D4K athlete, Brooke Langston, "digging" the Lululemon Athletica apparel at the event!

D4KFL Mollie Ray Sessions 1-4

2009-10-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

We've had 4 program days so far with the D4KFL programs that are run with Mollie Ray Elementary in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club Walt Disney Branch. The program continues to grow and the kids are doing a great job working hard on their homework assignments and getting after it in volleyball. Here are a few pictures from the 4 sessions we've had so far.

Somehow Andy is hard at work and the kids are cheesing for photos

Drew teaching the kids how to block. He might have a bit of an advantage

I thought we said thumbs BACK when you set??

Taking it to Spike Town and putting a hurtin on that wall

Evidently it was picture day too

Now THAT is an overhead spike!

D4KFL Palmetto 4th Session

2009-10-17T18:49:00.001-07:00

Wednesday October 14 was our 4th session at Palmetto. Maddy Tormey, Jaz Pinder, Kelli McCauley and Kirsten Waton from the Olympia HS volleyball team came by to help out. We checked all of the kids goal journals and had some GREAT entries and LOTS of hard work over the last week. The kids all did a great job keeping track of everything they did to help reach their academic goals. At the end of class Ms. Brewer taught the kids the beginnings of the metric system Kilo, Hecta, Deca, Deci, Centi, Milli (or Kings, Humans, Dragons, Dogs, Cats and Mice).

Volleyball went really well as the kids continued to learn how to pass, hit and block and also some 6 on 6. they're getting a LOT better at getting more than one contact on their side of the net.

A race to finish Multiplication tables the fastest. Game on!

Hard at work...well, most of them

The kids who didn;t have homework were having a multiplication table race to see who could finish the fastest

Math problems and checking the kids goal journals.

Ms. Brewer teaching the kids about the metric system (Kings, Humans, Dragons, Dogs, Cats and Mice)

6 on 6 or as the kids call it, Versus. we even had some full fledged rallies!

Kirsten Watson from Olympia HS teaching blocking

Maddy Tormey teaching the kids how to take it to Spike Town

Let's fix those blocking hands!

Big hands when you block!

Dig 4 Kids! end of another GREAT session! Thanks to all the girls from Olympia High School

D4K Carson 3rd Session

2009-10-09T13:05:00.001-07:00

The 3rd session came and went at Carson HS...from Eric & Jeremy coming by to see the kids to the fabulous HS tutors/coaches helping the kids out...things ran extremely well. Here are a bunch of photos from the session.

Classroom Action

Video from Tutoring session

VB Time
Video #1
Video #2

Macy's Shop For A Cause Day October 17

2009-10-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

Macy's in Orlando will be hosting their Shop For A Cause Day on Saturday October 17th. Coupons are $5 each and are good for 20% off the entire purchase. All proceeds from the sale go to support Dig 4 Kids.

http://www.macysinc.com/shopforacause/About.asp

To purchase one of the coupons, please email Mitch @ mitch.dig4kidsfl@gmail.com

3rd D4KFL Session at Palmetto Elementary

2009-10-09T10:54:00.001-07:00

We had our third session at Palmetto on Wednesday and focused a LOT on role models, dreams and goals. We also gave the kids notebooks that they will use as diaries to track their goals. The kids all wrote what goals they have for certain classes and then dated each column in their books. Every day they do something to work towards their goal they will write it in their diary under that date and we'll be checking them every Wednesday to check their progress. The kids were really excited to be getting their own notebooks.

On the volleyball side, we broke the kids up into groups and had different stations for them that focused on passing, setting attacking and blocking.

Thanks to Sarah, Kelli, Jaz, Michelle, and Gelli from the Olympia Girls Volleyball team for coming in to help out the kids.

The MAC Athletic Club Open House

2009-10-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

D4K Founder/President Eric Fonoimoana, D4K/AVP Athlete Matt Fuerbringer, D4K/AVP Athlete Angela Lewis, D4K/AVP DJ Jeremy Roueche, D4K Board member Sheryl Kilgore, D4K Board member David Denitz, and I were at the Open House of the MAC Athletic club yesterday evening. Other AVP athletes in attendance included Mike & Patty Dodd, Anthony Medel, Austin Rester, Traci Lindquist, Holly McPeak, Brittany Hochevar, & Scotty Lane. The MAC Athletic club is owned by Matt & Joy Fuerbringer and is the home of Mizuno Long Beach VBC. It is located in the city of Carson, CA. D4K is looking forward to working with MLBVBC & the MAC on future events!! Congrats to Matt, Joy, and Mizuno LB!!

2009-10-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Check out this great article written by Carson HS Vball player & D4K tutor, Jerome Chavez!!

Volleyball players give back

A Learning Session at the Tiger Woods Learning Center

2009-10-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Eric and I were asked to come to the Tiger Woods Learning Center to learn more about the Tiger Woods Curriculum this past Friday. For those who don't know, Tiger opened this amazing facility in Anaheim, CA. From education to technology to golf, this center has it all. It was BEAUTIFUL. And then there is the curriculum. AWESOME. I am excited to start using some of this stuff in our own programs!!

Check out the Tiger Woods Learning Center
Check out the Tiger Woods Curriculum

3rd Session at D4K Hawthorne

2009-10-05T06:39:00.001-07:00

The 3rd Session at Hawthorne was all about goals and dreams. With DJ Jeremy Roueche and AVP/D4K athlete, Brooke Langston on hand, the kids got a chance to hear what these two professionals dreamed about as kids. This is something that Eric always stresses with all the programs. You need to dream....

After the classroom session the kids headed to the gym and played some 9 v 9 volleyball. Here are some clips from the gym time...

2nd D4K Session at Palmetto

2009-10-01T09:30:00.001-07:00

We had our 2nd D4K session at Palmetto yesterday. Four members of the Olympia High School Girls Volleyball team came to help out the kids with their homework. During the classroom session, we split off into two groups, one group that still had some homework to do and another that had already finished. The group that was still working on their assignments were working on vocabulary words and science homework that covered the earth-specifically what the earth was made of and the composition of it's minerals.

The group without homework worked on some mutiplication tables, helping to organize Ms. Brewer's classroom and some puzzles.

For volleyball, the Olympia girls lead the kids on some warm up drills and then we split up into two groups again, one group worked on passing and the other group worked on 6 on 6 and working on the basics of team volleyball and we switched groups midway through.

In all it was another great day and the kids had a great time.

2nd Session at Carson D4K

2009-09-29T11:17:00.001-07:00

The 2nd session at Carson went relatively smoothly with the 50 kids and 20 tutors/volunteers. D4K Founder/President, Eric Fonoimoana stopped by along with AVP/Clippers/D4K DJ, Jeremy Roueche. From homework to talking about everyone's role model/idols to volleyball, the session was action packed! Also, Eric had a chance to coach the Carson HS women's varisty vball team for a few moments...

D4K Hawthorne 2nd Fall 09 session

2009-09-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

The second session at Hawthorne HS (CA) brought out more kids to the program. One unique thing about the HHS program is we have kids from different school districts. So not only do we have kids from different schools (which will all end up at Hawthorne HS), but now we have kids who have different backgrounds that will head to different schools for HS...and are becoming friends now. We had both DJ Jeremy Roueche and AVP athlete, Brooke Langston, on hand to help the kids. We can't wait to see how many more kids come out next week and which surprise athletes will drop in!

1st Fall 2009 Palmetto Session

2009-09-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

We had a great start to our fall programs here in Orlando at Palmetto Elementary. We have 33 kids in the program to start with a few familiar faces- namely some younger brothers and sisters of kids that were in our program last year. This year we started some new parts of our program with Palmetto as we not only help the kids with their homework but we are also working on teaching the kids how to properly prepare and study for tests, and helping the kids prepare for the FCAT tests in the spring. This is Florida's standardized testing procedure for all schools and will make a huge impact in helping the kids prepare for the tests.

After the kids did their homework today, we talked about the meaning of "team," the importance of being a good teammate and how being a teammate can help them in lots of areas, not just volleyball. The kids had a great time today and we're looking forward to next week

1st D4K Carson Fall Session (09)

2009-09-17T13:08:00.001-07:00

The second session to start this week was the Carson HS D4K session. This program is always great with the kids, the high schooler's, and the staff. What is way cool is to see former D4K members (in the pic on the left is John Brigoli, a recent D4K scholarship winner AND a participant since he was in elementary school) who both participated in the program in elementary school and then went on to CHS and mentored kids while in HS stick around! From homework to talking about goals (with AVP Star/D4K VP Albert Hannemann leading the way) to volleyball, the first session of D4K was great!

Here are some pics from the first session....

D4K Hawthorne Fall 09 Sessions Begin

2009-09-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

D4K CA is back in session folks! First session to start, D4K Hawthorne! With the HS girls vball team, D4K Pres/Founder Eric Fonoimoana, AVP/Clippers DJ Jeremy Roueche, AVP star Brooke Langston, the Tongan Center Director Brian Hui, and more on hand for the first session, things ran smoothly. D4K Carson starts tomorrow!! Watch for more posts soon!

2009 D4K CA Programs Starting this Week!!

2009-09-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Fall D4K CA programs are starting this week!! Today, the Hawthorne HS program will kick off, followed tomorrow by the Carson HS program! Wanna Volunteer??? Email us at dig4kidsla@gmail.com or just show up at the locations (see below)!

Hawthorne D4K
School Address: 4859 W El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250-4295
Directions: From 405 FWY - Take El Segundo Exit and go east. Make a left into school right before the intersection of El Segundo & Inglewood. Park in front of the school offices. We are located in the 18-1 room (to the west of the school offices)
Map Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Hawthorne+high+school,+hawthorne,+CA&sll=33.823403,-118.274603&sspn=0.024137,0.046692&ie=UTF8&ll=33.91644,-118.364639&spn=0.02411,0.046692&z=15&iwloc=A
Dates: Tuesday's for 8 weeks - STARTS SEPT 15th (Sept 15, Sept 22, Sept 29, Oct 6, Oct 13, Oct 20, Oct 27, Nov 3)
Times: 3:30-5:30p (we would love to have people there from 4-5:30)

Carson D4K
School Address: 22328 Main St, Carson, CA 90745-4599
Directions: From 110 FWY - Take 223rd Street exit and make left. Make a right on Dolores Street (you will pass Carson HS Front). Make a right into driveway past the grass field. Park next to the gym and we will be across from the gym in a bungelow.
Map Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=carson+high+school,+Carson+CA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=48.50801,95.625&ie=UTF8&ll=33.823403,-118.274603&spn=0.024137,0.046692&z=15&iwloc=A
Dates: Wed's for 8 weeks - STARTS SEPT 16th (Sept 16, Sept 23, Sept 30, Oct 7, Oct 14, Oct 21, Oct 28, Nov 4)
Times: 3:00-6:00p (we would love to have people there from 4-5:30)

2009 Mira Costa Women's Volleyball Alumni Match

2009-09-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

Come support the Mira Costa high school women's volleyball program and Dig 4 Kids Education Program at the Alumni match! Proceeds will go to both the Women's VB program and D4K.

Some of the women returning to play include: Kristin Nelson, Brooke Donahue, Jamie Grass, Jessica Veris, Hillary Stromath, Dana Icaza, Ivy Featherstone, Keegan Featherstone, Ashleigh Turner, Tawni Schulte, Renee Seimak, Paige Nelson, Ashley Bowles, Taryn Turney, Sydney Donahue, Holly McPeak, and others...

Click here for the FB event page

New D4K Program Starting in Atlanta, GA

2009-09-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that we have a new member of the D4K family! Dennis Jocson will be starting a new program in the Atlanta Area! He is currently the director of Airvorne Volleyball in Atlanta. If you are in the ATL area and want to help out please contact him!! More info to come soon!!

Airvorne Volleyball: http://www.airvorne.com/
Contact Dennis Jocson: djocson@airvorne.com

Vote for D4K FL for the Nike Back Your Block Grant!!

2009-09-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

We all need to vote for D4K FL on the Nike website for the Nike Back Your Block Grant!

Nike is investing up to $650,000 in grants across the nation to unlock the potential of young people through the power of sports and we need you!

The application period is over, but we need your votes to help determine the grant winners. Vote for your favorite organizations and share with your friends.

The deadline for voting is September 15, 2009.

Help D4K FL!!!

http://www.nikebackyourblock.com/ApplicantProfile.aspx?ApplicantId=c2f9bf3d-f59c-4337-9c86-7ae0629715e7&share=facebook

2009 Macy's Shop For A Cause

2009-09-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

Since 2006, Macy’s Shop For A Cause Event has partnered with non-profit organizations nationwide to raise more than $28 million for their ongoing charitable efforts. This is your chance to be part of this monumental event on Saturday, October 17, 2009.

Shop For A Cause gives you the opportunity to help Dig 4 Kids by purchasing a $5 Shopping Pass* for exclusive savings and special offers in every Macy’s store on Saturday, October 17th. As a participating charity we keep 100% of the proceeds from the sale of each pass. Plus, you can enter to win a $500 Macy’s Gift Card!

Come together with Macy’s and us, and while you’re out enjoy a day of shopping and great savings, you’ll be helping our community at the same time.

*Some exclusions apply. For more information or to order a shopping pass, please email d4k at dig4kidsla@gmail.com .

2nd Annual D4K Fundariser Match at Maclay School on Sept 17th

2009-08-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

Maclay School (Tallahassee, FL) is hosting a home match on September 17, 2009. Proceeds will go to D4K FL.

Click here for the FB Event Page

1st Annual Mikasa 2000 VB Tournament Benefitting D4K FLORIDA

2009-08-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

D4K is happy to announce the 1st Annual Mikasa 2000 VB Tournament Benefitting D4K FLORIDA!!

For more info please visit this website: http://clublongwood.org/Mikasa2000.aspx

DATB Official Video by Jonathan Pascual

2009-08-04T21:01:00.000-07:00

2009 DATB Dance-A-Thon

2009-08-02T18:03:00.000-07:00

So, here are some short clips of the kids dancing at the 09 DATB

2009 Day at the Beach Passing

2009-08-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a video clip from the passing portion of the clinic

Pictures from the 2009 DATB

2009-07-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

2009 D4K Day at the Beach

2009 Day at the Beach Warmup

2009-07-31T14:29:00.000-07:00

Here is a clip of the warmup exercises we had the kids do at the 2009 DATB

Photos by Civic Couch

2009-07-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

So here are a few more photos from the 2009 Manhattan Beach Open Dinner of Champions presented by Dig 4 Kids...

Photos by Civic Couch

2009-07-24T16:19:00.000-07:00

Slide Show from the 2009 Manhattan Beach Open Dinner of Champions presented by D4K

Announcing the Scholarship Winners

2009-07-19T15:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a short clip of the Eric announcing the Kerri Walsh Chase the Stars Foundation Scholarship winners from Carson HS

The past few years

2009-07-19T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a video that we played at the 2009 Manhattan Beach Dinner of Champions. This slideshow shows pics from the past few years...

Ocean City to Coney Island

2009-07-02T00:46:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C., and my family would vacation in Dewey Beach, DE in the summers which is about 30 minutes away from Ocean City, MD. We would drive into Ocean City occasionally and hit up the boardwalk, play in the arcades and ride the rollercoaster. So being back in Ocean City recently with the AVP Tour brought back a lot of fun memories from my youth. Being so close to where I grew up, I had close to 20 friends and family come to the event. A friend has a beach house in the area where we were all able to get together and have a cook out that Saturday night. It was nice to get to spend some time with all of them since I live 3,000 miles away and don't make it back to the east coast for leisure that often.

While in Ocean City, I stayed at the Atlantic Hotel which was about 20 feet away from the AVP site. I loved being able to walk out the hotel, cross the boardwalk and right into the AVP action. I must say, my favorite part of the hotel was the location of sink in my room (photo below).

Now it's off to Brooklyn, NY for the 8th event of the AVP season on Coney Island. If you can't make the event, the Semi Finals and Finals will be shown live on Universal Sports and NBC. The Semi's will be on Universal Sports (2pm ET) and the Finals will be on NBC (4:30pm) Saturday (women's semi and finals) and Sunday (men's semi and finals). Also, check out the new updated section of avp.com, Volleyball Nation. Who knows, you may find a section in there about DJ Roueche.

DJ Roueche is the Official DJ for the AVP Tour, Contributing Music Editor to Volleyball Magazine, owner of VALA Entertainment and of course a big supporter of the Dig for Kids Foundation.

USC Kappa Sigma Helps Out

2009-06-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the USC Kappa Sigma Fraternity for

raising $2,261 at their 09 Rodeo Days event.

Eric brought his medal for everyone to see

Jeremy, Eric, and Jeffrey (thanks boys)

5 Man Golf Madness!

2009-06-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

So the 2009 5 Man Golf Tournament was this past weekend (June 13th). Talk about a great time! Here are a few pics from the event...THANKS to the 5 Man Golf crew, along with the Lakers who donated shirts!!

DJ Roueche in the ATL

2009-05-31T21:46:00.000-07:00

Completed another successful AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Event in Atlanta, GA this weekend. The weather, crowd, location and play were all amazing. Got to the ATL Thursday evening and went out to dinner with the voice of the AVP, Chris "Geeter" McGee. Friday I didn't have to start DJing until 6:30pm, so was able to walk around the site and watched some of Dig 4 Kids Vice President/Director of Programs Albert Hannemann's matches. He was able to push our Olympic Gold Medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers to a game 3. Great match.

Got to hang out with some friends that live in Atlanta Friday night and then was basically DJing on Stadium Court the rest of the weekend.

The AVP has a couple weeks off and then we head to Ocean City, MD where I will have a small group of Family and Friends driving up from Virgina (where I grew up) for the weekend to see me. Looking forward to that and looking forward to being home for about two weeks as well.
DJ Roueche

Congratulations D4K WA Co-Director & teacher Katie Whitemarsh

2009-05-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

Congratulations D4K WA Co-Director & teacher Katie Whitemarsh. Whitemarsh received a North Star Award earlier this month when Superintendent Hillmade the surprise announcement at a staff meeting. Whitemarsh was nominated by Frost Principal Carla Lobos and Assistant Principal Wendi Manthei for her commitment to after school programs for students like the Dig 4 Kids volleyball program and other programs!

Surf City AVP stop (09)

2009-05-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

Watching the Men's Final (Gibb/Rosenthal vs. Dalhausser/Rogers)

So, the HB AVP stop went off successfully this past Memorial Day weekend. It was awesome to watch and support the D4K athletes, along with all the athletes throughout the weekend. Congrats to the tourney winners, Olympians Nicole Branagh/Elaine Youngs and Gold Medalists Phil Dalhausser/Todd Rogers...

Speaking of Gold Medalists, congrats to 2 time Gold Medalist, Kerri Walsh-Jennings and AVP star, Casey Jennings on the birth of their son, Joesph Michael Jennings!

1st So Cal Beach Event

2009-05-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

DJ Roueche here with another blog. I think I'm finally getting the hang of this. The AVP has now completed 5 events so far and this past weekend we were in Huntington Beach, CA. It was nice to be back on the beach in Southern California. I've been the DJ with the AVP for 6 seasons now and this past weekend I had a first. They moved the DJ booth from the stage on center court to the sand on center court just behind the player boxes. Other than a thin layer of dust, from the sand, on my DJ computer for most of the weekend, I liked being that much closer to the action. Players had more access to me and I got more music request from players this weekend that I ever have in the past. If the booth stays on the sand, I suspect I will continue to get more and more.
Even though the AVP event was in Huntington, I still DJed at Sangria in Hermosa Beach on Friday and Saturday night. I added up all the hours and over a 2 1/2 day span, I DJed 23 1/2 hours with a total of 9 hours of sleep. That's the life of a DJ sometimes. Got a couple days at home and then off to the ATL for the next AVP event. Got a crew in Atlanta that's looking forward to my arrival and I plan on having a good time on and off the AVP Site.

For more info on DJ Roueche, go to www.valaentertainment.com

5 Bars of Summer in Orlando

2009-05-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

On Saturday June 6th, D4KFL will be hosting the 5 Bars of Summer in Orlando. We will be starting at FinnHenry's at 6pm then working our way to the Lodge, Antigua, Rok Room and ending at Latitudes. The pub crawl will end at 11pm but guests are MORE than welcome to stay out with us. The cost is $30 per person and includes a free drink at each of our stops.

Please email mitch.dig4kidsfl@gmail.com or call Mitch at 414-745-3158 if you have any questions or to RSVP.

Final D4K Palmetto Session!

2009-05-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

We finished our Palmetto Elementary program Wednesday May 20th. The kids did a GREAT job all semester. Our final day was a bit out of the ordinary on several fronts. First, we got a chance to feed the bearded dragon in Miss Brewer's room with some insects that decided to escape their habitats and seek refuge along the wall. As for volleyball time, well we had our first rainout and as an added bonus we also had a tornado warning so the kids got to show us their duck and cover skills in the hallway.

The kids did a great job the whole year. We are really going to miss them as they move onto middle school next year and we get a new group in next fall.

Special thanks go to BJ's Brewhouse again for donating some of their AMAZING pizzas to the kids for graduation. A HUGE thank you goes out to Miss Brewer for all of her hard work in helping D4K. And of course, we all say thanks to Drew, Andy, Ashleigh, Savannah, Drew, Mick, Tatiana and Alain for all their work in helping the kids.

Stay tuned for more D4KFL news this summer!

Puzzle time with Etchina, Dayana, Maxim, Jonathan and Ketchina

Feeding time for the Bearded Dragon

Tornado Warning!

Staying busy during the tornado warning

One last huddle and "D4K!"

Archived Newsletters

2009-05-11T06:52:00.001-07:00

Did you miss these newsletters? We have them archived now....check them out!

April/May 09
Feb/March 09
Jan 09
Dec 08
Nov 08
Sept 08
Aug 08
July 08
June 08

D4K Tri-Cities Finishes Up Spring Session!

2009-05-01T11:14:00.001-07:00

Dig for Kids Tri-Cities finished up its Spring session April 17th. The kids were happy to get their shirts and finish strong practicing their passing and spiking skills! They were excited to know they could come back when they got older to help out with Dig for Kids!

Palmetto Session #5

2009-04-30T07:29:00.000-07:00

We just finished our 5th session at Palmetto. Some of the kids had testing that day so we worked on some jig saw puzzles, had some races doing multiplication problems and learned about the metric system. On the volleyball side, the kids are getting into 6 on 6, learning the basics of team play and working on their ball control.

Puzzle #1 Complete!

Katleen, Genesis and Massielle reading and doing vocabulary

Ashleigh helping out Ashley and Danyka

Here comes the metric system!

2nd Volleyball Clinic at Central Florida Boys and Girls Club

2009-04-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

Friday April 24th saw our 2nd of 4 volleyball clinics Dig 4 Kids is doing in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida. The kids had a great time and learned a lot about volleyball. Special thanks goes out to members of the Olympia High School and Bishop Moore High School Boys Volleyball teams for volunteering their time to help the kids out.

Learning how to set

Taking it to Spiketown

Time for some 6 on 6...sort of

Learning how to play

More "6 on 6"

Group Photo...D4K!

Yet another week gone by at Palmetto Elementary!!!

2009-04-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

Yet another week gone by so fast. Lots of improvement this week. Just getting ready for graduation.

Stretching...

Passing...

Passing with the net.

Getting better and better with each passing week...yeah!!!

Last Spring Session at D4K Hawthorne

2009-04-24T07:03:00.000-07:00

So the spring session is finally through at D4K Hawthorne. We had a few "snafu" dates, but we were able to finish this week! This program is a learning and growing program. We have grown from the fall (which is awesome), but we are always looking for more ways to expand this program. We are currently working with different school districts with the lack of funds. But with all the interesting twists and turns, things worked out great this spring. Thanks you to ALL the volunteers, the Tongan Center, the sponsor donations, the MCHS D4K club, the Hawthorne HS Volleyball Team, and the kids.

Ivan working on his homework

Johnan, Christi, and Ivan

The kids posing with their LadyBug's

NBA Playoffs

2009-04-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

Toyota Center in Houston, courtside

Hey Everyone, DJ Roueche here again. You may have noticed that I wasn't in Riverside, CA this past weekend DJing for the AVP Riverside Open. The AVP was kind enough to loan me out to T-Mobile and the NBA to tour the the southern and western parts of the country DJing Fan Viewing Parties for the first round of the NBA Playoffs. My first stop was in Dallas, TX on April 18th where we set-up a stage, video screen, T-Mobile customer VIP area and a half basketball court at Victory Park in Downtown Dallas. Then we headed to Houston, TX on April 21st to do an event at the Toyota Center where we had 3,000 fans cheering on the Rockets.

We had some free time in Houston and so a few of us went to the Aquarium in downtown where we got to see a White Tiger and watch piranhas feed. The Tiger was so close that if it wasn't for the 5 inch thick glass separating us, I would have been Tiger food.

I'm Currently in El Paso, TX for the night and then getting on our tour bus, fully equipped with Satellite TV, Fridge, couches and beds, and heading to Los Angeles for our next Viewing Party that will take place THIS SATURDAY, April 23rd, at the Hermosa Beach Pier. The Event is FREE, open to everyone and we will be showing the LAKERS vs JAZZ game on a big video screen. If you're a T-Mobile customer, you are automatically a VIP. See you in LA.
If you live in the Denver area, we will be doing a Fan Viewing Party for the Nuggets on Monday April 27th at 15th Street and Glenarm Place.

One more thing and you're gonna like this. You have a chance to win $50,000 from T-Mobile. All you have to do is text "MYSHOT" to 72579 and you will be entered for a chance to play four-time NBA All-Star D-Wade in a game of HORSE at the NBA Eastern Conference Finals 2009.

For you AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Fans, don't worry, I will be back DJing for the San Diego Open May 1-3. Also, the AVP has started a Fantasy site and I've created my own Fantasy League. If you want to join my League, click on this LINK, type in the League Name: DJ Roueche, the Password: avpdj09, create your profile and pick you team.

Palmetto Elementary School...still going strong

2009-04-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

Another session down at Palmetto Elementary. There is so much improvement that we may just have quite a few little players on our hands by graduation.

Hamming it up between getting our homework done.

Stretching before we play some volleyball.

Getting our instructions

Passing and Setting the ball.

A Few Quick Notes

2009-04-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

*We want to wish Danalee Corso, Head Coach of USA Beach Jr. National Teams, a safe delivery!! We can't wait to hear the news!!

*Check out the results from the 2009 Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championships held this past weekend at the AVP Riverside.

*NCAA Approves Sand Volleyball as a Collegiate Sport!

A New Scott Member!

2009-04-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

D4K wants to congratulate Sean And Rachel (Wacholder) Scott on the arrival of their son, Koa Daniel Scott, who was born on April 3rd! :)

Follow the D4K Athletes

2009-04-17T06:56:00.001-07:00

Follow your fave D4K Athlete this weekend playing in Riverside: http://www.bvbinfo.com/Tournament.asp?ID=2109 or http://www.bvbinfo.com/Tournament.asp?ID=2110 or http://www.avp.com/

D4KFL Announces two upcoming fundraisers

2009-04-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

The Florida Program of Dig 4 Kids is excited to announce two upcoming fundraisers. On Tuesday April 28th at Olympia High School, the Olympia HS Volleyball teams will be hosting Apopka HS. The Olympia Boy's Volleyball program will be collecting donations prior to the match for D4K as either "per dig" donations or flat donations. A portion of the gate will also be donated that night. The JV match will be played at 6:30 with varsity starting right after that at 8pm. Dig 4 Kids merchandise will also be available for purchase at the match.

Dig 4 Kids is also happy to announce a fundraiser night in conjunction with BJ's Brewhouse. On Sunday night May 10th between 5:30pm and 10pm, BJ's Brewhouse on Conroy and Millenia Blvd in Orlando will be donating 15% of the night's proceeds from all guests coming in and presenting a Dig 4 Kids flier/coupon promoting the event. BJ's has been a great supporter of the D4K programs here in Orlando and we are looking forward to this great event. Come on out, eat great food adn support D4K! For more information or receive a coupon, please email Mitch at mitch.dig4kidsfl@gmail.com

Olympia High School is located at 4301 S Apopka Vineland Rd Orlando, FL 32835 www.olympiahigh.ocps.net

BJ's Brewhouse is located at 4151 Conroy Rd. Orlando, FL www.bjsbrewhouse.com

Redondo Union HS D4K Service Club Lends a Hand

2009-04-08T16:38:00.000-07:00

On March 13th, the RUHS D4K Service Club helped out at the Richstone Family Center's Kickoff event. This pic was recently in the Beach Reporter Newspaper.

D4K Carson Graduation

2009-04-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

So 8 weeks have come and gone at the Carson D4K Session. This year at graduation we had a slight change (for the first time) in our DJ for the session (DJ Roueche was at the Clippers game night, working of course). The cool thing is we had a D4K tutor/CHS boy's vball player DJ the graduation. GOOD JOB ROGER!! Along with that we need to thank Asics for the shoes and McDonald's for the food!! Also, thank you to our volunteers who came yesterday (Joy) and the entire session! AND it was awesome to have D4K Pasco's directors', Katie and Jack, on hand to see everything! Stay tuned for more pictures from the session too!!

Road Trip!

2009-04-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Hi kids of Room 209! Hope you are all enjoying your Spring Break. Well, Miss Whitemarsh and Jack finished up at Las Vegas early afternoon on Wednesday and got on the road headed to California to help out at a Dig for Kids session. We stayed really busy the past two days and saw lots of awesome sights. We have plenty of pictures to show you all. We got pretty worn out from all the walking. My favorite sight was visiting the MGM Grand and seeing the Lion Exhibit I got to go twice! Jack’s favorite sight was the Ferrari and Maserati showroom. Those are really fancy cars. We got to sit in a $350,000 car! Really though Jack liked seeing how scared I was going on the big roller coaster at the New York New York hotel. We went upside down! Finally, we are happy to see the thermometer hit 82 degrees! Yeah! We saw it on the world’s largest thermometer in Baker, California. We are driving through the Mojave Desert right now; hope we don’t see any rattlesnakes! All right kids, stay tuned for details on how Miss Whitemarsh enjoyed her first trip to Disneyland! If you are reading this we brought something back for all of you! :)

1 down, 15 to go

2009-03-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

One AVP event down and 15 more to go. With the weather delaying the start of the tournament until Sunday, the AVP Panama City Event didn't go according to plan, but as always, there was amazing volleyball. Both the Women's and Men's Finals went to a game 3 with EY and Nicole taking down Jen Kessy and April Ross and the 2008 Gold Medalist Phil and Todd defeating Jake Gibb and Rosie. I have a feeling you're going to see a lot of these match-ups in the finals this season.

After twelve straight hours today of playing music, I think I shook the rust off and am really looking forward to the next AVP event in Riverside, CA April 17-19. See you back in Cali.

The View From the DJ Booth

The Lindquists VS. EY/Nicole

The Men's Finals (Todd/Phil vs. Jake/Rosie)

More from AVP in Panama City

2009-03-28T08:03:00.001-07:00

Not the most ideal start to the 2009 AVP Season. Got to the site at 6:45am this morning (being a DJ, getting up early is not my thing) and after about an hour of catching up with some players and AVP staff, it was determined the start of the tournament would be postponed until at least 10am due to the strong gusting winds. It's so windy that walking back across the street to my hotel the wind literally stopped me in my tracks. The start of the tournament has been pushed back to 1pm now with a meeting scheduled at 12:30pm to determine if the players can actually play in this weather. If play is canceled today, the start of the tournament will begin tomorrow and turn into a single elimination tournament. In my 6 years of being the tour DJ, this is the most consistently strong wind I've felt and the rain isn't helping either. All in all, it's been nice to see some friends and I'm excited to start the 2009 Season, whenever that happens.

DJ Roueche first AVP Event of 2009

2009-03-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

Being my first blog entry ever I was hoping it would start off better. Flying from LAX to Panama City, FL I was supposed to have only an hour layover in Atlanta. After 4 gate changes and 2 1/2 hour layover, I finally boarded my plane to Panama City. Little bit of a bumpy ride but nothing too exciting happened and that's how I like my flights. Off to the hotel to get some rest and ready for an early (7am) start tomorrow. Even though the weather forcast is calling for rain, ALL weekend, I'm excited to see some friends and get the 2009 AVP Season underway.

D4K Volleyball Clinic at the Boys and Girls Club Walt Disney Branch

2009-03-27T16:00:00.001-07:00

D4K hosted a kids volleyball clinic Friday March 27 at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida Walt Disney Branch. For two hours, members of the Olympia High School Boy's Volleyball Team and D4K staff taught over 40 kids with the Boys and Girls club how to pass, set, spike and play volleyball. The clinic lasted two hours and is one of four monthly clinics D4K is putting on with BGCCF. This site is also the location of the D4K Mollie Ray program. The clinic was fantastic and was great start to Spring Break for the kids. The kids are certainly looking forward to the next clinc and so are we!

Many thanks go out to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida, the Olympia HS Volleyball team who came out to help, and to BJ's Brewhouse Orlando for supplying the guys with some post clinic pizza.

First Session with Palmetto Elementary School

2009-03-26T05:36:00.000-07:00

Our first session with Palmetto Elementary School was so much fun. There are some old and new faces to the program this year. We did our homework, played animal adaptation, and talked about movies. Mick Rooney came in to speak to us about saving our allowance and babysitting money to put it to good use when we get older. So we can go to college, buy a house or a car, or even that drum set we've always wanted. :) Then it was onto the volleyball court where we did some stretching, passing the ball, and the high five and huddle at the end. Great first day.

We got to know each other a little bit.

We did our homework and played animal adaption.

Running two laps

Stretching at the beginning

Passing the ball

Stretching at the end

The high five lines and the huddle at the end...DIG 4 KIDS!!!

DIG 4 KIDS (WA) RC4's Fund Raising Volleyball Tournament

2009-03-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

D4K WA is putting on the last indoor DIG 4 KIDS RC4's fund raising volleyball tournament for the season. It will be at Mcloughlin Middle School on April 18th (2009). Doors will open at 8:30am and play should start around 9:00am. Cost of this tournament will be $60 dollars per team plus an AVPNext membership if you do not already have one for this year. AVPNext memberships are $10.00 for the year. Those of you who purchased your AVPNext card at our last event got this years membership included with that one.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at D4KWA@yahoo.com or you can call us at 509-551-3323.

First Session with the Boys and Girls Club at the Walt Disney World Branch

2009-03-24T07:04:00.000-07:00

Our first session with the Boys and Girls Club Walt Disney World Branch was so great. So many great kids. We did our homework, read some books, and talked about our goals and dreams. We have a great big bunch of future lawyers, teachers, and athletes.

Just starting off by getting to know each other.

Filling out our future plans and dreams sheet.

Stretching out before we start playing volleyball.

Passing the ball back and forth.

Trying to set the ball.

Olympia Boy's High School (Orlando, FL) VB Match Fundraiser

2009-03-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

The Olympia Boy's High School Program is hosting a D4K Fundraiser on April 28th. The match for the JV team is scheduled for 6:30p and the Varsity will play at 8p. $2 from every $5 admission goes to D4K. Players are also collecting per dig donations for the night. D4K staff will be on hand at the match with program info, to take donations and sell D4K merchandise. Olympia HS is located off of Kirkman and Apopka Vineland Rd.

If you have any questions or would like to donate or even help please contact Mitch at mitch.dig4kidsfl@gmail.com

Mira Costa Alumni Volleyball Match

2009-03-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

This past Friday (March 20th), the Mira Costa Boy's VB program held the Alumni match and all the proceeds went to Dig 4 Kids! Not only was the volleyball match entertaining (one game was 40-38 AND the alumni won the match in 5), but the raffle prizes donated by places like Spider Surfboards, Triology Spa, and many more were great, and D4K raised over $1500! Thank you to the Volleyball Programs, the companies that donated items, the Alumni, and everyone who came out and watched the match! Also, thanks to the people who helped us run the event, like the D4K service club and everyone else!!

Former D4K Participant (and now D4K Tutor) Named to VB Magazine Sports Import Fab 50

2009-03-18T06:38:00.000-07:00

Carson High School (and Hawaii Signee) senior Kristana Tuaniga was named to the 2009 Volleyball Magazine Sports Import Fab 50 list!