Sticks-2-Schools helps fight childhood obesity by making exercise fun
Sticks-2-Schools, Inc. (S2S) is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 public benefit corporation. Our mission is to teach skills that promote the healthy balance of children's minds and bodies.
Beginning with the sport of lacrosse, we coordinate and lead the collaboration of sponsors, manufacturers, athletes, teachers and staff to support physical education programs in elementary, middle and high schools that will help achieve our goal of reducing childhood obesity.
Through the generosity of our corporate sponsors and private donors, we've given an estimated 40,000 youth at 78 San Francisco Bay Area Schools the opportunity to get fit by learning how to play lacrosse. We rely on tax-deductible contributions from businesses and individuals to support our programs.
Sticks-2-Schools Board of Directors
To minimize expenses and maximize the program's return on investment, Sticks-2-Schools has an all-volunteer Board of Directors.
Eric Venzon, S2S President and Co-founder
Eric Venzon is the CEO/CFO of Teamwrkx, Inc., a provider of commercial construction, development, mechanical, and facilities management services. Eric's passion for community outreach is evident in his company's generous support of many local charities and causes, including funding the building of Escuela Rosada, a school for the poverty-stricken children in Honduras. He has been a pivotal leader in the progression of Sticks-2-Schools and personally funded the organization's journey to nonprofit status. Eric and his wife Natasha have two children, a two-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son who, quite suitably, loves lacrosse.
Kathy Colin, S2S Treasurer
Before becoming a principal with TEAMWRKX Mechanical, Inc., Kathy spent 20 years in the banking and real estate industries. She retired as district manager and assistant vice president with Washington Mutual and was honored as Chairperson of the Year by the American Institute of Banking. Kathy was one of the first woman presidents of Kiwanis International, where she supported community projects in 96 different countries. She has coached and managed several Little League baseball teams and served on their board, as well as being a school site council president and hospital auxiliary volunteer. One of Kathy's five teenagers fulfills her community service hours at Sticks-2-Schools.
Mar Junge, S2S Secretary
Mar Junge is the principal of c3PR, a streamlined marketing and public relations agency serving midsize high-tech and consumer companies. A prolific writer, her first experience working with a nonprofit organization was as a grant writer for Adolescent Counseling Services in Palo Alto. Mar has been a champion of children's activities for two decades. In 1996 she was recognized by the California State Parks and Recreation Society for her contributions to the community. Along with Eric Venzon and Johnny Mouradian, Mar has been with Sticks-2-Schools since it was founded, providing pro bono PR and marketing services. She routinely recruits her three teens – all varsity athletes – as S2S volunteers.
Denise Watkins, S2S Director
After 18 years as a software and systems engineer in the telecommunications industry, Denise launched her second career as a community volunteer and owner of the San Jose Stealth. Her experience in sports management began as a co-owner of the Primal Quest Adventure Racing organization. She is committed to proving that lacrosse is not just a sport, but also as a tool for child development. In addition to her responsibilities as an owner, she is active in the community as founder and president of the Pleasanton Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation and also serves as a board member for the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center.
Patrick Kernan, S2S Director
Patrick Kernan is a transactional attorney whose practice focuses on corporate, real estate, land use, employment, intellectual property, health, sports and entertainment and commercial finance law. Prior to founding the Law Offices of Patrick J. Kernan in 2007, he was a partner at Riegels Campos & Kenyon, LLP in Sacramento and was also a VP and general counsel for the ValleyCare Health System in Pleasanton. In addition to his work for Sticks-2-Schools, Patrick serves on the board of the El Dorado Community Foundation Board, the Livermore Performing Arts Foundation. He has been a member of the Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees since 1997.
John Aiassa, S2S Director
John Aiassa is the vice president of business development for Heritage Bank of Commerce. An active supporter of philanthropic community activities and a dedicated children's advocate, John is the founding member and director of the Foundation for Autistic Children's Education (FACES) and worked with former NFL player Ronnie Lott to found All Stars Helping Kids, an organization that strives to put more low-income youth on the path to college. John also donates his time to serve as an auctioneer for the annual Catholic Charities Golf Tour.
David Wilkinson, S2S Director
David Wilkinson is President and CEO of The Wilkinson Group and Executive Vice President, San Jose Stealth. David oversees business operations for the San Jose Stealth, including strategic partnerships, revenue streams, marketing, promotions and community outreach programs. As an international innovator and sponsorship marketing industry leader, David has worked in 47 countries, managed hundreds of successful events, and negotiated over $500,000,000 in sponsorship contracts and over $1,500,000,000 in managed integrated communications strategies attached to those sponsorships. David has fully engaged The Wilkinson Group to help grow the San Jose Stealth.
Sticks-2-Schools Program Coordinators
Joy Stanton
As the Director of Partnership Marketing for The Wilkinson Group (www.twgsponsorship.com), an interactive marketing agency, Joy leads sponsorship recruitment and fulfillment efforts as well as facilitating key marketing initiatives. Joy has recently joined the Sticks-2-Schools team and manages day-to-day activities and school relationships. The Wilkinson Group is donating Joy’s time pro bono. Contact Joy at joy@twgsponsorship.com or call 650-274-8899.
Vanessa Bradford
Vanessa is the PR Account Associate for c3PR and has worked on Sticks-2-Schools’ promotion efforts since 2008. Along with Mar Junge, she drafts newsletters, press releases and regularly updates the content of the S2S website. Contact Vanessa at vanessa@c3pr.com or call 209-505-3690.
Robin Claire
Robin is the Executive Assistant of Lacrosse Operations for The Washington Stealth. She has several years of experience in both sports and as an executive assistant and will be the contact listed on website. Contact Robin at rclaire@stealthlax.com or call (925) 460-8290 ext. 23060.
Sticks-2-Schools Program Instructors
Jen Milus
Dr. Milus has been a sports coach for 15 years. She has coached softball, soccer, and is currently a lacrosse coach. She has trained men, women, and children to enhance their power, agility and strength while preventing and treating their injuries. Coach Milus started Blue Dog Lax in an effort to fill the need for the growth of the sport in the Bay Area. www.girlslax.org. Contact Jen at drjmilus@gmail.com.
Bob Mezeul
Bob has been active in Northern California lacrosse since 1980 and is President of Ironhead Lacrosse, LLC. In 2005, he founded Livermore Phantom Lacrosse Club where he has been building boys and girl’s junior lacrosse and remains on the Board as the Operations Manager. Bob has recently accepted the position of Head Coach for Boys Varsity Lacrosse at Granada High School in Livermore. To contact Bob, email bmezeul@comcast.net.
Eric Venzon
Denise Watkins
Kathy Colin
Mar Junge
David Wilkinson
Patrick Kernan
John Aiassa, Jr.