While the running game looks to be a big factor in the Clarkston Wolves? offense this season, players from the program are giving their time for a more important rushing record. All three levels of the Clarkston football program are participating in the 10th annual Rush for Food Friday in the Clarkston area.
The food and household item collecting benefits Lighthouse Emergency Services in Clarkston.
The Wolves collected about 3,600 pounds of items and more is expected this year.
More than 200 players are expected to do their part in one of the phases of collection. While varsity and JV players visit homes on Middle Lake Road and Pine Knob Road, the freshman squad will eagerly await the goods to be delivered and then sort them for storage. The Clarkston Chiefs youth football program will also collect food from family members during their practices for the donation.
‘It’s gotten bigger in the amount of food and the team’s have gotten bigger,? said Rush for Food committee member Mary Anne Kenerson. ‘Lighthouse has come to count on this event.?
Lighthouse Volunteer Coordinator Michele Robinson agreed.
‘They really help load up our food pantry and right now our shelves are getting empty,? Robinson said.
‘It’s the biggest time of need with the least amount of donations.?
Kenerson has been a part of the event since its inception, having had a son in the football program each season.
‘The whole committee looks forward to it because it brings the boys together to help fill a need in the community,? Kenerson said.
‘The kids are used to it. It’s kind of like a right of passage on the team and they get to bond.?
Robinson was also part of the first ‘Rush? in 1997 when her son Jon was a junior at Clarkston.
‘I was very thankful other parents picked up the ball and kept it going. It takes a lot of volunteers to keep it going,? Robinson said.
Robinson said the idea for the inaugural ‘Rush? came from a Lighthouse volunteer whose son was on Clarkston’s football team. Over the years, the event has gotten smoothed out. Originally, players dropped off the items they had collected at Clintonwood Park, then they were transported to Lighthouse.
‘We were so amazed at how much food they collected,? Robinson remembered. ‘The cargo van was a real low-rider. We didn’t think they’d get it back to Lighthouse because it was so full of food.?
Homeowners can also drop off donations directly to Lighthouse, 6330 Sashabaw Road during business hours.

Rush for Food hits the streets at 6 p.m., covering:
‘Pine Knob Village
‘Spring Lake
‘Kelly Lake
‘Simler and Phelan
‘Whipple Shores
‘Eastview and Westview
‘Chestnut Hill
‘Woodglen Estates and Pinetree Valley
‘Northview
‘Floretta, Parnell and Central
‘Deerwood and Deerwood
‘Oakhurst Ridge Road
‘Birdland/Chickadee roads
‘Snowapple/Cramlane roads
‘Pine Knob Road
‘Sheringham
‘Morningstar/Heritage
‘Stonegate