Funding for middle school sports is not included in the proposed county budget for the coming year. Various organizations, including athletic booster clubs and other community groups, are researching ways to show support for middle school programs, and some have started drives at individual schools.

Kester has initiated a discount card program designed to provide low-cost access to a variety of activities for card purchasers while also generating funds to help finance threatened athletics at the middle school level.

Charlotte Summer Pass is Kester’s creation. She developed the idea after buying a discount card from her son’s school that featured only two activities throughout the entire booklet. Out of her surprise and disappointment, Charlotte Summer Pass was created.

Kester and her husband immediately found 18 local businesses willing to participate to help people save on a wide range of activities and provide a boost for underway efforts to find ways to keep middle school sports alive. Charlotte Summer Pass has 21 continuous discounts that involve bowling, swimming, rock wall climbing, horseback riding and mini golf while also providing discounted access to museums and zoo animals. 

The pass is available for purchase online at www.charlottesummerpass.com for $20. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the project will be pledged to the Student Athlete Foundation of Mecklenburg County. When ordering the discount card, buyers must be sure to enter all information requested including their school. A $500 grant will be awarded to the school with the highest participation.