East Puts on a Cap and Gives Back

East Puts on a Cap and Gives Back
By Anderson Pleasants

East students presenting former NFL player and founder of the 4th and Forever program, Keith O’Neil, with a check from the Caps for Cash campaign’s donations
In the week of February 5th to February 9th, Williamsville East was in a hat frenzy throughout its halls. From teachers to students and caps to fezzes, the Caps for Cash campaign was quite literally on everyone’s heads.
The Caps for Cash campaign was sponsored by East’s Sources of Strength, a strengths-based program that centers around mental health and ways to cope positively. Sources of Strength puts together campaigns and activities for the school community to better bridge understanding and awareness of mental illness, and to remind everyone and anyone that they are not alone.
All proceeds for the campaign were donated to the 4th and Forever program, founded by former NFL linebacker and Super Bowl champion, Keith O’Neil, who also has a book titled “Under My Helmet” about his life with bipolar depression. Everyone’s donations go to awareness, speaking opportunities, and brain research. The Caps for Cash campaign reflects the idea of his book, as “Under the Helmet” is a token to O’Neil’s playing days, but also focuses on what’s “under the helmet” which is one’s brain. The hats worn at East were like “helmets” that brought attention to the area where mental illness and health stems from, the mind.
“Senior Joe Brown summed it up perfectly at a presentation,” Mrs. Kasprzak, school psychologist and one of Sources of Strength’s advisors, repeated one of the group’s peer leaders’ sentiments on the impact of the campaign.
“The hats were a conversation starter, like why was someone wearing it? Then it was explained as awareness for mental health and that helped spread the word as a sense of solidarity.” The final result of the Caps for Cash campaign was a total of $1,276.32, which was presented to Mr. O’Neil on February 14th.
Out of all the schools Keith O’Neil presented at, East was the first to start a campaign and raise funds for the 4th and Forever foundation.