Trevor Bond knows what he loves, which is why he does it everyday.
Involved in varsity soccer and football, his passion keeps him in constant motion during the fall sports season as he juggles both practices at Mt. Vernon on a daily basis.
With college ambition driving him, the junior placekicker is often a swift blur, making the rapid transition from jersey and shorts to helmet and shoulder pads with the occasional minute or two in between.
It’s a routine now, one the multisport student-athlete has learned from experience. His desire to give back, however, has been instinctive from the very beginning.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
“Trevor is one of those guys who is always looking to help other people,” Mt. Vernon head football coach Doug Armstong said. “We talk about that a lot, putting others first and being unselfish, all the things that go with playing football, and Trevor is the epitome of that in real life.”
A Marauder Mentor to freshmen students the past two years and an active member of D.A.R.E Role Models, Bond embraces every opportunity available to aid others, which made his recent decision to become a philanthropist.
While attending the Kohl’s Kicking National Scholarship Camp in Wales, Wisconsin, this summer, Bond was introduced to Kick-It, a program of Flashes of Hope, designed to sponsor events or individuals dedicated to assist in the on-going funding for children’s cancer research.
When a representative approached Bond about starting his own campaign, he didn’t hesitate.
“I know a lot of people that have been affected by cancer. Our community has and our family has as well,” Bond explained. “I know how bad of a disease it is, so I wanted to give back what I could to help.”
Fittingly, Bond’s right foot is the catalyst behind his Kick Children’s Cancer with Trevor Bond initiative. With the assistance of his parents, Maria and Victor Bond, Trevor is gathering pledges and donations through a website, powered by kick-it.org.
“Now, every point that I score people can donate a dollar, and it goes straight to children’s cancer research, so I can help out as many people as I can doing what I love,” Bond said.
The 16-year-old hopes to reach 40 points this football season and $1,000 with enough supporters pledging at least $1 or more.
“Everybody is affected by cancer in some way,” Armstrong said. “The more research that can be done, the better of a chance we have at saving people’s lives. I think Trevor is doing what he believes he should.”
Trevor’s unselfishness isn’t surprising to Maria Bond, who admires her son’s willingness to lend a hand without reward.
As members of the Holy Spirit Parish at Geist, the family assists in several church-sponsored charitable endeavors. Trevor often donates his own money to the parish voluntarily.
“He is a very compassionate kid. He is now signed up to help with Best Buddies through the school, too,” Maria Bond said. “He has a really big heart. In his prayers every night he includes Riley Children’s Hospital, and he has since he was really little.”
“I can’t fall asleep until I say them” Trevor added. “Honestly, sometimes I’ll get distracted and I’ll end up not falling asleep, then I remember, ‘Oh, I haven’t included them yet.'”
On the football field, Bond has a long memory. Last Friday, he converted 3 of 4 extra-point attempts. He’s been working hard the past few days to be perfect next time.
“I know it’s not just for me or the team anymore. It’s for other people who aren’t as fortunate as I am,” he said. “It motivates me more to be better.”
As a sophomore, Bond scored 30 points and was 27 of 30 in extra points with one made field goal.
In the offseason, he also attended a Prokicker (Ray Guy) Camp to hone his skills further. Currently, he is ranked No. 10 in the nation by Prokicker for the class of 2018 with a 90 percent field-goal accuracy.
“He has a very strong leg, and he’s very accurate. His field-goal range is a weapon for us,” Armstrong said. “If we had to kick one from 40 to 50 to try to win one at the end, I wouldn’t hesitate to put him out there.”
Bond’s longest field goal in practice is right on target with his coach’s estimations.
“I hit a 54 (yarder) two weeks ago,” Bond said. “I was in full pads. I was pretty excited about it.”
He’s just as thrilled with the upcoming promotions for his fundraiser, which are developing day by day, one kick at time.
“We’re going to do a lot on social media and try to get as many people signed up as possible,” Bond said. “I use Twitter, and I know my mom has a lot of Facebook friends. She’s helped me a lot, and I know she wants to help me give back as well.
“This year, I would like to go for $1,000. Next year when I’m a senior, I’d like to see if we can raise even more.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Kick-It With Trevor Bond” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
The goal: Mt. Vernon junior Trevor Bond is kicking to raise $1,000 this football season to fund children’s cancer research through Kick-It, a program through Flashes of Hope.
How to help: Those interested in supporting Trevor Bond’s cause can go online to pledge or donate any dollar amount per point scored this season through extra points and field goals made.
Where to go: For more information and to pledge or donate, visit www.kick-it.org/games/2016/10/kick-childrens-cancer-with-trevor-bond
Going viral: Show your support on Twitter with hashtag #kickcancerwtrevorbond
[sc:pullout-text-end]
