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San Leandro School Organizes Cross Country Run To Help Neighboring School Kids

OAKLAND (KPIX 5) -- When 100 kids suddenly pulled up outside Skyline High School in Oakland, the principal wondered if there'd be trouble. But nothing could have been further from the truth.

The San Leandro High School cross-country team showed up here to help their campus' Jefferson Awards Service Club with a fundraising run. Last year, club members read something disturbing in the local paper about another school in Oakland.

"We get sponsors and we get money so we can donate to Jefferson Service and they could use it for like, homeless and to help out the community," said San Leandro HS sophomore Fatima Catolous.

"Castlemont High School has about eight students on the football team who are currently either homeless or in an abusive household," said Wen Ma, Co-President of San Leandro HS Jefferson Awards Service Club. "And they eat about all their meals at school."

What the club's adult advisor may lack in speed, he makes up for in commitment to the cause."And I'm not having any of that. I live in Oakland. I was born in East Oakland and I'm gonna fight for these East Oakland kids," said Jack Nelson, advisor for the club. "That's why I'm here, and I strongly encourage Colin Kaepernick to do the same!"

With that, the group was off, covering the Oakland heights of Skyline Boulevard on a 10-mile run down to Castlemont, where the school was preparing its welcome. And as the first runners reached their goal, it was clear that the gift was truly appreciated, even if it came from a year-old newspaper article.

"This didn't happen last year so it's something new," said Castlemont High senior Dajha Iford. "I was trying to figure out what was going on out here and they told us about it. And I feel like this is something new."

They say nothing is older than yesterday's news. But it can still have power if the right people take it ... and run with it.

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