SPARK
School Activities
When middle school students participate in music, sports, and the arts, they discover new talents, grow in confidence, and develop leadership skills. However, for families in our area facing financial hardship, the cost of equipment and fees can be overwhelming.
Together, we can remove these barriers. With your help, Start 1 Spark provides students in need with the means to participate in their school's extracurricular activities.
Ignite Potential
Transform the future
42% of public school students in Henrico and 33% in Chesterfield are economically disadvantaged and may not be able to afford what they need to join sports teams, play an instrument, or be part of school clubs.
We are excited to partner with these schools for the 2025-26 school year.
This 7th grader at Falling Creek Middle School plays both soccer and basketball for the school! She’s been playing soccer for 3-4 years and switches between being a striker and a goalie. She loves to score goals and run around the field. Her basketball career has been 2 years long, and she’s discovered she’s both an amazing shooter and defender, “breaking the ankles” of the competition. This Spark plans to continue with both sports, and says putting the jerseys on makes her feel famous. Juggling two sports at once can be overwhelming at times, but she’s learning how to balance her life out. She may even throw flag football in the mix! Students that are involved in multiple extracurricular activities have incredible time management.
Student Activities
Arts
Clubs
Monthly Newsletter
Music
Sports
About
It started with one idea:
how to connect community members who want to help with students who need assistance. With lots of brainstorming and collaboration, Start 1 Spark was born. The focus on extracurricular activities addresses a current need while developing the next generation. Extracurricular activities allow students to discover their passions, become leaders, improve communication skills, and explore creative outlets. These extracurriculars are more than a luxury, it’s an opportunity to reveal the student’s potential.