Park City School District supports Live Like Sam Foundation

It's the week of the Live Like Sam Foundation's fundraising event, see below how the Park City School District is in support. Photo: courtesy Live Like Sam Foundation.

PARK CITY, Utah. – Many schools in the Park City School District will be participating in Live Like Sam week during which children learn what it means to ‘live like Sam’ and why his legacy of kindness and inclusion is important.

The Live Like Sam Foundation (LLS), a nonprofit organization, focuses on social-emotional programming and recognition opportunities to enhance the lives of youth in the Park City community and was founded in 2020, five years after the tragic passing of Sam Jackenthal. LLS believes Sam’s legacy goes much deeper than his impressive athletic abilities.

The five characteristics that embody ‘living like Sam’, according to LLS, are self-awareness, courage, kindness, joy, and leadership. It is these five characteristics that schools will be discussing in the week of LLS’s second-annual fundraising event.

Thus far, the organization has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships to youth in the Park City community. Over $50,000 of character and spirit awards have been presented to 40 young Parkites. The organization also raised money for COVID relief efforts benefitting the Park City Community Foundation and Christian Center.

Live Like Sam developed a two-pronged service model that encourages youngsters to ‘live like Sam’ through evidence-based curriculum complemented by life coaching and peer-to-peer mentorship.

“It’s unfortunate that most adults wait until their 20s, 30s, 40s, or 50s before they get coaching, mentorship, or have skills training,” said father and co-founder of LLS Ron Jackenthal. “It’s our vision to help as many kids as we can in our community have access to these resources and [develop] these skills at an early age. What an incredible impact it could make…to learn your self-identity, purpose, character, and be connected to the community starting at such a young age.”

The other service provided by LLS is its scholarship and awards programs designed to encourage passion-following and reinforcing stellar character.

This year’s fundraising goal is to earn $250,000 to launch THRIVE, the new LLS skills and coaching program that will serve at minimum 300 local youth in 2022. On top of that goal, it wishes to raise money to provide scholarships and awards to 50 kids next year. At least 35% of all program participants will be selected and supported from socio-economically at-risk or underserved BIPOC communities.

“We’re in awe by how much the community is embracing us. We’re excited that 7,000 kids in our community are going to be participating next week,” said Jackenthal.

The event sold out last month and is hosting twice as many guests as last year’s event in hopes to meet all fundraising goals. Visit the Live Like Sam website for more information on how you can support the foundation and young Parkites.