Elvis Merzļikins Makes A Generous Donation To Local 8th-Graders

If you've had an 8th-grade student attend a Washington D.C. trip, then you know how expensive it is. I sent my son to D.C. a couple of months ago and it was close to $800.

Last night, the Chillicothe City Schools announced that CBJ goalie Elvis Merzļikins made donations that sent "several" Chillicothe Middle School students on their annual trip to D.C. this past May. According to a Chillicothe Middle School official, the trip cost approximately $754 per student. This isn't the first time Merzļikins has done this for Chillicothe Middle School. Per a source with the Chillicothe Schools, he also helped fund the D.C. trip in 2023. 

Michael Williamson, a social studies teacher at CMS and the coordinator of the DC trips told THN Columbus, "The Students of Chillicothe City School District are thankful for the donations given by Elvis Merzļikins. With his help, several students received the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the nation's capital."

Chillicothe Middle School is around 49 miles from Nationwide Arena, is two counties south of Columbus, and is considered a rural county.  According to the 2020 Census, "About 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, with 25.5% of them being under 18 years old." For these kids, every single penny they can raise helps. 

This kind of charitable act helps these kids experience something that could be considered once-in-a-lifetime. 

Stick taps to Elvis Merzļikins for being so generous. 

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