Raleigh County, WV (WOAY) – The Mountaineer Mascot visited Ridgeview Elementary School today to talk to the kids and introduce them to new things.
Energy Express hosts the six-week literacy and nutrition program for K through 5th-grade children.
Our 71st WVU Mountaineer Mascot says it means so much for him to come home and give back to the Mountain State.
“That’s what Energy Express is all about, through all their different efforts, is to give back to these kids and make sure that they’re following the right footsteps, moving forward through life,” said Cade Kincaid. “And as a southern West Virginian, it’s really special. That’s why I made sure to come down here.”
The WVU Mountaineer Mascot is Riverview Elementary’s first Energy Express guest; others to follow this year: Beckley Water Company, a race car driver, and football players. They are happy to have this program in our community.
“Kids get free breakfast and lunch while they’re here for the six weeks,” Community Coordinator Brittany Lucas said. “It also tries to avoid the summer slide that a lot of our low-income families go through during the summer. And so they take home a book every Friday, a free book.”
Kincaid is hitting Greenbrier, Wyoming, and a couple of other counties. This is close to his heart, having grown up in the Mountain State.
“I played Independence in football and Liberty in basketball and baseball. And these are the kids I grew up around,” said the Mountaineer Mascot. “I see names of people I played sports with since high school on the back of shirts. It’s cool to see that and means a lot.”
The importance of the Energy Express program cannot be underestimated.
“Especially in low-income areas like this one. It gives them somewhere to go, something to do that’s good for them, it feeds them, and then they’re still getting that literacy aspect too,” the community coordinator said.
To have the Mountaineer visit the kids was impactful.
“They were all in their WVU gear down there, very excited, eager to ask questions,” said Lucas. “He even brought up a West Virginia book, and that kind of speaks to our state, and our area. He’s kind of from here, can give the kids something to aspire to, something positive.”
