One Champion to Another: Students Living Out Faith Through Service and Stewardship
Submitted by Nicky Perri - Secondary Religion and Family Life Consultant
On March 28, 2026, the Repeat Champions Foundation, a registered not‑for‑profit charity, hosted a Super Saturday event that brought purpose, energy, and impact together in one powerful day. More than 55 secondary students from the Hamilton‑Wentworth Catholic District School Board volunteered their time to recycle and refurbish 400 trophies, giving once‑forgotten awards a second life. Their work carried a simple but powerful hope: that these renewed symbols of achievement would find their way into the hands of young people who might not otherwise experience recognition in the local community.
According to founder Sarino Genovese, the foundation was created seven years ago after recognizing a striking disparity, countless trophies were being discarded, while many children, especially those in underserved communities or without access to organized sports, were missing out on moments of celebration and acknowledgement. From this realization, the Repeat Champions Foundation’s mission was born: Recycle • Repeat • Reward, extending the legacy of one champion to inspire another.
In its early years, the organization faced a critical challenge: how to refurbish trophies efficiently and at a scale that could truly maximize community impact. A turning point came through a valued partnership with the Hamilton‑Wentworth Catholic District School Board, promoted and supported by Superintendent of Education Brian Daly, former principal of St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, creating a model that connected service, sustainability, and student engagement. Mr. Brian Daly shared, “We are proud to partner with Repeat Champions in transforming trophies destined for the landfill into moments of joy for our students.”
From this shared commitment, Super Saturdays were born. These organized events bring together students, volunteers, and community members to work side-by-side refurbishing trophies for donation. They cultivate teamwork, environmental awareness, and social responsibility, while ensuring that young recipients experience the confidence, belonging, and joy that come from being recognized. According to Mr. Brian Daly, "Repeat Champions has supported many events across HWCDSB, bringing both trophies and smiles to participants in programs like Best Buddies basketball."
In addition, Lucia Marchionda, Webmaster and Support for the HWCDSB Christian Service Volunteer Program, shared how meaningful the partnership has been for students across the Board:
“Repeat Champions Super Saturdays has always been one of the most popular volunteer opportunities we promote. Year after year, students eagerly sign up, often bringing friends and classmates with them. It becomes more than just volunteer hours; students build community, develop new friendships, and experience the fulfillment that comes from serving others. In our Catholic schools, we emphasize the importance of living out our faith through service, and opportunities like this allow students to truly put that into action.”
Through this collaboration, high school students have gained meaningful opportunities to serve their community while completing the Christian Service volunteer hours required for graduation. Beyond the hours earned, students actively participate in dismantling, rebuilding, and polishing trophies—developing a deep sense of purpose, responsibility, and pride in making a visible difference that will likely result in positive, meaningful experiences for recipients.
Lucia Marchionda also noted a personal connection to the organization through her work in community sports: “For many of these young athletes, it is the very first trophy they have ever received. As a volunteer-run non-profit organization, that support means so much...Watching the smiles on the players’ faces as they hold their very own trophy is incredibly heartwarming. Moments like that remind us why community partnerships and acts of generosity matter so deeply. As Catholics, we believe every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated for their efforts, and this initiative beautifully reflects that mission.”
To date, the Repeat Champions Foundation has hosted dozens of Super Saturday events, refurbished thousands of trophies, and donated more than 7,000 awards to youth across Ontario—at no cost to recipients. Each renewed trophy represents more than a recycled object; it represents encouragement, perseverance, and the belief that every effort deserves to be seen.
The Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to its partners, volunteers, and especially the Hamilton‑Wentworth Catholic District School Board for their continued support. At the events, HWCDSB student volunteers stated they were so glad to be given the opportunity to serve. Together, they are transforming discarded items into lasting symbols of achievement and hope.
Because in the end, it’s not just about the trophy, it’s about the moment a child receives it, feels valued, and realizes that their efforts truly matter.
To learn more or to get involved, please visit the Repeat Champions Website.
