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Mr. Whitman from Normal, IL is requesting sports & exercise equipment through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

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Fully Funded

Mr. Whitman's classroom raised $463

DIY Ping Pong Paddling Stress Away

Help me give my students a creative opportunity to connect with others and relieve stress through a friendly game of ping pong using their own DIY-crafted paddles.

This project is fully funded

Classroom photo
Mr. Whitman profile photo
Mr. Whitman Normal Community High School
Normal, IL Grades 9-12

My Project

Mental health of students is important because today’s students frequently face high levels of stress and a growing sense of disconnect from their peers due to the influence of social media, constant cell phone use, and limited face-to-face interaction. This personalized ping pong paddle project encourages students to put down their phones and engage directly with each other, fostering face-to-face connections and teamwork. By designing and crafting their own paddles, students not only gain valuable woodworking skills but also enjoy a screen-free, hands-on activity that promotes socialization and relaxation. We are requesting two table tennis game sets as well as materials to construct ping pong paddles.

This project, which involves crafting 6-inch ping pong paddles in the school’s woodworking shop, immerses students in woodworking while nurturing creativity, technical skill, and self-expression.

It provides them with a sense of ownership and pride as they create something functional and meaningful that they can use in friendly games during lunch. However, limited school budgets make it challenging to introduce new, student-centered projects like this.

Beyond technical skills, this initiative has the potential to boost student motivation and engagement. By providing a constructive outlet, it can help reduce stress, create a safe and supportive environment, and encourage positive peer connections in a relaxed setting. Students will also develop valuable skills—precision, creativity, problem-solving, and attention to detail—that are highly transferable across career paths they may pursue after high school.

The creation of the ping pong paddles will be teacher-led in the woodworking shop during regularly scheduled woodworking classes, making this an accessible and impactful experience for all students.

More than a third of students from low‑income households

144 students impacted 1 donor
Mr. Whitman Normal Community High School Grades 9-12 Normal, IL View local requests

More than a third of students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

144 students impacted 1donor

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Superior Abrasives VPD C-Weight Backing Abrasive Discs, 6 Inch Diameter, 100 Grit, Gold, Pack of 100 - Glass • School Specialty $140.32 1 $140.32
GoSports Mid-Size Table Tennis Game Set - Indoor/Outdoor Portable Table Tennis Game with Net, 2 Table Tennis Paddles and 4 Balls • Amazon Business $131.01 1 $131.01
Frylr Baltic Birch Plywood 8 PCS, 12 x 12 x 1/4 Inch Plywood Sheet Board, 6mm Premium A/A Grade Craft Wood, Unfinished Wood Perfect for wood burning, Laser Cutting and Scroll Saw Nature veneer color • Amazon Business $35.59 1 $35.59
Elmer's Carpenters Wood Glue, 1 Gallon, Sand • School Specialty $27.97 1 $27.97
Milescraft 5223 Glue Mate 450-15oz. (450ml) Precision Wood Glue Bottle - Anti-Drip - Dowel and Biscuit Tips Included - Easy Flow Multi-Chamber Design - Ideal for Woodworking • Amazon Business $5.99 1 $5.99

Materials cost

$340.88

Vendor shipping charges

 $16.83

Sales tax

 $0.00

3rd party payment processing fee

$5.11

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$392.82

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$69.32

Total project goal

$462.14

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

 $462.14

1 Donor

-$462.14

Donations toward project cost

-$392.82

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$69.32

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

 $0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Whitman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

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