Social media posts ask people wear baseball jerseys on Friday to honor 8-year-old boy killed in Waukesha parade tragedy.
WAUKESHA, Wis. —
An effort to honor 8-year-old Jackson Sparks, who died from his injuries suffered when he was struck while marching in the Waukesha Christmas Parade, is gaining steam, with people around the country taking part.
The idea started Monday by a Wisconsin native living in Texas, who asked people to wear baseball jerseys to work and school Friday to honor the young boy who loved the sport.
That gave Todd Ahrens an idea.
“I said, ‘Let’s put out a post and see if it catches fire and let’s see if we can share it across the United States and bring this country together at the holidays,'” said Ahrens, who started the Jerseys for Jackson Day.
His post asks everyone to wear a jersey for Jackson on Friday to show support for his family.
“My kids play select baseball here in Dallas for the last eight years, and baseball families are tight-knit families organizations are tight-knit organizations, and when people struggle, people will rally behind them. And this family is struggling. I can’t imagine,” Ahrens said.
The idea started to gain ground.
When Waukesha’s Heidi Kopps posted it on Twitter.
Dozens of schools and teams are also taking up the idea, including Sheboygan Lutheran.
“I think kids are looking for a way to connect. In the community right now, it feels very strongly that the kids are struggling, too. And this is one way they can show their support,” Kopps said.
Milwaukee Brewers’ Brian Anderson told WISN 12 a number of Brewers will be taking part Friday.
The Dodgers’ Gavin Lux, who is from Kenosha, posted it on Instagram to his 150,000 followers.
Elmbrook Little League is asking people to set a baseball bat outside their front door in memory of Jackson and in support of the Waukesha Blazers, the team he played for.
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